Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted until 9 January 2026 and/or until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. We reserve the right to close the posting early if a well-qualified candidate pool has been established. Early submission is encouraged. Please ensure that your application highlights your experience and qualifications as they relate to the responsibilities of this role.
- Lead with Purpose. Shape Animal Care Excellence. Are you passionate about primates and animal care leadership? Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens is seeking a forward-thinking, experienced Assistant Curator to lead animal care operations for a diverse, multi-taxa collection.
- This role is ideal for a collaborative leader who blends hands-on animal care expertise with team development, safety leadership, and strategic thinking.
- The position supports the Primate Forest that includes bonobos, gorillas, mandrills, colobus monkeys, and a variety of lemur species.
- As an integral member of our leadership team, you will guide animal care staff, direct husbandry procedures, and support enrichment, welfare, and conservation initiatives for our primate collection.
- This is a unique opportunity to lead with impact, grow your career in zoological management, and inspire meaningful connections to wildlife among our guests.
- This is a hands-on leadership role for a motivated professional ready to expand their management experience within a collaborative, mission-driven environment.
- You will be directly involved in the care and welfare of highly intelligent and socially complex primate species, helping shape the future of their well-being in professionally managed care.
- We value safety, inclusion, and innovation.
- You will work alongside dedicated professionals who care deeply about the animals they serve and the teams they support.
- Together, we are building a future where collaboration fuels growth, technology enhances care, and conservation guides every decision.
- Help us fulfill our mission: “Connecting our communities to wildlife and wild places.” Success in this role is defined by how effectively you demonstrate the core competencies in action.
What You’ll Do...
- Animal & Wellbeing Management
- Oversee the daily care and welfare of moderate-risk and/or safety-sensitive diverse species, ensuring exceptional husbandry, enrichment, behavioral health, and social management.
- Partner with Veterinary Services to monitor health, implement medical protocols, and optimize animal wellbeing.
Behavioral & Risk Management
- Implement and enforce safety, biosecurity, and emergency response protocols for both staff and animals.
- Lead behavioral management programs to reduce stress and risk, ensuring species-appropriate training and enrichment strategies.
- People Leadership & Performance Management
- Lead, mentor, and develop animal care staff, volunteers, and interns, fostering a high-performing, collaborative, and inclusive team.
- Support recruitment, onboarding, training, and ongoing performance evaluation to promote professional growth.
- Communication & Influence
- Collaborate across departments, providing clear updates and guidance to staff, veterinary teams, and operations personnel.
- Represent the organization professionally during guest interactions, educational talks, tours, and community engagement activities.
- Safety, Compliance & Decision-Making
- Ensure strict adherence to institutional and regulatory standards, including documentation, reporting, and accreditation requirements.
- Exercise sound judgment in high-pressure or emergency situations, making decisions that prioritize safety, welfare, and operational continuity.
- Strategic Thinking & Organizational Impact
- Participate in programs, Taxon Advisory Groups (TAGS), Species Survival Plan (SSPs), studbooks, and Managed Animal Plans (MAP).
- Contribute to long-term collection planning, operational improvements, and conservation priorities, aligning daily work with organizational goals and sustainability.
- What you bring...
- Ability to work a schedule of Sunday–Thursday or as operational needs require.
- Professional Experience:
- 5 years of professional animal care experience in a zoo, aquarium, or wildlife setting, preferably across a multi-taxa collection, with progressive responsibility in husbandry, enrichment, social management, and participation in AZA programs or conservation initiatives.
- 2+ years of supervisory or team leadership experience, including mentoring, staff development, scheduling, and performance management.
- Demonstrated experience working safely with moderate-risk and/or safety-sensitive species, with the ability to assess hazards and respond calmly in high-pressure or emergency situations.
- Experience collaborating with veterinary, behavior, and welfare teams on social introductions, transfers, medical procedures, or habitat access coordination.
- Proven ability to adhere to institutional safety, biosecurity, and emergency protocols while working with species.
- Proficient knowledge of species-specific husbandry, enrichment, and behavioral management techniques.
- Experience maintaining compliance with USDA, FWC, OSHA, AZA, and institutional standards, including safety, biosecurity, and established animal care protocols.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office 365 and willing to learn new systems (e.g., Paycom, Paycor, PaperSave).
- Proficient using ZIMS or comparable animal records systems.
