The Dallas Zoo is seeking a leader to join our Animal Ambassador Experiences team. Ambassador Animals cares for a diverse collection of birds, mammals, and reptiles that participate in programs both on and off Zoo grounds. These animals are featured in dynamic, guest-centered experiences designed to inspire connection while prioritizing animal well-being. Our program is focused on implementing welfare-driven practices that emphasize choice and control and immersive experiences that allow animals to demonstrate natural behaviors and guests to form meaningful connections.
- This position works closely with the other Zoological Manager, Associate Curator, and Senior Curator to lead a team of Zoologists and oversee daily operations within assigned ambassador areas.
- The Zoological Manager is responsible for personnel management, training and development of staff, and implementation of effective husbandry, training, and enrichment programs to ensure exemplary animal care.
- The Manager serves as a primary contact and liaison for their area and supports the delivery of high-quality ambassador programming that aligns with the Dallas Zoo’s mission of Engaging People & Saving Wildlife.
SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Organize, coordinate, and establish priorities for assigned section’s daily activities, overseeing animal care staff and providing both written and oral instructions.
- Develop, implement, and communicate all aspects of the animal program, ensuring effective documentation, accurate records, and clear communication with direct reports, curatorial, and veterinary staff.
- Mentor, develop, and evaluate employees for professional growth, including writing and reviewing annual performance plans and appraisals.
- Lead by example and maintain familiarity with all aspects of animal training and husbandry routines.
- Proactively identify, oversee, and participate in operant conditioning, behavioral management, and environmental enrichment programs; collaborate with Associate Curators/Curator and Behavioral Husbandry staff regarding training goals, behavioral management plans, and introductions (including mixed species).
- Organize and appropriately delegate tasks to Assistant Supervisors and Lead Zoologists.
- Hire and train animal care staff in all aspects of husbandry, including diet preparation, feeding, cleaning, and exhibit maintenance.
- Develop and maintain protocols, programs, and ambassador-specific SOPs to meet and exceed USDA and AZA standards, including animal handling, transport, program use, and public presentation.
- Regularly observe and monitor the health and welfare of animals in the area.
- Prepare and maintain records of animal management including daily behavior, breeding behavior, restraint, and routine and non-routine medical procedures.
- Confer with veterinary staff regarding health and preventative medicine programs, report relevant health concerns, and assist with treatments and procedures as necessary.
- Oversee animal propagation and breeding programs, ensuring staff and facilities are prepared and protocols are implemented and monitored.
- Coordinate and manage safe animal capture, restraint, and transfers (within the zoo and between institutions) in compliance with professional and veterinary standards.
- Work closely with curatorial staff on institutional collection planning and animal acquisition/deacquisition.
- Ensure exhibits and facilities meet high standards of animal welfare, aesthetics, and regulatory compliance; prioritize exhibit enhancement projects, participate in renovations, and communicate facility needs through appropriate channels.
- Follow all safety protocols to ensure the safety of animals, staff, and the public; serve as a member of the Dallas Zoo Emergency Response Team.
- Complete incident reporting and documentation, ensure follow-up discussions occur, and communicate safety or facility issues to the Curator in a timely manner.
- Under Curator/Associate Curator direction, communicate with vendors, purchase equipment and supplies, and obtain estimates for small capital projects for annual budgeting.
- Keep current with animal and husbandry research and correspond with other institutions and specialists.
- Oversee the quality, consistency, and welfare-first delivery of guest-facing ambassador animal programs.
- Establish and uphold interpretation and guest engagement standards, including messaging frameworks, presentation quality, and conservation storytelling.
- Collaborate with internal stakeholders to align program design, animal management decisions, and departmental policies.
- Support development of community and institutional partnerships that advance ambassador programming and mission delivery.
- Present animal talks to Zoo visitors and represent the Zoo in media and public presentations.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
- A bachelor’s degree in biology or related science field is preferred
- Must have strong supervisory skills: ability to promote positive morale and productivity;
- Must have extensive knowledge of animal husbandry, with at least nine years preferred of exotic animal care experience, at an AZA-accredited facility, three years at a supervisory level;
- Minimum of three years’ experience working in an ambassador animal setting strongly preferred;
- Advanced free flight bird experience strongly preferred;
- Must be solution-oriented, finding creative solutions for complex challenges;
- Demonstrated interest and expertise in management, reproduction, and training;
- Comprehensive knowledge of reproduction, as well as neonate care;
- Comprehensive knowledge of behavioral management, including operant conditioning philosophy, techniques and terminology, as well as benefits and goals of environmental enrichment;
- Incumbent should have broad interests in research, behavior and conservation;
- Excellent facilitation, as well as communication skills, both oral and written;
- Comfort with computer software: MS Word, Excel, Outlook, Power Point;
- Ability to represent the Zoo in a professional manner at all times;
- Ability to exercise sound judgment in emergency situations and to respond with appropriate action;
- Ability to work with minimal supervision, must be self-directed;
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationship with others;
- Must be able to walk, stand, sit, kneel, stoop, crawl, twist, reach above head, pull bend, climb stairs and ladders and carry up to 50 lbs;
- Must be able to work holidays and weekends and actively work outdoors extreme weather;
- Successful candidates must pass pre-employment drug screening, background check and TB test;
- Must have a valid Texas Class C driver’s license or the ability to obtain this license, to operate zoo vehicles.
- Must have reliable transportation.
