Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance
Lead Animal Care Specialist - Hoofstock
Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance, Denver, Colorado, United States, 80202
Lead Animal Care Specialist - Hoofstock
Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance (DZCA) honors our animals, staff, and guests by conducting ourselves at the highest level of integrity through our Core Actions -- Inspire Awe: Safety, Care, Connect, and by embracing our Core Values of: Welcoming, Curious, United, Courageous, and Transformative in all that we do. The Lead Animal Care Specialist- Hoofstock supports the daily operations of the Hoofstock department, which includes a variety of species, including giraffe, lesser kudu, Somali wild ass, eastern bongo, and others. While the majority of the role involves standard Animal Care Specialist duties, the Lead also provides essential team support. This includes assisting with scheduling, work orders, operational planning, and coordination of area activities, as well as offering peer mentorship and guidance. The Lead also helps field calls and manage requests in the absence of the Assistant Curator. This is not a supervisory position, but it carries elevated responsibilities in support of the team and department operations. Our team is made up of passionate and diverse professionals dedicated to providing excellent care for our animals while creating meaningful experiences for our guests. If you're excited to contribute your skills in a collaborative and innovative environment, Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance is the place for you! Essential Duties and Responsibilities Provide innovative animal husbandry that follows or exceeds AZA and USDA standards. Maintain proper animal enclosures/props/exhibits and Life Support Systems, where appropriate, to meet all species' needs and requirements. Capture, handle, and move animals using accepted DZCA practices to facilitate internal movement, external shipping, medical procedures, or normal routines. Monitor physical and behavioral aspects of the animals under assigned care. Implement behavioral programs that support species-appropriate behaviors and advance medical and daily care routines. Record data and prepare assigned reports and logs (e.g., daily reports, enclosure logs, facility logs, water quality data) to inform ongoing care and operational improvement. In addition, the Lead Animal Care Specialist may: Help maintain an animal training program consistent with DZCA's philosophy and AZA standards. Assist with scheduling, planning, work orders, and coordination of area activities. Coordinate the efforts of contractors and maintenance staff working in animal areas. Perform traditional Animal Care Specialist duties while also guiding team consistency and operational follow-through. Collaboration Work closely with other team members to achieve area goals and expectations. Train fellow Animal Care Specialists, interns, and volunteers in standard routines and best practices for animal care. Cooperate and coordinate with other departments (e.g., education, maintenance, horticulture) and outside contractors. Maintain professional working relationships with zoo team members. Actively participate in conservation and research projects as assigned. Participate in and support zoo-wide initiatives, committees, and workgroups. In addition, the Lead Animal Care Specialist may: Act as the point of contact in the absence of the Assistant Curator for calls, questions, or team needs. Collaborate with the Curator, Assistant Curator, or Duty Officer on planning, communication, and execution of area goals. Support team feedback and acts as a peer resource for technical questions and operational context. Represent DZCA in AZA or other external communications when assigned. Guest Experience Interact with DZCA guests in both formal and informal settings, providing insight into the animals and their care. Provide area behind-the-scenes tours, up-close looks, keeper talks, and special events in areas of responsibility as needed. Participate in educational programs as assigned. Maintain a professional appearance, following uniform guidelines. Facilities and Operations Respond to zoo-wide animal-related emergencies. Coordinate with contractors and maintenance staff when they are working in animal areas. Follow DZCA safety protocols. Demonstrate a commitment to DZCA's Occupational Health, Safety, Environmental & Sustainability Policies by adhering to all environmental, safety, and health regulations, procedures, and goals. In addition, the Lead Animal Care Specialist may: Support daily oversight of area logistics such as equipment needs, alerts, or updates from maintenance or horticulture teams. Help troubleshoot and resolve day-to-day operational issues in partnership with the Assistant Curator. Assist in implementing area-specific projects or improvements in coordination with other departments. Other Duties and Responsibilities Other assistance, as designated by the Assistant Curator, to support the overall goals of the department and organization. DZCA retains the right to add or change duties and/or responsibilities at any time. Acts as a good steward of DZCA resources. The nature of this position requires safeguarding against the release of confidential and proprietary information of Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance. This position will interact with managers at all levels and staff members across the organization, in addition to members of external organizations and the public. Technical / Professional Requirements & Qualifications A total of 8 years combined experience between education AND animal care experience in the care, feeding, and handling of a variety of exotic animals in an AZA-accredited institution. Degree in Zoo Animal Technology, Biology, or science-based field, or animal behavior/psychology required, or in a related field. Experience in the care, feeding, and handling of a variety of exotic animals in an AZA-accredited institution. Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite, are preferred. Requires organizational skills, written and oral communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to initiate and prioritize work and tasks. Requires adaptability to produce and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, multi-tasking, and changing environment, and the ability to work as part of a team. Position Conditions To support our operations, candidates must be at least 21 years of age with a valid driver's license and a clean driving record. Ability to pass a physical examination, background check, and pre-employment drug and alcohol screen. Ability to lift to 50 lbs. Negative TB Test Rabies Titer Ability to work weekends and holidays. On campus. Compensation The range for this position is $23.59 - $28.90 (hourly). A Truly Wild Workplace with Competitive Benefits Join our One Zoo Team and enjoy a full spectrum of competitive benefits, including: Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage Generous paid time off: vacation, sick leave, personal days, and holidays Family Plus Denver Zoo Membership Concession and retail discounts Application Process and Timelines Resumes / Completed applications must be submitted by August 20th, 2025. Review of applications will begin immediately. DZCA reserves the right to close the position before this date. Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance (DZCA) honors our animals, staff, and guests by conducting ourselves at the highest level of integrity through our Core Actions -- Inspire Awe: Safety, Care, Connect, and by embracing our Core Values of: Welcoming, Curious, United, Courageous, and Transformative in all that we do. The Lead Animal Care Specialist- Hoofstock supports the daily operations of the Hoofstock department, which includes a variety of species, including giraffe, lesser kudu, Somali wild ass, eastern bongo, and others. While the majority of the role involves standard Animal Care Specialist duties, the Lead also provides essential team support. This includes assisting with scheduling, work orders, operational planning, and coordination of area activities, as well as offering peer mentorship and guidance. The Lead also helps field calls and manage requests in the absence of the Assistant Curator. This is not a supervisory position, but it carries elevated responsibilities in support of the team and department operations. Our team is made up of passionate and diverse professionals dedicated to providing excellent care for our animals while creating meaningful experiences for our guests. If you're excited to contribute your skills in a collaborative and innovative environment, Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance is the place for you! Essential Duties and Responsibilities Provide innovative animal husbandry that follows or exceeds AZA and USDA standards. Maintain proper animal enclosures/props/exhibits and Life Support Systems, where appropriate, to meet all species' needs and requirements. Capture, handle, and move animals using accepted DZCA practices to facilitate internal movement, external shipping, medical procedures, or normal routines. Monitor physical and behavioral aspects of the animals under assigned care. Implement behavioral programs that support species-appropriate behaviors and advance medical and daily care routines. Record data and prepare assigned reports and logs (e.g., daily reports, enclosure logs, facility logs, water quality data) to inform ongoing care and operational improvement. In addition, the Lead Animal Care Specialist may: Help maintain an animal training program consistent with DZCA's philosophy and AZA standards. Assist with scheduling, planning, work orders, and coordination of area activities. Coordinate the efforts of contractors and maintenance staff working in animal areas. Perform traditional Animal Care Specialist duties while also guiding team consistency and operational follow-through. Collaboration Work closely with other team members to achieve area goals and expectations. Train fellow Animal Care Specialists, interns, and volunteers in standard routines and best practices for animal care. Cooperate and coordinate with other departments (e.g., education, maintenance, horticulture) and outside contractors. Maintain professional working relationships with zoo team members. Actively participate in conservation and research projects as assigned. Participate in and support zoo-wide initiatives, committees, and workgroups. In addition, the Lead Animal Care Specialist may: Act as the point of contact in the absence of the Assistant Curator for calls, questions, or team needs. Collaborate with the Curator, Assistant Curator, or Duty Officer on planning, communication, and execution of area goals. Support team feedback and acts as a peer resource for technical questions and operational context. Represent DZCA in AZA or other external communications when assigned. Guest Experience Interact with DZCA guests in both formal and informal settings, providing insight into the animals and their care. Provide area behind-the-scenes tours, up-close looks, keeper talks, and special events in areas of responsibility as needed. Participate in educational programs as assigned. Maintain a professional appearance, following uniform guidelines. Facilities and Operations Respond to zoo-wide animal-related emergencies. Coordinate with contractors and maintenance staff when they are working in animal areas. Follow DZCA safety protocols. Demonstrate a commitment to DZCA's Occupational Health, Safety, Environmental & Sustainability Policies by adhering to all environmental, safety, and health regulations, procedures, and goals. In addition, the Lead Animal Care Specialist may: Support daily oversight of area logistics such as equipment needs, alerts, or updates from maintenance or horticulture teams. Help troubleshoot and resolve day-to-day operational issues in partnership with the Assistant Curator. Assist in implementing area-specific projects or improvements in coordination with other departments. Other Duties and Responsibilities Other assistance, as designated by the Assistant Curator, to support the overall goals of the department and organization. DZCA retains the right to add or change duties and/or responsibilities at any time. Acts as a good steward of DZCA resources. The nature of this position requires safeguarding against the release of confidential and proprietary information of Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance. This position will interact with managers at all levels and staff members across the organization, in addition to members of external organizations and the public. Technical / Professional Requirements & Qualifications A total of 8 years combined experience between education AND animal care experience in the care, feeding, and handling of a variety of exotic animals in an AZA-accredited institution. Degree in Zoo Animal Technology, Biology, or science-based field, or animal behavior/psychology required, or in a related field. Experience in the care, feeding, and handling of a variety of exotic animals in an AZA-accredited institution. Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite, are preferred. Requires organizational skills, written and oral communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to initiate and prioritize work and tasks. Requires adaptability to produce and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, multi-tasking, and changing environment, and the ability to work as part of a team. Position Conditions To support our operations, candidates must be at least 21 years of age with a valid driver's license and a clean driving record. Ability to pass a physical examination, background check, and pre-employment drug and alcohol screen. Ability to lift to 50 lbs. Negative TB Test Rabies Titer Ability to work weekends and holidays. On campus. Compensation The range for this position is $23.59 - $28.90 (hourly). A Truly Wild Workplace with Competitive Benefits Join our One Zoo Team and enjoy a full spectrum of competitive benefits, including: Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage Generous paid time off: vacation, sick leave, personal days, and holidays Family Plus Denver Zoo Membership Concession and retail discounts Application Process and Timelines Resumes / Completed applications must be submitted by August 20th, 2025. Review of applications will begin immediately. DZCA reserves the right to close the position before this date. Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected status, or any other characteristic protected by law.