Santa Barbara Zoo
Zoological Manager Position at Santa Barbara Zoo
Are you an experienced keeper ready to take on a leadership role? The Santa Barbara Zoo is seeking a Zoological Manager to manage daily animal care operations, supervise Animal Care Supervisors and Keepers, and ensure the highest standards of animal welfare. Lead a dynamic team and contribute to wildlife conservation and education in a meaningful way! Position Status: Regular, Full-Time, Salary, Exempt Schedule: Sunday - Thursday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Compensation: $66,350- $69,850 per year, dependent on experience Under the general direction of the Director of Animal Care and the VP of Animal Care & Health, the Zoological Manager is responsible for managing daily animal care operations, optimizing animal care and wellbeing, ensuring the maintenance of exhibits, providing a positive guest experience, supervising Animal Care Supervisors and all Keeper positions, and assisting with animal population and departmental strategic initiatives. Essential Duties: Animal Care & Welfare
Manages the Animal Care Supervisors and provides leadership and operational coaching and mentoring, delegating operational supervisory tasks and assigning direct reports (Keepers) to the Animal Care Supervisor as appropriate. Manages and supports a team of Keepers in providing the highest standards of care to ensure the health and well-being of the animal collection Acts as a role model/leader in animal husbandry, health issues, and welfare Applies an understanding of animal husbandry, health, and welfare to determine animal management direction, including operational procedures Recognizes and determines the seriousness of abnormal behavior and medical conditions Recognizes the importance of animal welfare and is responsible for regularly assessing the welfare of animals through daily operations and population-level welfare assessments, including collation of assessments and completion of identified actions, and strives to optimize welfare for all animals under their care A member of the Animal Welfare Assessment Working Group, which meets quarterly to review assessments, evaluate the assessment process, and identify and address welfare concerns Confirms regular adherence to USDA Animal Welfare Act, regional, federal, and AZA standards associated with animal care and welfare Ensures that all animal husbandry and health duties are performed in the safest manner, following established standard operating guidelines (SOGs) and protocols Identifies specific animal husbandry/health problems and implements a systematic approach to solving the problem Communicates veterinary and animal husbandry information in a timely manner to the keeper team, Animal Care & Health team, and Senior Management staff Works collaboratively with the Veterinarians and Veterinary staff to ensure the highest level of medical care for the animals in the collection Works collaboratively with the Nutritionist to ensure optimal nutrition and feeding strategies for the animals in the collection Supports and promotes the Enriched Experiences and Animal Training Programs in order to advance the behavioral enrichment program Responsible for ensuring application of animal training to optimize care and welfare, identifies and prioritizes training goals, supports keepers in developing shaping and training plans, and collaborates with the animal training consultants to achieve training goals and advance the training program Responsible for ensuring application of enrichment and enriching experiences to optimize care and welfare, identifies and prioritizes enrichment goals, evaluates enrichment activity schedules & devices to determine effectiveness, and collaborates with enrichment consultants to achieve enrichment goals and advance the behavioral enrichment program Supports the Enriched Experiences Program in order to advance the behavioral enrichment program Collaborates with Animal Management Team to help develop and support the Ambassador Animal Program Collaborates with the Animal Care team and other zoo departments on exhibit/animal space modifications and enhancements, and designs new exhibits/animal spaces to optimize animal wellbeing and the guest experience Develops, reviews, and updates all applicable SOGs and protocols for animal husbandry and the Ambassador Animal Program Supports the goals of breeding programs for managed populations (SSPs) and may be assigned as an institutional representative for managed populations (SSPs) Knowledge of AZA accreditation standards and AZA animal programs Responsible for ensuring animal daily records are entered into the electronic recordkeeping system (ZIMS) Evaluates the content and completeness of daily records in the team area Collaborates with the Vice President of Animal Care & Health, Director of Animal Care, Animal Care staff, and other zoo departments to develop, review, and modify the animal population plan Collaborates with Animal Care & Health Managers to develop departmental goals and implement departmental strategic initiatives that align with organizational priorities and strategy Collaborates effectively with other departments such as Education, Guest Services, Institutional Advancement, and Marketing to achieve the goals of the AC&H department and zoo-wide programs Other duties as assigned Conservation & Science
Collaborates with the Conservation & Science department to support participation in local conservation programs and fieldwork opportunities Collaborates with the Director of Conservation & Science, Veterinarians, and the Director of Animal Care to fulfill institutionally approved research requests Supports in-house research activities and welfare studies Actively encourages and supports Keepers to participate in AZA animal programs (TAGs, SAGs, SSPs, SAFE programs, committees) and leads by example by supporting AZA animal programs, such as SSP coordinator, studbook keeper, TAG/ SAG/SAFE/other committee member or other Emergency Situations
