Assistant Curator of Birds

Audubon Nature Institute comprises Audubon Park, Audubon Zoo, Audubon Aquarium, Audubon Insectarium, Audubon Louisiana Nature Center, Freeport-McMoRan Audubon Species Survival Center, Audubon Center for Research of Endangered Species, Woldenberg Riverfront Park, and Audubon Wilderness Park

• At Audubon Nature Institute, we are more than a collection of parks, museums, and conservation centers—we are a dedicated team with a shared mission to celebrate, protect, and connect people to the wonders of nature.
• Our work is guided by our culture code, which is at the heart of everything we do. We believe in Activating Impact by integrating tangible, real-world outcomes into all our initiatives, fostering a culture where every action contributes to a positive environmental impact. We are committed to Empowering Optimism, using positivity to inspire others to act and believe in their capacity to create meaningful change.
• We strive to Create Connection by engaging with people from all walks of life, knowing that the collective strength of a diverse community can address the most pressing challenges facing our natural world.
• At Audubon, we embody the spirit of Le Bon Temps, infusing the joy and vibrant culture of Louisiana into our everyday work, celebrating our unique heritage while advancing our mission.
• As Leaders of the Pack, we constantly seek smarter, innovative solutions, challenging conventions to drive the change we want to see in the world.
• Audubon Nature Institute (Audubon Zoo) is looking to fill the position of Assistant Curator of Birds.
• Assistant Curator is a mid-level, supervisory position requiring the individual to be an active participant in the routine care of a diverse bird collection, several species of mammals and other daily operations of the Bird Division.
• Assistant Curators aid the Curator in managing the animals and personnel of the entire Bird Division.
• Assistant Curators work closely with the Animal Health Care staff, members of the other Animal Department divisions and all other Audubon Nature Institute departments.
• Audubon’s Bird department oversees the care of nearly 300 individual birds spanning multiple taxa from around the world. Everything from small passerines to large ratites, waterfowl, ground fowl, flamingos, and more.
• We work in a diverse climate from indoor aviaries to outside yards and large natural bodies of water.
• We are active in SSP and breeding programs for several threatened and endangered species and field conservation programs.
• We work collaboratively as a team to achieve the goals for both the department and Audubon Nature Institute. 

What you’ll do:

• Perform routine husbandry- feed prescribed diets, monitor and report diet consumption, observe and report any health or behavioral abnormalities of all assigned animal specimens to immediate supervisor daily, assist hospital staff with health monitoring and assessment, follow all Standard Operating Procedures for assigned areas. 
• Provides a high standard of animal care. 
• Prioritizes preventative care and excellence in animal welfare and proposes measures for advancing care.   Participates in welfare assessments.
• Advanced knowledge and experience with modern husbandry techniques and practices in an AZA and USDA zoological setting.
• Possesses strong communication skills, including listening and thoughtful dialogue. 
• Perform approved Behavioral Enrichment activities and create new enrichment based on the needs of the animal(s).
• Has knowledge of operant conditioning techniques, use advanced knowledge to increase the quality of life of the collection.
• Ownership of a positive work environment and workplace morale.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.
• Must be willing to work weekdays, weekends, and holidays.
• Identify and correct minor or routine maintenance problems in a timely manner and report other maintenance needs.
• Be required to perform facility and exhibit maintenance, including but not limited to, trash and debris removal, floor cleaning, painting, building repair, horticultural duties, etc.
• Maintain high standards of personal appearance and grooming, including proper uniform standards.

Additional/Overall Skills:

• Maintain a positive attitude and a strong sense of accountability, fostering a collaborative team environment where everyone feels empowered to contribute.
• Thrive in a team environment, using your organizational and technical skills to ensure the smooth execution of creative projects that resonate with our audience.
• Celebrate the successes of your team and bring enthusiasm to your work, reflecting the joyful culture that is at the heart of Audubon’s mission.
• Stay adaptable and open to learning new skills, embracing change and innovation as opportunities to lead and grow.

What we are looking for:

• A strong working knowledge of modern avicultural practices. 
• Supervisory experience preferred. 
• Knowledge of incubation and hand rearing protocols for a variety of avian taxa. 
• A working knowledge of ZIMS software. 
• Candidates will act in a supervisory capacity when called up on or in the absence of the curator. 
• Ability to work weekends and Holidays. 
• Serve as a liaison between departments and contractors. 
• Asssits with collection planning and exhibit design. 

Must Have: 

• High School diploma (or equivalent) and a degree from a recognized college or university are required.
• College course work in zoology, biology, animal science or related field is preferred.
• Advanced knowledge of the principles of captive bird management.
• Accurate oral and written communication skills. 
• Advanced knowledge of zoonotic diseases and their prevention.
• Valid LA drivers license. 
• Current TB test. 

Nice to haves:

• CPR training. 
• San Diego Academy Animal Welfare course work. 
• Any large equipment training or certification preferred. 

Physical Requirements: 

• Continuous standing, walking, lifting, bending, and twisting. 
• Ability to lift, push, pull, and carry objects weighing over 50 pounds, often repeatedly. 
• Regularly climbing ladders and operating heavy machinery. 
• Sustained manual dexterity and coordination. 
• Physical stamina for long shifts involving repetitive or strenuous tasks. 
• Primarily outdoor environments or industrial settings. 
• Frequent exposure to heat, cold, dust, fumes, or loud noises. 
• Exposure to potential hazards such as heavy machinery, moving vehicles, or electrical equipment