What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Curator of the ARC position at SFZOO?
The San Francisco Zoological Society(“Society”) is a non-profit institution that manages and raises funds for SanFrancisco Zoo and Gardens (“Zoo”). TheSociety’s mission, supra, issummarized as the 3 c’s: to connect ourvisitors with wildlife so that they careabout nature and ultimately conserveit. The Society’s leadership team iscomprised of a CEO as well as a professional team of Senior Managers. TheSociety endeavors to meet or exceed the standards of its industry peers, includingthose established by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (“AZA”). For over25 years, the Society has been continuously accredited by the AZA.
Upholds the Society’s mission, core values (respect, professionalism,resiliency, efficiency, equality) and other policies/procedures outlined in theEmployee Handbook and elsewhere.
Summary:
Underthe general supervision of the ARC Curator or designee, the Assistant Curatorof ARC Animals position primarily focuses on ARC animal care and secondarilyprovides direct supervision of assigned Education Specialists, interns andvolunteers who staff the Animal Resource Center as well as working with theZoo’s animal behavior and wellness teams. The Animal Resource Center (ARC) ishome to ambassador animals, which are used for educational programs. Thisposition maintains ARC animal operations, including training and enrichment, toassure the highest standards of animal care in ARC educational programs andguest animal encounters. Additionally, the Assistant Curator ensures thatassigned staff have the necessary supplies; is responsible for administrativefunctions; reviews, develops, and/or revises standard operating procedures orother reports; and conducts or coordinates safety training.
Knowledge, Skills, andAbilities:
Thisposition requires extensive knowledge of animal behavior and husbandryincluding the care and feeding of zoo animals, the role of operant conditioningin captive animal care, as well as the hazards of working with zoo animals. Anunderstanding of zoo policies and procedures and a working knowledge of animaldiseases and the principles of biology and zoology is also required. Familiarity with regulatory agencies (AZA,USDA) and their standards or regulations is essential. The Assistant Curatormust stay up to date on all AZA standards pertaining to the care and managementof ambassador animals. They must also work closely with the Director ofTraining and Behavioral Husbandry in regards to animal behavior and enrichmentpractices. This position requires the ability to perform heavy work includingworking safely and effectively with dangerous or exotic mammals, birds,reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates. Exceptional interpersonal skills areessential for developingprograms with children, teens, and adults. The Assistant Curator must keepoperational records, prepare reports, and interact courteously with the public;and must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with orwithout reasonable accommodation.
Section A: Essential Functions
ACof ARC Animals:
- Maintains or reviews logs of animal observations and/or daily operations; implements, develops and/or revises animal care standard operating procedures to ensure proper care, maintenance and safety of animals, their quarters and facilities. Under direction of Curator of ARC or designee, inspects ARC facility to ensure proper care, maintenance, and safety of animals and their quarters.
- Under the oversight of the Curator, and the Director of Training and Behavioral Husbandry, directs ARC animal training and enrichment. Develops and maintains choice and control standards for ambassador animals used in programs, following the AZA ambassador animal and zoo standards.
- Interfaces with Veterinary, Wellness, and Nutrition staffs, and Director of Training and Behavioral Husbandry, to advance animal care and wellbeing.
- Develops and maintains a positive relationship with the ARC animal collection with the ability to handle each for daily care and program participation.
- Participates in training novel behaviors and maintaining existing behaviors following all of the established Zoo policies.
- Animal husbandry including cleaning enclosures, diet preparation, animal training, and assistance in health procedures will be required on an as necessary basis.
AC of Volunteers:
- Under the direction of the ARC Curator or designee, and supported by the Education department develops and oversees youth & adult volunteer programs within the ARC facility, with a focus on volunteer training, safety, positive reinforcement of participation.
- Interfaces with the Education department in regards to the implementation and coordination of Zoo Education programs. Assures that Education staff members are up to date on proper animal handling for animals in programs.
- Coordinates and works with other departments to implement educational programs, activities in public relations, membership, development, facility rentals and other support services.
Both:
- Assists curator with Operations staff in coordinating sectional operations related to maintenance and repair activities, as well as to zoo events.
- Supervises the work of staff (Education Specialists, interns and volunteers) as assigned. Leads and trains employees to maintain the highest standards of animal care which meet AZA standards.
- Provides input for the completion of Annual Performance Evaluations for all assigned subordinate staff including identification or performance objectives and identification of needed training.
- May assist Human Resources in staff training and hiring, or in preparing other reports for incidents such as industrial injury, accident, or vandalism.
- Responsible for administrative functions such as scheduling, work orders, and the ordering, receipt and distribution of diets provided by other departments.
- May administer progressive discipline consulting with department management, ARC curator, and Human Resources.
- Serves as Curator in Charge, may serve on Armed Response Team and may serve a role in native wildlife response.
- May be required to perform the duties of an Education Specialist on an as needed basis.
- Interacts with Zoo visitors courteously and offers proper attention at all times. Organize tours and develop keeper interface with visitors.
SECTIONB: JOB RELATED DUTIES
1. Assists marketing and development staff inpromoting the Zoo's public image and attaining the Zoo's public relations andcommunity service objectives.
2. Assists the Curator in maintaining contactswith individuals and organizations involved in promoting worldwide conservationethics and goals.
3. Performs other duties as required and assigned.
SECTION C: COREEXPECTATIONS
1. Representsmanagement and demonstrates a commitment to the Zoo’s mission statement andits’ core values.
2. Performsduties in a service-oriented manner.
3. Recognizesthe needs of others and treats others with respect and dignity.
4. Maintainsgood work habits and adheres to the employee handbook and all policies andprocedures.
5. Demonstratesa commitment to maintaining a work environment free from discrimination andsexual harassment and supports the Office’s commitment to equal employmentopportunities.
6. Demonstratesa commitment to workplace safety and works with Safety Officer as needed.
7. Demonstratesgood presentation skills in dealing with the public, Zoo Board and internal andexternal stakeholders.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Directlysupervises employees, interns, and volunteers. Carries out supervisoryresponsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies, applicablelaws, and relevant labor laws. Responsibilities may include interviewing, hiring, and trainingemployees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance;rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolvingproblems; ensuring compliance with contracted obligations.
QUALIFICATIONS:To performthis job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essentialduty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of theknowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may bemade to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essentialfunctions.
EXPERIENCE:Minimumthree years paid experience in animal husbandry and captive animal management,including minimum one-year experience with ambassador animals. Supervisory and curatorial experience in amajor zoological institution preferred. Significant lead experience may substitute for supervisory andcuratorial experience.
EDUCATION: Degree in zoology,biology, wildlife management, or related field preferred, from an accreditedcollege or university. Or equal on the job experience as education.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS: The San Francisco Zoo encourages bilingual candidates to apply.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:Thephysical demands described here are representative of those that must be met byan employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilitiesto perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job,the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to standand walk. The employee is occasionallyrequired to sit. The employee mustfrequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or moveup to 80 pounds.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:The workenvironment characteristics described here are representative of those anemployee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilitiesto perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job,the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to movingmechanical parts. The noise level in thework environment is usually moderate. While performing the duties of this job,the employee is frequently exposed to potentially hazardous animals.
Salary Range:$67,000-$72,000
TO APPLY: Apply via our web site at https://candidate.offerdox.com/clients/c32a6703-4c9c-4d70-b296b438a4f2cf91/jobs/13
Please include a cover letter outlining your animal careexperience. No calls please.
(Ref: 67)
Salary : $67,000 - $72,000