Acts as incident commander in animal escape situations or other emergency situations Responds to animal emergencies quickly and calculates risks involved for animals, guests, and staff Remains calm and creates an atmosphere of calm and control for those dealing with the emergency situation Utilizes emergency chemical immobilization as required Uses capture equipment when required Evaluates the impact of emergency or mock situations on all areas of the Zoo and suggests improvements to the emergency response systems Active participant in the Weapons Team Guest Relations
Ensures exhibit presentation quality standards for cleanliness and maintenance to maximize our guest experience Responsibility for appropriate, well-maintained graphics and signage at exhibits Interacts with guests to assist and share information about animal care and wellbeing Responds to all guest inquiries, complaints, and comments according to Zoo guest relations procedures Develops and facilitates formal and informal educational programs Staff Development
Supervises Animal Care Supervisors, Animal Care Keepers, Volunteers, and Interns, and/or performs duties of direct reports as needed Shares critical information, best practices, and procedures on a consistent basis with staff Participates regularly in training provided by the zoo and by external consultants/classes for the development of their leadership skills and for their direct reports, including but not limited to coaching, difficult conversations, providing feedback, conflict resolution, and time management Provides staff coaching and feedback on a regular basis to direct reports and coaches coworkers, volunteers, and interns, and provides informal feedback as needed Provides leadership coaching and development for Animal Care Supervisors Performs regular formal evaluations for staff Promotes a collaborative relationship across the whole AC&H department and with other zoo departments Provides staff training on animal handling, capture, restraint, animal training, enrichment, and animal welfare Collaborates with the Director of Animal Care to develop and implement professional development opportunities and plans for the Keepers that relate to animal care, animal welfare, animal training, behavioral enrichment, AZA programs, public relations, interpersonal skills, and leadership skills Proactively supports opportunities for the Keepers to contribute to conservation programs and participate in conservation fieldwork Encourages staff to present at scientific meetings/workshops/conferences, to give informal presentations, and to prepare scientific papers or articles for publication Collaborates with the Director of Animal Care in staff assessment, the hiring process, development of performance improvement plans, and termination processes Develops and facilitates the achievement of team goals in accordance with departmental and zoo goals Builds relationships and collaborates with peers at other AZA institutions Operation & Business
Exe
Are you an experienced keeper ready to take on a leadership role? The Santa Barbara Zoo is seeking a Zoological Manager to manage daily animal care operations, supervise Animal Care Supervisors and Keepers, and ensure the highest standards of animal welfare. Lead a dynamic team and contribute to wildlife conservation and education in a meaningful way! Position Status: Regular, Full-Time, Salary, Exempt Schedule: Sunday - Thursday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Compensation: $66,350- $69,850 per year, dependent on experience Under the general direction of the Director of Animal Care and the VP of Animal Care & Health, the Zoological Manager is responsible for managing daily animal care operations, optimizing animal care and wellbeing, ensuring the maintenance of exhibits, providing a positive guest experience, supervising Animal Care Supervisors and all Keeper positions, and assisting with animal population and departmental strategic initiatives. Essential Duties: Animal Care & Welfare
Manages the Animal Care Supervisors and provides leadership and operational coaching and mentoring, delegating operational supervisory tasks and assigning direct reports (Keepers) to the Animal Care Supervisor as appropriate. Manages and supports a team of Keepers in providing the highest standards of care to ensure the health and well-being of the animal collection Acts as a role model/leader in animal husbandry, health issues, and welfare Applies an understanding of animal husbandry, health, and welfare to determine animal management direction, including operational procedures Recognizes and determines the seriousness of abnormal behavior and medical conditions Recognizes the importance of animal welfare and is responsible for regularly assessing the welfare of animals through daily operations and population-level welfare assessments, including collation of assessments and completion of identified actions, and strives to optimize welfare for all animals under their care A member of the Animal Welfare Assessment Working Group, which meets quarterly to review assessments, evaluate the assessment process, and identify and address welfare concerns Confirms regular adherence to USDA Animal Welfare Act, regional, federal, and AZA standards associated with animal care and welfare Ensures that all animal husbandry and health duties are performed in the safest manner, following established standard operating guidelines (SOGs) and protocols Identifies specific animal husbandry/health problems and implements a systematic approach to solving the problem Communicates veterinary and animal husbandry information in a timely manner to the keeper team, Animal Care & Health team, and Senior Management staff Works collaboratively with the Veterinarians and Veterinary staff to ensure the highest level of medical care for the animals in the collection Works collaboratively with the Nutritionist to ensure optimal nutrition and feeding