Zoo Manager

Facility

Henry Vilas Zoo

Closing Date

[jobclosingdate]

Description

Description
The Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison, Wisconsin is recruiting for a full-time (1.0 FTE) Zoo Manager position. The Eligibility List created will be used to fill future vacancies over the next six (6) months.

Equity, Definition and Examples of Duties
COMMITMENT TO EQUITY AND INCLUSION

As an employer, we strive to provide a work environment where diversity and differing opinions are valued, creativity is encouraged, continuous learning and improvement are fostered, teamwork and open/honest communication are encouraged, and meeting customer needs through quality service is a shared goal. All employees must be able to demonstrate multicultural competence – the awareness, knowledge, and skills needed to work with others who are culturally different from self in meaningful, relevant, and productive ways. Applicants from traditionally underrepresented populations including women, racial and ethnic minorities, and persons with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.

DEFINITION

Under the general supervision of the Zoo’s General Curator, the Zoological Manager (ZM) is the primary person responsible for the Zoo’s animals, habitat, and personnel staffing. Plans, coordinates and directs personnel throughout the animal department to ensure that the collection and facilities are maintained in a safe and healthy manner.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Assigns, coordinates, evaluates and manages Zoo staff to ensure the well-being of a diverse animal collection and provides a safe and enjoyable visitor experience. Develops, recommends and evaluates programs to ensure the highest quality of animal welfare. Continually observes and evaluates animal behavior, social interaction, feeding and breeding to promote optimal animal health. Evaluates animal health records. Works cooperatively with the staff to develop standard operating protocols for animal care, diet and nutrition, health, behavioral and habitat enrichment, veterinary care, facility upkeep and exhibit maintenance. Works with veterinary staff, under the direction of the General Curator to develop, implement and evaluate animal health care protocols. As directed by veterinarian, draws bodily fluids, takes tissue and fecal samples and administers medications to ensure optimal health. Plans, directs and safely executes animal procedures, restraint and exams. Coordinates safe animal handling with veterinary team, keepers and Zoo leadership. Collaborates with leadership team to develop implement and evaluate staff and visitor safety protocols. Effectively schedules staff resources to provide high quality animal care and a safe visitor experience. In collaboration with Zoo Leadership team, coordinates and manages repairs to exhibit buildings, grounds and zoo equipment. Communicates, assists and interacts positively with visitors, volunteers and staff. Encourages staff development by providing regular and timely goals, work assessments and feedback. Continually seeks to improve animal care to provide the highest welfare possible. Takes action necessary to meet or exceed accreditation standards of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Works closely with leadership team to recommend animal exhibit designs and improvements that meet or exceed all industry standards. Effectively recommends or completes, personnel actions including: hiring, termination, discipline and grievance responses, completes probationary and regular annual employee performance evaluations. Perform the role of Zoo Duty Manager overseeing Zoo operations and emergency response. Completes purchasing for Zoo animal areas while remaining within budgetary limits. Works with outside contractors and suppliers as a representative of the Zoo to manage equipment maintenance and purchases. Acts as the representative for the Zoo in the absence of the Director Deputy Director and General Curator. Responsible for animal husbandry, enrichment and welfare of the zoo’s entire collection. Ensures that the Zoo’s internal animal records are up to date and maintained in accordance with zoo policy, state and federal regulations and national animal record keeping standards.

Education, Experience & Special Requirements
Education, Training and Experience:

Any combination of education, training and/or experience equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in biological science, animal husbandry or related field. A minimum of five (5) years of paid AZA experience consisting of one (1) year lead worker role managing a diverse animal collection and operation of an AZA accredited zoo.

Special Requirements:

Must serve on the Dangerous Animal Response team including the use of firearms and immobilization equipment. Must be available for work on any needed nights, weekends, holidays, and emergencies. Must have a valid driver’s license, or access to reliable personal transportation, or equivalent.

Background Check Statement: Some positions may require a criminal background check which can include fingerprinting due to the nature of the job’s responsibilities. Wisconsin’s Fair Employment Law, s. 111.31 – 111.395, Wis. Stats., prohibits discrimination because of an arrest or conviction record. However, Dane County may disqualify an applicant if the position’s responsibilities are substantially related to the applicant’s criminal history (e.g., the nature of the crime and its relationship to the position, whether hiring, transferring or promoting an applicant would pose an unreasonable risk to the business, its employees, customers and vendors, etc.) Management reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

Physical and Environmental Work Requirements:

Ability to work indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions. Ability to walk, sit and stand for long periods of time. Ability to see and hear within normal ranges with or without adaptive devices. Ability to speak and be heard. Ability to sit, stand, stoop, bend; use finger, wrist and hand motions.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Demonstrated ability to work well in collaborative relationships across organizations and teams. Strong supervisory skills. Experience hiring and disciplining staff, and conducting performance reviews. Experience training, monitoring and scheduling staff. Displays knowledge of the basic biology, behavior, training and husbandry of animals. Excellent communication, customer service, and staff coordination skills. Excellent verbal, written and presentation skills; with the ability to prepare and present public animal demonstrations to Zoo visitors and guests. Basic understanding of computer programs including Microsoft Office Suite (e.g., Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.) and knowledge of or ability to learn the Zoo Information Management System (ZIMS).

Education and Pre-requisites

Not specified.

Compensation and benefits