Team Lead - Birds/Farm

Objective: The Team Lead is responsible for leading and assisting a team of zookeepers in the daily husbandry of animals as it relates to the animal’s physiological and psychological well-being; for the general maintenance of enclosures and habitats. This position is also responsible for ensuring a positive guest experience by providing exceptional service and engaging presentations.

Collection Encompasses:

• The Bird/Farm team cares for all inhabitants of The Tropical Birdhouse, Penguin Rock (African penguins), Once Upon a Farm, and a handful of other small exhibits.

Essential Functions

• Actively participates in daily advanced animal husbandry for specific taxa.
• Assists in orienting, training, and monitoring the performance of immediate work group.
• Provide feedback regarding hiring needs, selection and performance management of immediate work group.
• Facilitates exhibit needs and maintenance of assigned area including cleaning of habitats, scheduling regular maintenance and managing work crews in animal areas.
• Follows established standard operating procedures for animal care, food preparation, and clean up, including proper maintenance and sterilization of equipment.
• Supports daily enrichment and documentation to promote, encourage and evaluate natural and engaging behaviors.
• Implements and evaluates animal training programs when needed.
• Facilitates formal and informal public presentations to educate guests and provide positive guest experiences.
• Submits/tracks work tickets, assists with scheduling, communicates with all lines of business, at all levels including the Research, Veterinary staff, Education and Operations teams.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Zoology, Biology, or a related field
• Minimum 5 years’ experience and ongoing training in the collection, care and conservation of exotic animals required

Preferred Education and Experience:

• At least 1 year experience in a supervisory capacity

Competencies

•  Written and oral communication Proficiency
• Proficient in MS Office, current technology and applications for communication, research and record keeping.
• Records and reports creation and management
• Problem Solving/Analysis.
• Stress Management/Composure.
• Flexibility.
• Teamwork Orientation.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• Assists Associate Curator with supervising all zookeepers within this area

Reporting Structure:

• Reports to Associate Curator.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

• This is a full-time 40 hrs per week position which regularly requires weekend work.

Work Environment:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works in outside weather conditions.
• The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, chemicals and vibration.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet while in the office, or moderately loud while on Zoo grounds.

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.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk and hear.
• The employee is constantly required to use hands and fingers to feel, handle or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.
• The employee is occasionally required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl and walk.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Other Duties:

• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.
• Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
• Please note that this job description is not exhaustive and additional duties may be assigned, or existing duties may be modified, at any time to meet the needs of the organization.
• Memphis Zoo is a drug free workplace.
• All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment drug screening and background check.
• By submitting your application, you hereby certify that the facts set forth in the above employment application are true and complete to the best of your knowledge.
• I certify that the information provided on this application is truthful and accurate.
• I understand that providing false or misleading information will be a basis for rejection of my application, or if employment commences, immediate termination.
• I authorize Memphis Zoo to contact former employers and educational organizations regarding my employment and education.
• I authorize my former employers and educational organizations to fully and freely communicate information regarding my previous employment, attendance, and grades.
• I authorize those persons designated as references to fully and freely communicate information regarding my previous employment and education.
• If an employment relationship is created, I understand that unless I am offered a specific written contract of employment signed on behalf of the organization by its CEO, the employment relationship will be "at-will".
• In other words, the relationship will be entirely voluntary in nature, and either I or my employer will be able to terminate the employment relationship at any time and without cause.
• With appropriate notice, I will have the full and complete discretion to end the employment relationship when I choose for reasons of my choice.
• Similarly, my employer will have the same right.
• Moreover, no agent, representative, or employee of PARC INC, except in a specific written contract of employment signed on behalf of the organization by the CEO, has the power to alter or vary the voluntary nature of the employment relationship.

EEOC AND INCLUSION STATEMENT

• The Memphis Zoo believes that human diversity is as important as the biodiversity we seek to conserve.
• World-class zoos are comprised of world-class team members representing a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills.
• We value a diverse workplace and strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, and veterans to apply.
• The Memphis Zoo is an equal-opportunity employer.
• Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.
• If you need to request any accommodation for the interview or hiring process, please let Human Resources team (HR) know.
• HR can be contacted at hrteam@memphiszoo.org.
• The Memphis Zoo participates in E-Verify and is an EEO/ADA/Veteran employer.