The Louisville Zoo is excited to announce a wonderful opportunity to join our team as our Zoo Ambassador Animal Program Supervisor! This newly created position is responsible for the overall management of the Ambassador Animal Program including supervision of the Ambassador Animal staff/volunteers, care and management of the animal collection and oversight of our ambassador animal programming that offers a diverse animal collection which includes reptiles, invertebrates, mammals and birds. As a huge bonus, Louisville is a progressive and fun city surrounded by the natural beauty of forests, rolling hills, caverns, and waterways!
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- The essential functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this class.
- Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the class as necessary.
- Supervises subordinate personnel including seasonal workers, MetaZoo employees, and volunteers for the Docent program.
- Monitors the general health and behavior of the animals in the ambassador program.
- Participates in the daily work routines for the animals.
- Assists Public Education Administrator with ambassador animal collection planning.
- Maintains the acquisitions, dispositions, and exhibitions of the animals in the Ambassador Program.
- Maintains records on the animals, pertaining to daily department reports, training/enrichment records, animal welfare assessments, animal usage logs, and behavioral assessments.
- Develops and implements behavioral management plans for animals including training, enrichment, usage, and presentation plans used in the program.
- Instructs Education Department staff on appropriate ways to interact with, handle, and present ambassador animals.
- Assists the Education staff in the development and implementation of educational opportunities including but not limited to keeper talks, animal encounters for guests, animal presentations, including stage shows, events, media appearances, and all outreach programs.
- Supports the Animal Health Center staff with health assessments/medical procedures of ambassador animals including follow up care and treatment as indicated.
- Participates in scientific research as needed and collaborates on efforts pertaining to the collection, such as reproduction, research, enrichment, training, and conservation programs.
- Liaison for various departments needing Animal Ambassadors for their events, including but not limited to Animal Department, Group Sales, Events, PR and Marketing, Development and Guest Services.
- Performs related work as assigned.
Experience Required
- Three (3) years of experience working with, handling, and training animals. and two (2) years of ambassador animal management experience in a Zoo
Perks
- medical, dental, vision, PTO, paid parental leave, retirement plan
Salary
- Negotiable
