Nutritional Services Supervisor

This position is responsible for supervising, monitoring, and participating in receiving, preparing, and delivering quality food and supplies to all animal buildings and exhibit areas; supervising the keeper staff assigned to the area; and coordinating activities with other departments within Animal Programs and participating in diet record management and formulation.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Supervise, plan, train, and review the work of all Nutritional Services staff
• Plan, direct, and participate in receiving, preparing, and delivering food and supplies to all animal areas
• Supervise, direct, and participate in maintenance of receiving records 
• Participate in maintenance of diet records
• Facilitate communication regarding procurement/inventory operations
• Participate in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies and priorities for both the department and staff 
• Train assigned staff in their areas of work including preparation, sanitation and professional conduct
• Monitor the work of assigned staff for accuracy, proper work methods, techniques, and compliance with applicable standards and specifications
• Facilitate maintenance and repair of the physical facility and equipment
• Respond to inquiries and requests from the animal collection staff in a courteous manner
• Supervise and ensure adherence to proper standards of sanitation and safety
• Assist with feed quality control program and communication
• Participate in diet formulation
• With training, euthanize feeder animals as part of a diet management program
• Assist with nutrition laboratory operations and research as needed

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Exercise supervision over assigned zoo keeping staff, interns and volunteers for all areas of the responsibility and professional conduct
• Participate in the selection, hiring, training and evaluation of staff
• Monitor the work environment of staff, participate in the review and implementation of disciplinary action as needed with the Managerial and Human Resources staff
• Schedule staff; maintain up to date standard operation procedure for assigned areas
• Ensure safe working environment for staff and animals
• Demonstrates leadership of employees through ongoing training to include applicable laws, Zoo policies, business conduct and ethics and the provision of quality services to guests and employees supporting the highest level of program integrity

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.
• Must be 21 years of age or older
• Valid driver license with acceptable motor vehicle record to maintain zoo standards of insurability
• Demonstrated knowledge of:
• Operations, services, and activities of the Nutritional Services Department
• Principles of supervision and training
• Advanced methods and techniques of problem solving
• Basic principles and practices of Nutritional Services operations
• Principles and practices of work area safety and sanitation
• Operational characteristics of food prep and handling equipment
• Principles and practices of nutritional record keeping
• Must possess the ability to:
• Lead, organize, and review the work of staff in the area of work assigned
• Lead and motivate the Nutritional Services team
• Communicate and work effectively in a team setting
• Independently perform the most difficult Nutritional Services operations, problem solve, and meet emergencies calmly and effectively
• Interpret, explain, and enforce department policies and procedures
• Operate a variety of food prep and handling equipment in a safe and sanitary manner
• Clean and maintain physical facility of the Nutritional Services Building according to sanitation and operation policies
• Ensure the sanitary preparation of accurate diets
• Work independently in the absence of immediate supervision
• Understand and follow detailed oral and written instructions
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work

Education and/or Experience:

• Three years of increasingly responsible nutritional services experience; minimum of 1-year supervisory experience preferred
• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Bachelors degree in biology, zoology, wildlife, nutrition or a related field preferred
• Specialized training in related field preferred

Physical Demands: 

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. 
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, sometimes up to 75 pounds with assistance.  

Work Environment:

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
• Team oriented environment
• Ability to work irregular hours (holidays and weekends)
• Ability to work special events and functions as required
• Ability to work outdoors in heat, cold and inclement weather
• –20 degrees F in a freezer for short periods of time
• 3 – 4 hours of food preparation in 35 – 40 degree F cooler
• This position may be safety sensitive
• This position may work around animals susceptible to specific diseases, thus may be subject to regular tuberculosis and rabies titer testing, and the routine use of personal protective equipment such as gloves, face masks

Disclaimer

• The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as a complete inventory of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. 
• This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position.
• Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor.

• Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities.
• To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.
• Continued employment remains on an at-will basis.
• Benefits 
• This is a full-time position and offers the following benefits: 
• Medical and Prescription Drug (Employee Coverage 90% Employer Paid, Dependent Coverage 55% Employer Paid)
• Vision
• Dental
• Basic Life AD&D (100% Employer Paid)
• Short Term Disability (100% Employer Paid)
• Long Term Disability (100% Employer Paid)
• Supplemental Life
• Flexible Spending Account
• 401k
• Paid Time Off (Accrual Equivalent to 5 Weeks Per Year)
• PTO Rollover
• PTO Sell Back
• Free Zoo Membership
• Free Guest Passes
• Discounts on Food, Merchandise, Attractions, Admission and Programs

Salary

• 43,888 annually