Facility
Houston Zoo
Closing Date
[jobclosingdate]
Description
Our Mission: Houston Zoo connects communities with animals, inspiring action to save wildlife.
Our Vision: Houston Zoo will be a leader in the global movement to save wildlife.
The Houston Zoo seeks a motivated individual to serve as our General Curator. The ideal candidate will possess established skills with handling all aspects of animal management, including husbandry, training, enrichment, exhibit design, and maintenance. We seek someone with extensive background in oversight of the Animal Programs division, including direct supervision of multiple Animal Curators. This position reports to the Vice President of Animal Operations.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Oversight of animal care including recruitment, selection, development, and performance management
Provides direction, technical guidance, and operational assistance to departmental staff in the care, maintenance, and display of exotic and domestic animals
Ensures excellence in management of the animal collection; drives continuous improvements in animal care and welfare. Works to ensure achievement of institutional welfare program goals.
Ensures documentation of all aspects of animal management and utilizes this information for trouble-shooting and problem solving.
Communicates departmental program needs to the Vice President of Animal Operations for the advancement of animal care/services, facilities and equipment
May participate in research projects for husbandry, breeding, welfare, behavior, or conservation of both captive and wild populations of animals
Assists the Vice President as a technical expert and key spokesperson with regards to animal care and in potential crisis situations, as needed. Serves as internal public relations and media liaison for the animal care department.
Primary leader in the development, implementation and communication of animal collection and management plans that support organizational goals and objectives. Ensures adherence to institutional collection plan criteria, including factors related to field conservation impact and animal welfare.
Works with the Vice President of Animal Operations to develop and ensure implementation of standard operating guidelines, safety protocols, and emergency procedures
Creates and fosters a culture of organizational and departmental safety
Ensures that all animal areas and service facilities are maintained to exceed HZI, AZA, USDA, and all other regulatory agency requirements
Maintains qualified firearms status+
ABOUT HOUSTON ZOO
The Houston Zoo is made up of many moving parts with over 6,000 permanent residents (our animals) for whom we provide housing, meals, medical care and, yes, even education! There are over 2 million guests each year who come to experience our incredible variety of animals and ecosystems, as well as attend special private and public events and entertainment. Our dedicated staff works around the clock to ensure that the Zoo is always running smoothly for the safety and well-being of our residents and guests. We strive to ensure the protection of all the counterparts of the animals we have at the Zoo and in the wild.
Join the Houston Zoo and become a part of an organization that is focused on the preservation of wildlife and their habitats by combining conservation with education and promotion of sustainable livelihoods in the local communities. Houston Zoo is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Education and Pre-requisites
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Bachelor’s degree in zoology, biology, animal husbandry, or related field is highly preferred; an advanced degree is preferred. Associate’s degree in zoology, biology, animal husbandry, or related field is required.
Ten years of progressively more responsible management experience at an
AZA or equivalent facility is required.
Strong interpersonal, team-building, and communication skills; must possess the ability to effectively partner with other departments, all levels of staff, and both internal and external stakeholders
Compensation and benefits
C.O.E.
Application instructions
Applicants can visit www.houstonzoo.org/careers to download an application
E-mail resume and completed application to careers@houstonzoo.org