- A combination of education and experience may be considered. Candidates without a formal degree may qualify through extensive, progressively responsible experience in animal care and staff leadership.
- Pre-Employment Requirements: Candidates selected for this position must successfully complete all pre-employment screenings prior to their start date.
- Compliance with these requirements is mandatory to ensure the safety of staff, animals, and visitors.
- These include:
- Verification of professional references.
- Employment history verification.
- Criminal background check.
- 5-panel drug test
- Non-DOT physical examination
- Proof of a current negative tuberculosis (TB) test.
- Documentation of required vaccinations, including rabies vaccination or titer.
- A Plus...
Education:
- Associate’s or Bachelor's degree in Zoology, Biology, Animal Behavior, Conservation Science, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience demonstrating progressive responsibility in animal care.
- 8+ years of experience overseeing or supporting team operations for socially complex primate species, including behavioral observation, social group management, enrichment implementation, and risk mitigation in protected- or restricted-contact environments.
- Fine-motor handling & close-contact skills: safely working in proximity to primates during feeding, enrichment, and medical care.
- Advanced social and cognitive awareness: interpreting subtle behavioral cues, hierarchies, and social network dynamics.
- Behavioral enrichment & training: applying operant conditioning and positive reinforcement for husbandry and veterinary procedures.
- Medical collaboration: supporting veterinary and behavioral staff in direct, hands-on care and behavioral health monitoring.
- Observation & record-keeping: detailed behavioral tracking and cognitive assessment for individual and group management.
- At least 3+ years in a formal supervisory or team-lead capacity, overseeing staff performance, operational safety, and area workflows.
- Experience managing budgets, resources, schedules, or operational projects.
- Demonstrated leadership and professional involvement, including mentoring and developing staff, supporting volunteers or interns, and participating in SSPs, TAGs, MAPs, or studbook programs.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- All duties must be performed in accordance with institutional safety, biosecurity, and operational protocols.
- Work in close proximity to multiple species, including large, socially complex, moderate-risk, or safety-sensitive animals, and perform tasks such as lifting, restraining, or safely interacting with animals.
- Consistently adhere to safety and biosecurity protocols, including protected/restricted contact procedures, emergency response procedures, and species-specific handling guidelines.
- Ability to remain standing or sitting for extended periods during animal care, observations, training, or administrative duties.
- Hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills required for grasping, turning, manipulating, or distributing objects of varying size and weight, including feed, enrichment items, bedding, medical equipment, and tools.
- Ability to lift, carry, and move objects up to 50 lbs safely, including feed, bedding, enrichment materials, veterinary supplies, and equipment, as required to perform essential job functions.
- Ability to climb ladders, access elevated platforms, and maneuver safely in confined or elevated enclosures, aviaries, or aquatic habitats.
- Ability to respond quickly to emergencies, including handling animals, equipment, or hazardous conditions while maintaining team and animal safety.
- Ability to walk, bend, kneel, crouch, crawl, climb, and reach to perform husbandry, cleaning, enrichment, or animal handling tasks.
- Visual acuity to read, write, monitor animal behavior, and observe environmental cues.
- Auditory acuity to hear and respond to verbal commands, team communications, alarms, and animal vocalizations for safe animal care and emergency response.
- Ability to operate motorized carts, trucks, and power tools safely in accordance with institutional policies.
- Ability to work safely in indoor and outdoor environments, including varying weather, terrain, water access, and specialized habitats.
- Ability to follow species-specific handling requirements, including restraint, enrichment, and training protocols, for the safety of staff, animals, and the public.
WORK CONDITIONS
- Exposure to various weather conditions, including extreme heat, sunlight, cold, rain, and wind.
- Potential exposure to allergens (dust, animal dander, pollen, etc.), bloodborne pathogens, zoonotic diseases and injuries from animals.
- Irregular work hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays are required.
- Exposure to hazards such wildlife, waste, equipment, loud noises, chemicals, and heights.
- May require being on call for emergencies.
- Must be available to fulfill disaster-response duties as required.
- May Handle remote darting equipment or weapons.
- We are an equal opportunity employer and comply with all applicable federal, state, and local employment regulations
EOE / DRUG FREE WORKPLACE
- Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens are committed to providing equal employment opportunities.
- Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this role.
- Candidates are encouraged to request accommodation if needed during the application, interview, or employment process.
Salary
- Compensation depends on education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities; $55k- $57 annually
