Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted until 7 December 2025 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.
- Are you passionate about primates and animal care leadership? Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens is seeking an Assistant Curator of Mammals to join our Life Sciences team!
- This exciting role supports the Primate Forest, overseeing our resident animals that include bonobos, gorillas, mandrills, colobus monkeys, and a variety of lemur species.
- As an integral member of our team, you’ll help guide animal care staff, direct husbandry procedures, and contribute to the ongoing enrichment, welfare, and conservation of our incredible primates.
- This is a unique opportunity to lead with impact, develop your career in zoological management, and help inspire a connection to wildlife for our visitors.
- This is a hands-on leadership role ideal for a motivated individual ready to expand their management experience within a collaborative, mission-driven environment.
- You’ll 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.
What You’ll Do
- Oversee the daily care, health, and wellbeing of mammals in assigned areas, ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare and behavioral enrichment.
- Support the development of habitats, safety protocols, and animal management procedures that meet or exceed AZA accreditation standards.
- Collaborate on Species Survival Plan (SSP) breeding recommendations, acquisitions, and dispositions in coordination with other accredited institutions.
- Participate in conservation and research initiatives that advance understanding and protection of endangered species.
- Assist in budget management, resource planning, and implementing cost-effective operational practices without compromising quality.
- Support education and outreach efforts by engaging with guests, schools, and community organizations to inspire connections with wildlife.
- Partner with facilities and design teams on habitat improvements and long-term collection planning.
- People & Management
- Lead by example, promoting a culture of collaboration, accountability, and inclusion within the team.
- Provide daily guidance and mentorship to animal care staff, supporting professional development and performance growth.
- Communicate clearly and consistently across teams to align priorities, share progress, and resolve challenges.
- Manage schedules, approve timecards, coordinate time-off, and maintain accurate documentation for assigned teams.
- Ensure budget and headcount adherence while identifying opportunities for operational efficiency.
- What you bring...
- Ability to work a schedule:
- Sunday – Thursday.
Applied Animal Care Experience:
- At least 5 years of hands-on experience in animal welfare, demonstrating adherence to professional and industry management standards.
AZA Expertise:
- Knowledge of studbook processes, animal husbandry, and species-specific natural history, ensuring the highest standards of care and contribution to conservation programs.
Animal Management & Compliance:
- Experience with adherence to animal management guidelines, including AZA standards, animal exhibition, and federal and state laws governing animal exhibition.
Animal Enrichment & Welfare:
- Experience with animal enrichment, training, social management, and familiarity with animal rights and welfare theory.
Leadership & People Skills:
- Strong leadership grounded in empathy, adaptability, and integrity, with a minimum of 3 years in a supervisory or leadership role guiding and developing animal care teams. Skilled in resource allocation, conflict de-escalation, and problem-solving in dynamic environments.
Communication & Collaboration:
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills across all levels of the organization, fostering teamwork and collaboration.
Strategic & Operational Mindset:
- Ability to plan ahead, execute effectively, and manage multiple priorities with detail-oriented organizational and time management skills.
Safety & Compliance:
- Knowledge and ability to properly use personal protective equipment (PPE) and follow all safety protocols when working with animals, chemicals, equipment, or habitats.
Technical Proficiency:
- Proficiency in Microsoft 365 Suite (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Word), with a willingness to learn other systems such as Paycor, Paycom, PaperSave, and Zims.
Commitment to Mission & Culture:
- Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and commitment to the mission, with a strong dedication to diversity, equity, inclusion, and fostering a positive workplace culture.
- A Plus...
- Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences or a related field
- Experience within an AZA facility, zoo, and/or aquarium with exotic resident animals.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Availability to accommodate a flexible schedule, including extended hours, holidays, weekends, and a willingness to share on-call duties.
- Availability to fulfill disaster-response duties and responsibilities, including clean up.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Ability to lift, carry, and move objects weighing up to 50 pounds with or without accommodation.
- Ability to remain standing/sitting for extended periods.
- Requires hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills for tasks such as grasping, turning, and manipulating objects of varying size and weight.
- Ability to walk, bend, kneel, crouch, crawl, climb, and reach.
- Requires visual acuity for reading, writing, and observing surroundings, and auditory acuity for communication.
- Ability to operate motorized carts, trucks, and power tools.
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
- $55k-$57k
