Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden
Ambassador Animal Program Coordinator
Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States, 73116
Ambassador Animal Program Coordinator
Are you passionate about connecting people with wildlife? Join our team as an Ambassador Animal Program Coordinator, where you’ll lead the daily care, training, and presentation of the Zoo’s incredible ambassador animals. From shaping positive behaviors to inspiring guests during up-close encounters, you’ll play a key role in educating visitors and promoting the Zoo’s mission of conservation.
Employment Information
Employment Status:
Full-Time
FLSA Status:
Non-Exempt
Pay Rate:
$21.20 - $26.50/hr
Experience Required:
Three (3) years of experience working with animals OR an equivalent combination of education and experience. Minimum Education Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Zoology, Psychology or related field.
Department:
Conservation, Education, and Science
Direct Supervisor:
Behavioral Husbandry Coordinator
Supervisory Responsibility:
Direct (0); Indirect (X) varies depending on assignment.
Primary Work Location:
Zoo setting both indoors and outdoors.
Certification:
Valid Oklahoma driver’s license within thirty (30) days of hire and pass driver’s history check.
Other:
Safety‑sensitive position. Subject to pre‑employment and/or periodic background checks, drug testing, and annual tuberculosis testing due to animal exposure.
Job Summary The ambassador animal program coordinator coordinates daily husbandry, welfare, and behavioral training activities for the ambassador animal program. The coordinator also trains staff and volunteers to safely perform husbandry tasks and present animals for educational programs, ensuring animal wellbeing. The role assists with collection planning, exhibit maintenance, and enhances guest experience by presenting animals and interacting with guests.
Essential Job Functions
Perform and coordinate daily animal husbandry tasks and assessments related to food, water, cleanliness, health, animal transfers, behavior, and welfare, while demonstrating technical skills for advanced husbandry and mentoring the work group in best practices.
Assist Behavioral Husbandry Coordinator in daily implementation of policies, procedures, and protocols; model ideal performance; ensure compliance; provide guidance or redirection to peers as needed. Perform additional leadership responsibilities as directed.
Train staff and volunteers on presentation techniques and ambassador animal training for educational programs; monitor handling to ensure welfare standards are met.
Independently maintain, repair, and renovate exhibits, service/work areas, and equipment, including power tools.
Monitor animal health, report concerns, and assist in veterinary medical procedures; provide medication and treatment as directed by veterinary staff; participate in and coordinate veterinary procedures.
Mentor the work group in applying operant conditioning principles for training ambassador animals, husbandry, and veterinary procedures; develop and implement comprehensive training plans.
Follow all Zoo safety and emergency protocols; ensure staff and volunteers follow these protocols under coordinator’s supervision; participate in safety-related issues and drills.
Provide feedback to the Behavioral Husbandry Coordinator regarding hiring needs, selection, and performance management of the immediate work group.
Identify, initiate, and organize work projects for assigned areas; adapt and solve challenges as they arise; acquire supplies and resources.
Ensure purposeful daily enrichment and associated documentation to promote, encourage, and evaluate natural behaviors; mentor work group in refining enrichment plans.
Maintain accurate records and clear communication related to animal care, training, enrichment, welfare assessments, and ambassador animal requests.
Assist with planning and completion of animal transfers.
Facilitate and schedule ambassador animal presentations.
Educate and interact with guests in both formal and informal settings; provide positive, memorable guest experiences.
Represent the Zoo professionally during all hours, including external community events.
Participate in conservation activities that support the Zoo’s mission.
Collaborate with other Zoo departments and coordinate ambassador animal requests to assist other departments in meeting program and revenue goals.
Conduct research on current and new ambassador animal species, gathering information on natural behaviors and life histories.
Support and value all work group members, including volunteers, ensuring mutual success.
Support OKC Zoo’s strategic plan and institutional goals.
Practice and model the Zoo’s core values centered on wildlife, conservation, people, and leadership.
Drive motor vehicles within and outside the Zoo perimeter in support of operations and educational programming all seasons of the year, including animal transports.
