Director of Animal Care (Husbandry)

Director of Animal Care (Husbandry)

Compensation: $95,000

Are you an experienced leader in animal care, passionate about both animal welfare and team leadership? Loveland Living Planet Aquarium is seeking a Director of Animal Care to oversee a large, multidisciplinary team dedicated to providing exceptional care for our diverse animal collection.

Why Join Us?
As the Director of Animal Care (Husbandry), you will lead a team of over 60 professionals, including curators, animal care specialists, life support technicians, horticulturists, and dive operators. You will play a critical role in shaping the future of animal care at one of the largest aquariums in the Mountain West, ensuring the highest standards of welfare, enrichment, and exhibitry. Loveland Living Planet Aquarium continues to grow as a financially stable and innovative institution, offering long-term career opportunities in a dynamic and mission-driven environment.

Who We’re Looking For

The ideal candidate is an experienced animal care leader who:

• Has at least 8 years of direct animal care and training experience—this is a must.
• Has successfully managed a large team, preferably including managers, supervisors, or leads.
• Excels at influencing and inspiring teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, empathy, and continuous improvement.
• Understands zoological operations, including regulatory compliance, exhibit design, conservation initiatives, and collection management.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing team, ensuring exceptional care for our animal collection.
• Oversee daily operations related to animal care, exhibitry, and environmental quality.
• Foster a positive workplace culture aligned with our values of integrity, excellence, stewardship, and learning.
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory guidelines, including USDA, USFWS, AZA, and OSHA.
• Manage budgets, strategic planning, and project development to support the Aquarium’s mission.
• Represent the Aquarium within the AZA community and broader zoological and conservation fields.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in zoological or biological sciences. (Relevant education and experience combinations may also be considered.)
• 8 ( ) years of direct animal care and training experience across various taxa (birds, herptiles, big cats, otters and other medium non-hoof stock non-primate mammals, teleost fish, elasmobranchs.)
• 5 ( ) years in a leadership role (curator or above) at an AZA-accredited institution, overseeing staff, budgets, and collection management.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and strategic planning skills.
• Experience with animal welfare, training, enrichment, and exhibit design.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Work in a variety of exhibit and non-exhibit settings, including wet and outdoor environments.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and work in physically demanding conditions.
• Available for on-call support, including weekends and holidays as needed.

What’s to Love About Utah?
Utah offers an unparalleled blend of outdoor adventure, natural beauty, and a high quality of life. Home to five stunning national parks, world-class skiing, and endless opportunities for hiking, biking, and recreation, the state is a haven for nature lovers. Whether you enjoy exploring red rock deserts or hitting the slopes in the Wasatch Mountains, Utah has something for everyone. The Great Salt Lake, with its unique species like brine shrimp and brine flies, also serves as a crucial stopover for millions of migratory birds, adding to the state's rich and diverse ecosystem.

The Living Planet Aquarium is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment for all. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or military status.   The Living Planet Aquarium is committed to ensuring individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application and interview process.  Should you require accommodations, please contact accommodation@livingplanetaquarium.org.

Salary : $95,000