Facility
El Paso Zoo
Closing Date
[jobclosingdate]
Description
The City of El Paso is seeking a highly motivated and innovative individual to serve in the position of Zoo Collection Supervisor. Depending on the vacancy, candidate may be assigned to different areas of the Zoo. Current vacancy is for:
Americas Area that contains: alligator, blue and gold macaw, bolson tortoise, California sea lion, capybara, cotton top tamarin, emerald tree boa, Galapagos tortoise, gila monster, guanaco, harris hawk, inca tern, Mexican wolf, ocelot, the animals of the Spanish explorers.
Program animals…invertebrates, birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians…to include an expanded program animal collection and a future flighted bird program component.
As part of a funded Bond Project & Master Plan schedule, the zoo is to construct a new Chihuahuan Desert section, as well as provide new facilities for current and future animal species/types [future species/types to include giant anteater, a South American penguin species, flamingos, coati, touch-tank animals and more].
Typical Duties
Oversee animal feeding, exhibitry, sheltering and handling. Involves: Directing and aiding others in the husbandry, care, refinement and development, positive conditioning training, environmental enrichment, and feeding and watering of zoo animals. Monitor animals for illness, injury or unusual behavior and take appropriate action. Assist with veterinary care. Help and direct others in the capture, restraint and transport of animals for veterinary and collections staff to administer treatments. Keep detailed records of animal behavior, physical condition, reproduction, genealogy and other animal information. Ensure proper maintenance of animal exhibit and off-exhibit areas. Routinely inspect animal enclosures, service areas and facilities for cleanliness, sanitation and structural defects. Coordinate repairs with maintenance.
Coordinate the shipment of animals. Involves: Set up flights to transport animals to and from other zoos or other entities. Provide flight information to staff and the shipping or receiving entity. Ensure that appropriate paperwork including medical records, keeper forms, and diet information accompany animal. Prepare animal and appropriate shipping container for shipment. Communicate with the other entity regarding the status of animal being transferred.
Perform administrative duties. Involves: Obtain budget information and provide detailed, written reports. Attend meetings and make recommendations to management for modifications and improvements in staff assignments, animal care, animal programming, and other animal management and facility management practices and procedures. Requisition animal food and supplies. Assume leadership role in emergency response situations as needed. Provide information about the zoo, its animals, programs and facilities to internal and external customers and the public as needed. Input information into various computer software programs and prepare appropriate reports.
Supervise assigned staff. Involves: Supervise directly and through subordinate staff. Schedule, assign, instruct, guide and check work. Appraise employee performance. Provide training and development. Enforce personnel rules and regulations and work behavior standards firmly and impartially. Counsel, motivate and maintain harmony. Interview applicants. Recommend hiring, termination, discipline, merit pay or other employee status changes. Enforce animal and staff safety standards.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
• Application of considerable knowledge of exotic animal care feeding and handling methods and techniques.
• Application of considerable knowledge of supervisory principles and practices.
• Application of considerable knowledge of exotic animal behavior, animal health including diseases, nutrition and environment and husbandry techniques.
• Application of considerable knowledge of animal and staff safety procedures.
• Application of good knowledge of animal environmental enrichment and positive conditioning training.
• Application of good knowledge of design, construction and maintenance of animal enclosures and exhibit displays, horticultural enhancement, and zoo equipment maintenance methods and techniques.
• Supervise, train and evaluate assigned staff.
• Identify unusual animal behavior and take corrective action.
• Maintain detailed records.
• Handle, restrain and transport zoo animals.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, other zoo professionals and the general public.
OTHER JOB CHARACTERISTICS:
• Requires mobility within a zoo environment.
• Works around a variety of animal species with potential for physical harm from bites, kicks, heavy lifting, or surgical instruments.
• Exposure to infectious diseases from daily contact with exotic and domestic animals including bacterial, fungal, parasitic and viral pathogens.
• Exposure to extreme weather conditions during animal emergencies.
Education and Pre-requisites
Candidate must have a High School diploma or GED, and six (6) years zoo animal care experience, including two (2) years supervisory experience.
Compensation and benefits
Salary: $15.81 hourly
Application instructions
Applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. To apply go to www.elpasotexas.gov Applications are only accepted online. This position will close when a preset number of qualified applications have been received.