Association Of Zoos & Aquariums
Lead Animal Care Specialist-MN and Tropics Trails/Zoologist
Association Of Zoos & Aquariums, Apple Valley, Minnesota, United States
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Minnesota Zoological Gardens
Created by the State of Minnesota, the Minnesota Zoo opened in 1978 with a mission to connect people, animals, and the natural world to save wildlife. Cutting-edge exhibits provide exciting experiences with animals and their habitats introducing guests to species from around the globe. Education programs engage audiences at the Zoo, throughout the region, and around world. Conservation programs protect endangered species and preserve critical ecosystems. Lead Animal Care Specialist-MN and Tropics Trails/Zoologist
This position assists leadership in ensuring the highest quality professional care, training, and wellbeing for the animals on the Tropics and Minnesota Trails at the Minnesota Zoo, in support of the Zoo’s mission to connect people, animals, and the natural world to save wildlife. The incumbent assists with the management of a diverse collection of animals and leads all aspects of daily operations. This position collaborates with the Curator and Assistant Curator to ensure animal husbandry, training and wellbeing practices meet or exceed industry standards. This position is a member of the Animal Care leadership team and collaborates with other Zoo departments. They contribute to initiatives of the CHCB team (Care, Health, Conservation and Behavior) as it relates to the Zoo’s strategic priorities in animal care and education. Duties include but are not limited to: Provide industry-leading animal husbandry and welfare to departmental animal collection. Assist trail leadership in developing and directing the Tropics and Minnesota Trails Department personnel so that required staffing resources are available and strategically invested and department policies are developed and implemented that most effectively support the Minnesota Zoo’s mission and strategic priorities. Deliver and maintain industry-leading, engaging, animal displays which meet and exceed industry welfare standards. Lead efforts to develop innovative new, and improve current, interpretation of animals in the Tropics and Minnesota Trails Department so that Minnesota Zoo visitors and others receive educational and entertaining presentations featuring mission driven information. Serve as a member of the Animal Care leadership team ensuring development and accomplishment of the Minnesota Zoo’s mission, strategic priorities, conservation plan, education plan, nature plan and master plan. Qualifications The following qualifications are required of all applicants seeking consideration for this position. Only applicants whose application materials clearly demonstrate fulfillment of each of these minimum qualifications will be considered for the position. To ensure accurate evaluation, your resume must clearly describe your experience in the required areas. For each job, include whether it was full-time, part-time, or intermittent/on-call; how many hours per week you worked; and the month and year you started and ended. Expertise in animal care, wellbeing, behavior, training, and sustainable population management Well-developed human relationship skills sufficient to lead, motivate, mentor and educate staff and respond with sensitivity to their varied needs Demonstrated commitment and ability to work with culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities and/or organizations sufficient to maintain a work environment that respects and values differences and diversity Ability to manage disagreement, defuse conflicts, and reach constructive solutions while maintaining positive relationships Ability to act as an official professional representative and promote the philosophy and mission of the Zoo at public speaking events to local, state, and national audiences Valid driver’s license and valid and current passport (or ability to obtain) Current CPR/1st Aid certifications Preferred Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in zoology, conservation biology, ecology, environmental science or other related discipline Advanced degree in related field Experience working with and leading others working with carnivores Experience in participation or lead work in an AZA management program (TAGs, SSPs, studbook, etc.) Experience working with State government Experience working in a union environment Fluent in a second language, such as Spanish, Hmong, ASL, etc. Determined based on education and qualifications How to Apply
Apply online by
Tues.day, November 18, 2025 Minnesota Zoological Gardens 13000 Zoo Boulevard Apple Valey, MN 55124
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Created by the State of Minnesota, the Minnesota Zoo opened in 1978 with a mission to connect people, animals, and the natural world to save wildlife. Cutting-edge exhibits provide exciting experiences with animals and their habitats introducing guests to species from around the globe. Education programs engage audiences at the Zoo, throughout the region, and around world. Conservation programs protect endangered species and preserve critical ecosystems. Lead Animal Care Specialist-MN and Tropics Trails/Zoologist
This position assists leadership in ensuring the highest quality professional care, training, and wellbeing for the animals on the Tropics and Minnesota Trails at the Minnesota Zoo, in support of the Zoo’s mission to connect people, animals, and the natural world to save wildlife. The incumbent assists with the management of a diverse collection of animals and leads all aspects of daily operations. This position collaborates with the Curator and Assistant Curator to ensure animal husbandry, training and wellbeing practices meet or exceed industry standards. This position is a member of the Animal Care leadership team and collaborates with other Zoo departments. They contribute to initiatives of the CHCB team (Care, Health, Conservation and Behavior) as it relates to the Zoo’s strategic priorities in animal care and education. Duties include but are not limited to: Provide industry-leading animal husbandry and welfare to departmental animal collection. Assist trail leadership in developing and directing the Tropics and Minnesota Trails Department personnel so that required staffing resources are available and strategically invested and department policies are developed and implemented that most effectively support the Minnesota Zoo’s mission and strategic priorities. Deliver and maintain industry-leading, engaging, animal displays which meet and exceed industry welfare standards. Lead efforts to develop innovative new, and improve current, interpretation of animals in the Tropics and Minnesota Trails Department so that Minnesota Zoo visitors and others receive educational and entertaining presentations featuring mission driven information. Serve as a member of the Animal Care leadership team ensuring development and accomplishment of the Minnesota Zoo’s mission, strategic priorities, conservation plan, education plan, nature plan and master plan. Qualifications The following qualifications are required of all applicants seeking consideration for this position. Only applicants whose application materials clearly demonstrate fulfillment of each of these minimum qualifications will be considered for the position. To ensure accurate evaluation, your resume must clearly describe your experience in the required areas. For each job, include whether it was full-time, part-time, or intermittent/on-call; how many hours per week you worked; and the month and year you started and ended. Expertise in animal care, wellbeing, behavior, training, and sustainable population management Well-developed human relationship skills sufficient to lead, motivate, mentor and educate staff and respond with sensitivity to their varied needs Demonstrated commitment and ability to work with culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities and/or organizations sufficient to maintain a work environment that respects and values differences and diversity Ability to manage disagreement, defuse conflicts, and reach constructive solutions while maintaining positive relationships Ability to act as an official professional representative and promote the philosophy and mission of the Zoo at public speaking events to local, state, and national audiences Valid driver’s license and valid and current passport (or ability to obtain) Current CPR/1st Aid certifications Preferred Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in zoology, conservation biology, ecology, environmental science or other related discipline Advanced degree in related field Experience working with and leading others working with carnivores Experience in participation or lead work in an AZA management program (TAGs, SSPs, studbook, etc.) Experience working with State government Experience working in a union environment Fluent in a second language, such as Spanish, Hmong, ASL, etc. Determined based on education and qualifications How to Apply
Apply online by
Tues.day, November 18, 2025 Minnesota Zoological Gardens 13000 Zoo Boulevard Apple Valey, MN 55124
#J-18808-Ljbffr