This position provides leadership to the Animal Care staff of the Bird Department at the Minnesota Zoo in support of the Zoo’s mission to connect people, animals, and the natural world to save wildlife. The incumbent curates a diverse collection of animals, supervises all aspects of daily operations, and ensures the highest quality professional care, training, and wellbeing for the collection. The position obtains and manages the resources needed to support all trail programs.
- This position is a member of the Animal Care leadership team and collaborates with other Zoo departments.
- They contribute to initiatives of the CHCB team (Care, Health, Conservation and Behavior) as it relates to the Zoo’s strategic priorities in animal care and education.
Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Exercise supervisory authority while developing, directing, and managing the Bird Department’s personnel so that required staffing resources are available and strategically invested and department policies are developed and implemented that most effectively support the Minnesota Zoo’s mission and strategic priorities.
- Provide industry-leading animal husbandry and welfare to departmental animal collection.
- Lead efforts to develop innovative new, and improve current, interpretation of animals in the Bird Department so that Minnesota Zoo visitors and others receive educational and entertaining presentations featuring mission driven information.
- Deliver and maintain industry-leading, engaging, animal displays which meet and exceed industry welfare standards.
- Serve as a key member of the Animal Care supervisory team ensuring development and accomplishment of the Minnesota Zoo’s mission, strategic priorities, conservation plan, education plan, nature plan and master plan.
Experience Required
- The following qualifications are required of all applicants seeking consideration for this position.
- Only applicants whose application materials clearly demonstrate fulfillment of each of these minimum qualifications will be considered for the position. To facilitate proper crediting, please ensure that your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed and indicates the beginning and ending month and year for each job held.
- Minimum Qualifications
- Seven (7) years animal care experience in an AZA or equivalent organization
- Three years of supervisory or team lead experience in an AZA or equivalent organization sufficient to provide leadership to staff and ensure the care and wellbeing of animals
- Expertise in animal welfare, care, and sustainable population management
- Supervisory skills sufficient to strategically plan, develop, communicate, and implement animal management philosophy, goals and objectives; mentor, lead and hold staff accountable; and develop and administer budgets for a mid-sized organization
- Well-developed human relationship skills sufficient to lead, motivate, mentor, educate and supervise staff and respond with sensitivity to their varied needs
- Communication skills sufficient to convey complex biological and scientific concepts to diverse and varied audiences and bring staff and the public to action to support an initiative or program
- Computer skills using business and animal management software applications, such as Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, Teams, ZIMS, etc., sufficient to create, enter, edit, save, and retrieve memos, data, reports, presentations, or other documents
- Demonstrated commitment and ability to work with culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities and/or organizations sufficient to maintain a work environment that respects and values differences and diversity
- Demonstrated ability to manage disagreement, defuse conflicts, and reach constructive solutions while maintaining positive relationships
- Ability to act as an official professional representative and promote the philosophy and mission of the Zoo at public speaking events to local, state, and national audiences
- Valid driver’s license and valid and current passport (or ability to obtain)
- Current CPR/1st Aid certifications Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in zoology, conservation biology, ecology, environmental science or other related discipline
- Advanced degree in related field
- Experience working with and leading others working with carnivores
- Work experience with regional, national, and international conservation initiatives
- Experience with animal research and conservation projects, including experience publishing results in peer-reviewed journals • Experience in participation or lead work in an AZA management program (TAGs, SSPs, studbook, etc.)
- Experience working with State government
- Experience working in a union environment
- Fluent in a second language, such as Spanish, Hmong, ASL, etc.
Salary
- Determined based on education and qualifications
