The Houston Zoo has an opening for a supervisor position in the sea lion department. This section is currently in the planning phase of a new state of the industry sea lion area that will include exhibits and a show stadium. The area will house California sea lions, a seal species and bird or small mammal species that will appear in presentations.
The successful candidate will be self-motivated and demonstrate leadership skills as well as have show development experience. The Houston Zoo places a high priority on guest experience and the leader of this area will continue to develop these skills within the team.
This position oversees three full time keepers and a fourth keeper position that is shared with the carnivore team. This supervisor also backs up the carnivore team supervisor when needed. The area currently houses four California sea lions; a breeding male, two females and a castrated male.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Directs personnel, including volunteers, in the care, maintenance and display of domestic and exotic animals.
Interviews, recommends hiring, pay changes, and recommends and administers disciplinary actions.
Directs, organizes, prioritizes, and schedules work assignments within section.
Observes and evaluates animal conditions, behaviors, and responses and communicates observations orally and on written reports.
Improves the quality of life of the animal population by providing environmental and behavioral enrichment opportunities.
Trains selected animals through operant conditioning for purposes of gaining cooperation for veterinary treatment and/or public demonstrations.
Design and maintains exhibit furnishings, props and decorations providing safe, attractive and enriching environments.
Participates in the development of educational programming and materials to communicate with and educate visitors about animals and conservation.
Provides direct animal care as needed for health and well-being of animals within assigned areas.
In collaboration with the Curator and Veterinary staff, may administer medication as directed.
Develops and prepares operational procedures.
Serves as institutional representative for selected species to national taxa advisory groups, attending conferences and meetings as required.
Directly involved in acquisition/disposition of specific animals.
Initiates requisitions for equipment and supplies.
JOB REQUIREMENTS:
EXPERIENCE:
Four years of experience in exotic animal care in a zoological facility are required. Additional experience may be substituted for education at the rate of six months of experience per 15 hours of college level credit.
A certificate of completion from an acceptable animal care program may be substituted for one year of exotic animal care experience.
In certain positions, specific training and work experience in zoological, aquacultural, ecological and biological areas such as in schools, aquariums, nature centers, agricultural operations, animal merchandizing and conservation centers may be substituted for direct exotic animal care in a zoological facility.
KNOWLEDGE:
An associate’s degree or two years of college level education (60 semester credit hours) in zoology, biology, animal husbandry or a related field of which 24 semester hours must be credit hours in life sciences or physical sciences.
A certificate of completion from an acceptable animal care program of not less than 30 semester hours may be substituted for 30 hours of college hours.
SUPERVISION:
Supervises a small team of animal care staff
SKILLS:
PHYSICAL EFFORT:
The position involves considerable physical exertion, such as regular climbing of ladders, lifting of heavy objects (up to 80 pounds) on a highly frequent basis and/or assuming awkward positions.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
There are routine exposures to significant levels of heat, cold, moisture and air pollution. The position may involve exposure to chemical substances and physical trauma of a minor nature such as cuts, bruises and minor burns.
PHYSICAL SKILL:
Requires the ability to make closely coordinated eye/hand movements within very fine tolerance and/or calibration demands; or the ability to make rapid closely coordinated eye/hand movements on a patterned response space within somewhat fine tolerance demands; or the ability to make coordinated eye/hand movements within fine tolerances with large equipment as an extension of the worker.
PUBLIC CONTACT:
Requires heavy public contact requiring considerable interpersonal skill, extensive interaction with the public and with donors, members and the press requiring a high degree of appreciation of customer service
Applicants can visit http://www.houstonzoo.org/careers to download an application
E-mail resume and completed application to careers@houstonzoo.org
Houston Zoo is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer