Responsibilities/duties include, but are not limited to: Ensures that the health and safety for Zoo Miami’s resident animals are maintained at a high level with a strong emphasis on operant conditioning and daily wellbeing. Supervises and conducts animal operant conditioning/behavioral sessions, conditions new behaviors, and coaches’ staff on maintaining and conditioning new behaviors in coordination with Animal Wellness team; approves and presents animal operant conditioning/behavior and enrichment plans; supervises and authorizes enrichment materials and projects as approved by Animal Care curator.
- These duties may include interacting with and training the animal residents both on and off the habitat, performing voluntary medical behaviors, and basic husbandry care, shifting animals and any needed daily maintenance and cleaning and planning/delivery of behavior-based enrichment.
- Ensures staff is performing daily wellbeing assessments of animals to check for changes in behavior, diet, sickness, reproductive status, etc.
- Coordinates and authorizes research and conservation initiatives of best practices in animal management and reproduction; assists in the performance of specialized animal care, including supervising and participating in the rendering of medical care in collaboration with veterinary staff; administers medication, coordinates, prepares and observes animal introductions, approves daily written and electronic reports (ZIMS) and ensures team members are communicating and recording any changes in behavior, diet, sickness, reproductive status, etc. to the Animal Care management and Animal Health staff as appropriate.
- Ensures that staff prepares/delivers diets as directed by the Zoo Nutritionist; ensures food preparation area is clean, disinfected and properly sanitized as set forth by AZA, USDA, and Zoo Miami.
- Supervises the coordination of special projects to be performed in their area, such as research and educational projects.
- Approves guest engagement and/or staff performing impromptu guest interactions and delivers fun, interactive guest engagement through public keeper talks, tours, and/or impromptu interactions on the public walkway.
- Oversees all new hire and existing Animal Care staff training in their area; carries out instructions of Animal Care management pertaining to or involving animals in their area.
- Oversees the training and internship/volunteer liaison and curriculum.
- Participates in hiring process and makes recommendations regarding hiring and disciplinary actions of subordinates; evaluates and rates employee performance schedules daily work routines; authorizes leave and revises work schedules as needed; completes payroll entries for team.
- Submits work orders for approval; prepares requisitions for equipment and supplies for approval; assists in animal acquisition; performs minor maintenance and repairs on enclosures, equipment, and exhibit furnishings; serves as the lead for exhibit design and construction/maintenance for projects; assists with compiling necessary material supply lists.
- Ensures team members are responsible for lock inspections, lubrication, and primary security of containment areas; makes recommendations for plantings suitable for animal browse and enrichment; ensures appropriate substrate levels for habitats and holding areas.
- Serve as the on-duty supervisor for the Animal Care department on a rotating basis.
- Responds to emergency situations and natural disasters such as animal escapes, injuries, wildfires, and hurricanes in accordance to established operating procedures.
- Performs related work as required which may include completing tests, attending meetings, workshops, etc.; eligible to serve and/or represent Zoo Miami in the following capacities:
- AZA Animal Program Leader
- Taxonomy Advisory Group (TAG)
- Animal Care/Management conferences
- Species Survival Plan
- Volunteer to participate on Dangerous Animal Response Team
Experience Required
- Bachelor's degree.
- Two years of experience in the management and care of a specific taxa, to include supervisory experience, is required.
- Additional experience with specific taxa may substitute for the required education on a year-for-year basis.
- Must possess a Driver's License.
- Must be able to work days, nights, holidays, and weekends on a varied work schedule.
