Curator, Reptiles and Amphibians

General Summary: The Curator of Reptiles and Amphibians is responsible for the scientific management and careful stewardship of the Zoo’s reptile and amphibian collection. This position will support the Zoo to achieve its animal care, conservation, education and DEAI goals.

Essential Functions:

Primary Function:

• Develop and maintain the institutional collection plan for the herpetology collection in collaboration with the General Curator;
• Oversee husbandry and management of all reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates in the collection;
• Oversee management of captive herpetology propagation programs;
• Perform keeper duties as necessary to maintain the collection;
• Work with Water Quality staff to maintain and manage filtration and life-support systems;
• Participate in animal welfare assessments as required;
• Work with Behavior Curator to ensure well-being of all reptiles, amphibians, fish and invertebrates in the collection;
• Collaborate with medical staff on care of hospital patients and quarantine animals;
• Provide input on the design and renovation of Zoo exhibits;
• Oversee development and implementation of envenomation protocols;
• Oversee development and implementation of handling protocols for all potentially dangerous herptiles;
• Participate in relevant conservation programs and fieldwork in collaboration with the Conservation Department;
• Provide consultation for relevant education and research programs;
• Maintain memberships/affiliations in relevant professional organizations;
• Act as a member of the Zoo’s recapture and firearms response teams;
• Act as a back-up for department curators and managers as needed;
• Be available to work holidays and weekends, and to respond to after-hours emergencies;
• Perform other duties as assigned; and,
• Adhere to all policies and procedures of the Zoo.

Communication (Internal and External):

• Represent the institution in relevant AZA Taxon Advisory Groups (TAGs);
• Represent the institution at relevant professional conferences/symposia/meetings;
• Conduct presentations at relevant professional conferences/symposia/meetings and to the general public;
• Disseminate data/information through papers/articles in relevant journals/proceedings/publications;
• Participate in relevant Maryland Zoo committees/meeting; and,
• Act as liaison with the Department of Natural Resources on all reptile and amphibian matters.

Management of Resources (financial, human resources, facilities):

• Assist with recruiting, interviewing and training staff, interns and volunteers; and,
• Manage inventory of antivenin for venomous species in the collection;
• Design and build enclosures for collection animals. .

Minimum Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelors of Science degree in Zoology, Biology, Wildlife Management, or animal related sciences; or,
• Masters in Zoology, Biology, Wildlife Management or animal sciences is preferred.

Experience/Training:

• Three to five years’ experience working with a zoological or private animal collection;
• Experience with captive herptiles and field projects;
• Working knowledge of filtration and life-support systems;
• Working knowledge of animal husbandry;
• Working knowledge of venomous snake handling;
• Valid driver’s license.

Traits Desirable:

• Ability to work with a wide variety of individuals from ethnic, cultural and economic backgrounds;
• Extremely well-organized;
• Strong leadership, communication, mentoring, time management, interpersonal and follow-up skills; and,
• Self-directed, collaborative and detail-oriented.

Equipment:

• Must be able to operate a variety of machines and equipment including telephone, two-way radios, motor vehicles, electric golf carts, hand tools, animal restraint and capture equipment, firearms, gardening/carpentry tools, power equipment, e.g. leaf blower, weed eater, lawn mower, or power washer and computer equipment, scales, transponder reader, digital thermometers and water chemistry equipment. Must be proficient with a word processing and spread sheet program (e.g. Microsoft Word, Excel).

Working Conditions:

• Must be able to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, 25 pounds frequently and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Physical demands are in excess of those for sedentary work; must be able to remain on feet for periods of time, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, push, pull, climb, balance;
• Must be able to travel large areas of the Zoo as needed;
• Must be able to work in an outdoor weather environment in all seasons and weather, including heat/humidity, cold temperatures, and/or wet conditions;
• Must be able to lift and/or carry weights of up to 75 pounds and climb a ladder;
• Exposure to potential environmental hazards such as poison oak/ivy, uneven terrain, and insect bites/stings.
• Exposure to zoonotic diseases and risk of animal attack; and,
• TB test and physical required.

Benefits

• We offer an excellent benefits package including 24 days of Paid Time Off, Sick and Safe Leave and 2 paid holidays. Eligible for medical/dental/vision coverage as well as short term disability/long term disability/life insurance. 401k with employer match available.

Disclaimer:

The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and/or skills required of all personnel so classified. Therefore, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require other or different tasks to be performed when circumstances change.