strategies for the animals in the collection Supports and promotes the Enriched Experiences and Animal Training Programs in order to advance the behavioral enrichment program Responsible for ensuring application of animal training to optimize care and welfare, identifies and prioritizes training goals, supports keepers in developing shaping and training plans, and collaborates with the animal training consultants to achieve training goals and advance the training program Responsible for ensuring application of enrichment and enriching experiences to optimize care and welfare, identifies and prioritizes enrichment goals, evaluates enrichment activity schedules & devices to determine effectiveness, and collaborates with enrichment consultants to achieve enrichment goals and advance the behavioral enrichment program Supports the Enriched Experiences Program in order to advance the behavioral enrichment program Collaborates with Animal Management Team to help develop and support the Ambassador Animal Program Collaborates with the Animal Care team and other zoo departments on exhibit/animal space modifications and enhancements, and designs new exhibits/animal spaces to optimize animal wellbeing and the guest experience Develops, reviews, and updates all applicable SOGs and protocols for animal husbandry and the Ambassador Animal Program Supports the goals of breeding programs for managed populations (SSPs) and may be assigned as an institutional representative for managed populations (SSPs) Knowledge of AZA accreditation standards and AZA animal programs Responsible for ensuring animal daily records are entered into the electronic recordkeeping system (ZIMS) Evaluates the content and completeness of daily records in the team area Collaborates with the Vice President of Animal Care & Health, Director of Animal Care, Animal Care staff, and other zoo departments to develop, review, and modify the animal population plan Collaborates with Animal Care & Health Managers to develop departmental goals and implement departmental strategic initiatives that align with organizational priorities and strategy Collaborates effectively with other departments such as Education, Guest Services, Institutional Advancement, and Marketing to achieve the goals of the AC&H department and zoo-wide programs Other duties as assigned Conservation & Science
Collaborates with the Conservation & Science department to support participation in local conservation programs and fieldwork opportunities Collaborates with the Director of Conservation & Science, Veterinarians, and the Director of Animal Care to fulfill institutionally approved research requests Supports in-house research activities and welfare studies Actively encourages and supports Keepers to participate in AZA animal programs (TAGs, SAGs, SSPs, SAFE programs, committees) and leads by example by supporting AZA animal programs, such as SSP coordinator, studbook keeper, TAG/ SAG/SAFE/other committee member or other Emergency Situations
Acts as incident commander in animal escape situations or other emergency situations Responds to animal emergencies quickly and calculates risks involved for animals, guests, and staff Remains calm and creates an atmosphere of calm and control for those dealing with the emergency situation Utilizes emergency chemical immobilization as required Uses capture equipment when required Evaluates the impact of emergency or mock situations on all areas of the Zoo and suggests improvements to the emergency response systems Active participant in the Weapons Team Guest Relations
Ensures exhibit presentation quality standards for cleanliness and maintenance to maximize our guest experience Responsibility for appropriate, well-maintained graphics and signage at exhibits Interacts with guests to assist and share information about animal care and wellbeing Responds to all guest inquiries, complaints, and comments according to Zoo guest relations procedures Develops and facilitates formal and informal educational programs Staff Development
Supervises Animal Care Supervisors, Animal Care Keepers, Volunteers, and Interns, and/or performs duties of direct reports as needed Shares critical information, best practices, and procedures on a consistent basis with staff Participates regularly in training provided by the zoo and by external consultants/classes for the development of their leadership skills and for their direct reports, including but not limited to coaching, difficult conversations, providing feedback, conflict resolution, and time management Provides staff coaching and feedback on a regular basis to direct reports and coaches coworkers, volunteers, and interns, and provides informal feedback as needed Provides leadership coaching and development for Animal Care Supervisors Performs regular formal evaluations for staff Promotes a collaborative relationship across the whole AC&H department and with other zoo departments Provides staff training on animal handling, capture, restraint, animal training, enrichment, and animal welfare Collaborates with the Director of Animal Care to develop and implement professional development opportunities and plans for the Keepers that relate to animal care, animal welfare, animal training, behavioral enrichment, AZA programs, public relations, interpersonal skills, and leadership skills Proactively supports opportunities for the Keepers to contribute to conservation programs and participate in conservation fieldwork Encourages staff to present at scientific meetings/workshops/conferences, to give informal presentations, and to prepare scientific papers or articles for publication Collaborates with the Director of Animal Care in staff assessment, the hiring process, development of performance improvement plans, and termination processes Develops and facilitates the achievement of team goals in accordance with departmental and zoo goals Builds relationships and collaborates with peers at other AZA institutions Operation & Business
Exe