Work in a manner that supports and protects the health of the assigned collection; wear assigned PPE and limit exposure to known contagions.
Non‑Essential Job Functions
Perform other duties as assigned.
Seniority Level Mid‑Senior level
Employment Type Full‑time
Job Function Other
Industries Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos
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Employment Information
Employment Status:
Full-Time
FLSA Status:
Non-Exempt
Pay Rate:
$21.20 - $26.50/hr
Experience Required:
Three (3) years of experience working with animals OR an equivalent combination of education and experience. Minimum Education Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Zoology, Psychology or related field.
Department:
Conservation, Education, and Science
Direct Supervisor:
Behavioral Husbandry Coordinator
Supervisory Responsibility:
Direct (0); Indirect (X) varies depending on assignment.
Primary Work Location:
Zoo setting both indoors and outdoors.
Certification:
Valid Oklahoma driver’s license within thirty (30) days of hire and pass driver’s history check.
Other:
Safety‑sensitive position. Subject to pre‑employment and/or periodic background checks, drug testing, and annual tuberculosis testing due to animal exposure.
Job Summary The ambassador animal program coordinator coordinates daily husbandry, welfare, and behavioral training activities for the ambassador animal program. The coordinator also trains staff and volunteers to safely perform husbandry tasks and present animals for educational programs, ensuring animal wellbeing. The role assists with collection planning, exhibit maintenance, and enhances guest experience by presenting animals and interacting with guests.
Essential Job Functions
Perform and coordinate daily animal husbandry tasks and assessments related to food, water, cleanliness, health, animal transfers, behavior, and welfare, while demonstrating technical skills for advanced husbandry and mentoring the work group in best practices.
Assist Behavioral Husbandry Coordinator in daily implementation of policies, procedures, and protocols; model ideal performance; ensure compliance; provide guidance or redirection to peers as needed. Perform additional leadership responsibilities as directed.
Train staff and volunteers on presentation techniques and ambassador animal training for educational programs; monitor handling to ensure welfare standards are met.
Independently maintain, repair, and renovate exhibits, service/work areas, and equipment, including power tools.
Monitor animal health, report concerns, and assist in veterinary medical procedures; provide medication and treatment as directed by veterinary staff; participate in and coordinate veterinary procedures.
Mentor the work group in applying operant conditioning principles for training ambassador animals, husbandry, and veterinary procedures; develop and implement comprehensive training plans.
Follow all Zoo safety and emergency protocols; ensure staff and volunteers follow these protocols under coordinator’s supervision; participate in safety-related issues and drills.
Provide feedback to the Behavioral Husbandry Coordinator regarding hiring needs, selection, and performance management of the immediate work group.
Identify, initiate, and organize work projects for assigned areas; adapt and solve challenges as they arise; acquire supplies and resources.
Ensure purposeful daily enrichment and associated documentation to promote, encourage, and evaluate natural behaviors; mentor work group in refining enrichment plans.
Maintain accurate records and clear communication related to animal care, training, enrichment, welfare assessments, and ambassador animal requests.
Assist with planning and completion of animal transfers.
Facilitate and schedule ambassador animal presentations.
Educate and interact with guests in both formal and informal settings; provide positive, memorable guest experiences.
Represent the Zoo professionally during all hours, including external community events.
Participate in conservation activities that support the Zoo’s mission.
Collaborate with other Zoo departments and coordinate ambassador animal requests to assist other departments in meeting program and revenue goals.
Conduct research on current and new ambassador animal species, gathering information on natural behaviors and life histories.
Support and value all work group members, including volunteers, ensuring mutual success.
Support OKC Zoo’s strategic plan and institutional goals.
Practice and model the Zoo’s core values centered on wildlife, conservation, people, and leadership.
Drive motor vehicles within and outside the Zoo perimeter in support of operations and educational programming all seasons of the year, including animal transports.
Work in a manner that supports and protects the health of the assigned collection; wear assigned PPE and limit exposure to known contagions.
Non‑Essential Job Functions
Perform other duties as assigned.
Seniority Level Mid‑Senior level
Employment Type Full‑time
Job Function Other
Industries Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos
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