Zoo Nutritionist

Now is a great time to join our family and be a part of Zoo Miami’s dynamic future as we strive to ‘Share the wonder of wildlife and help conserve it for generations to come’. Experiencing an exciting time of advancement, Zoo Miami is focused on five strategic priorities: Animal Well Being, Conservation and Stewardship, Guest Experience, Financial Strength, and Performance Excellence

Zoo Miami is proud to be active in many global wildlife and environmental conservation initiatives and is involved in over 36 projects taking place on six continents. The largest and oldest zoological garden in Florida, Zoo Miami is the only tropical zoo in the continental United States, occupying almost 750 acres (340 developed), the Zoo is home to approximately 2,500 animals representing nearly 400 different species.

Zoo Miami currently has a full-time Zoo Nutritionist available.  We are searching for a team-oriented candidate that will be creative, engaging and deliver an exceptional guest experience by creating friendly and positive interactions with all guests and co-workers. 

This position reports directly to the Chief of Animal Heath. This position develops, implements and manages the nutrition program for the zoo collection including monitoring diet consumption, diet formulation, and implementation.

Responsibilities/duties include, but are not limited to:

• Responsible for developing, managing and implementing the nutrition program for the zoo collection including monitoring diet consumption, diet formulation, and implementation; provides guidance for the department procedures manual. 
• Annual review of the dietary husbandry protocols (including dietary behavioral enrichment items) to ensure nutritional adequacy of diets in regards to maintenance of health, breeding soundness, environmental enrichment and training.
• Responsible for approving all consumable items and diet changes; responsible for quality control testing for hay, fish, insect, meat (including whole prey items), grain, canned goods and produce.
• Assists horticulturalists with the management and continued development of the browse program and surveillance of the grounds and enclosures for toxic plants.        
• Initiates and collaborates with the zoo veterinarians on clinical investigations and research projects as it relates to animal health and nutrition; responsible for advising the Senior Veterinarian on nutrition issues that require further investigation; will serve as point person on all nutrition research projects.            
• Responsible for maintaining accurate records and preparing reports as it relates to animal nutrition; responsible for overseeing all commissary operations are conducted in a manner that meets or exceeds AZA and USDA requirements and federal, state and industry standards; remains current with pertinent regulations and standards (federal, state, industry, etc) that may affect zoo programs, and provides recommendations for complying with relevant regulations.
• Feeds animals in accordance with nutritional and behavioral requirements as specified by curatorial and nutritional staff; participates in approved scientific research and educational projects.
• Participates in additional conferences, workshops, seminars, NAG and AZA committees as approved by the Senior Veterinarian.
• Actively participate in the zoo nutrition community.
• Provides oversight of vendors, foods items, food supply, sustainability and budgeting for Nutrition supported by the Nutrition Manager.

Experience Required

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree. Two years of experience working with nutritional issues for captive wildlife is required.
• Must be able to lift 40 pounds.
• Advanced degree in animal nutrition and supervisory experience is preferred. Preferred

Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in animal nutrition and supervisory experience is highly preferred.
• Experience with Nutritional analysis software, word processing and spreadsheets.

Salary

This is a full time position with excellent benefits as an employee of Miami-Dade County.