Curator of Animal Resource Center (ARC)

The San Francisco Zoological Society (“Society”) is a non-profit institution that manages and raises funds for San Francisco Zoo and Gardens (“Zoo”).  The Society’s mission, supra, is summarized as the 3 c’s: to connect our visitors with wildlife so that they care about nature and ultimately conserve it.  The Society’s leadership team is comprised of a President & Executive Director as well as a professional team of Senior Managers. The Society endeavors to meet or exceed the standards of its industry peers, including those established by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (“AZA”). For over 25 years, the Society has been continuously accredited by the AZA.

• It is expected for all employees to uphold the Society’s mission, its core values (respect, professionalism, resiliency, efficiency and equality) and other policies/procedures outlined in the Employee Handbook and elsewhere.

Summary:

• Under the general supervision of the VP of Animal Care, this Curator position coordinates and supervises the staff within the Koret Animal Resource Center (ARC) and manages the animal collection within that Section.
• The ARC Curator interfaces as the representative of the ARC programs with other divisions including Education, Guest
• Experience, and Operations.
• This position and department have a focus on training and inspiring future animal professionals at the ARC, the Wells Fargo
• Wildlife Theatre, and the Nature Trail through visitor engagement via animal programming.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills:

• This position requires extensive knowledge of animal behavior and husbandry including the care and feeding of zoo animals, the role of operant conditioning in captive animal care, and the hazards of working with zoo animals.
• An understanding of zoo policies and procedures and a working knowledge of animal diseases and the principles of biology and zoology is also required. 
• Familiarity with regulatory agencies (AZA, USDA) and their standards or regulations is essential.
• This position requires the ability to perform heavy work including working safely and effectively with dangerous or exotic mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills are essential for developing programs with children, teens, and adults.
• The ability to work as part of a management team is necessary.
• The Curator must keep operational records, prepare reports, and interact courteously with the public; and must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation. 
• Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following.
• Other duties may be assigned.
• Supervises an Assistant Curator as well as ARC staff (Education Specialists, Animal Keepers, interns and volunteers) as assigned.  Leads and trains employees to maintain the highest standards of animal care. 
• Assures accurate and up-to-date logs of animal observations, daily operations, and animal care standard operating procedures are maintained. Inspects ARC to ensure proper care, maintenance, and safety of animals and their quarters.
• Manages oversight of ARC animal training and enrichment.
• Assures animal behavior presentations for Wildlife Theater shows are mission-focused, and that theatre grounds are maintained.
• Stays abreast of current AZA trends in Ambassador Animals, Teen Programs, and Volunteer Management and incorporates these ideas into the ARC volunteer programs, with a focus on volunteer training, safety, and discipline.
• Oversees the Assistant Curator’s and ARC staff’s work with the Education department in the implementation and coordination of ZooMobile programs.
• Oversees ARC staff interactions with Veterinary, Wellness, and Nutrition staff to advance animal care. 
• Coordinates and works with other departments to implement educational programs, activities in public relations, membership, development, facility rentals and other support services. 
• Interfaces with Operations staff in coordinating sectional operations related to maintenance and repair activities, as well as to zoo events.
• Assists, prepares and manages the Departmental budget.
• Oversees completion of Annual Performance Evaluations for all assigned subordinate staff including identification or performance objectives and identification of needed training. 
• Assists Human Resources in staff training and hiring, or in preparing other reports for incidents such as industrial injury, accident, or vandalism. 
• Responsible for repair work orders, and the ordering, receipt and distribution of materials, supplies, food stuffs, and diets provided by other departments; delegates administrative functions including scheduling and timekeeping.
• Administers progressive discipline program consulting with department management and Human Resources. 
• Serves as Curator in Charge, may serve on Armed Response Team and may serve a role in native wildlife response; attends weekly curators meeting. May represent the Animal Division or the Zoo in public meetings
• Interacts with Zoo visitors courteously and offers proper attention at all times. Organize tours and develop keeper interface with visitors.
• Performs staff work as required; other duties as assigned.
• REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: 
• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
• The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EXPERIENCE:

• The conditions listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Communication

• Proficient in the use of a computer. 
• Familiarity with Microsoft Word and Excel. 
• Ability to correspond electronically.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate conversations and make it comfortable for people to share ideas and information through the application of strong interpersonal communication and listening skills.
• Ease at public speaking is essential.
• Animal Husbandry
• Minimum five years of paid experience working with animals in a zoological setting.
• Minimum two years’ experience in managing the daily care and maintenance of ambassador animals.
• Demonstrated knowledge of quality animal management, including animal husbandry, animal behavior, mixed species introductions, operant conditioning, natural history, knowledge of USDA regulations, and safe work practices.
• Leadership
• Demonstrated leadership and supervisory abilities. 
• Demonstrated organizational and time management skills.
• Exemplifies Zoo Core Values through character and work ethic. Actively engages zoo visitors and staff to advance the institutional Mission.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manages one assistant curator as well as education specialists and animal keepers as assigned; assures proper oversight of interns and volunteers.
• The curator is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of this unit and carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies, applicable laws, and relevant labor laws. 
• Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems; ensuring compliance with contracted obligations.

Education: 

• A degree in Animal Science or related field is preferred. 
• Course work in one or more of said disciplines is required.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Additional management and supervisory experience with other animal taxa is preferred.
• Expertise with management of multiple types of staff and interaction with various age groups of volunteers and child participants in programs are highly preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. 
• The employee frequently is required to stand and walk. 
• The employee is occasionally required to sit. 
• The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 80 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions. 
• The employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts. 
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to potentially hazardous animals.
• Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. 
• EOE.
• Salary Range: $72,000-$80,000