CURATOR and HEAD KEEPER OF BIRDS
The Angkor Centre for Conservation of Biodiversity (ACCB) was established in 2003 by Allwetterzoo Münster and the Zoological Society for the Conservation of Species and Populations (ZGAP). It was one of the first nature conservation centres in Cambodia, located within Phnom Kulen National Park at the trailhead to the historic site of Kbal Spean, about 50km north of Siem Reap Town and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angkor. The animal
collection at ACCB currently includes approximately 630 individuals from about 40 species of birds, mammals, and reptiles.
The primary goals of the ACCB are:
To promote the rescue of selected native Cambodian wildlife and to provide adequate rehabilitation and release facilities while ensuring the maintenance of internationally recognized standards.
To provide facilities and technical expertise for the conservation breeding of selected threatened species, and to initiate and carry out appropriate reintroduction programs.
To serve as an education and training centre for communities, wildlife officials and visitors to the centre in order to increase awareness of and build capacity for conservation and environmental protection and management, and to promote the
sustainable use of natural resources.
To initiate and participate in wildlife conservation and research activities in Cambodia, including in situ conservation activities, species recovery efforts, biodiversity inventories and natural resource-use assessment, and to provide information to support
management recommendations for protected areas.
ACCB currently offers an exciting and unique opportunity for a Curator and Head Keeper of Birds to join a team of passionate conservationists! Besides working with a variety of species of
diurnal raptors, owls, parakeets and other avian species native to Cambodia, the successful candidate will be working on establishing conservation breeding programmes for Giant Ibis, White-shouldered Ibis and Greater Adjutant Stork and improve existing programmes for Green Peafowl, Lesser Adjutant and Woolly-necked Storks.
Beyond that, she or he will share the responsibility for ACCB’s mammal collection with the Curator and Head Keeper of Reptiles.
This is a challenging but rewarding position for a highly dedicated and motivated individual with a keen interest in making a contribution towards conservation. In addition, she or he will have to be prepared to support a variety of other activities at ACCB as required, such as covering of the Curator and Head Keeper of Reptiles when needed, assisting the Veterinarian, helping with
environmental education, maintenance, administration, participation in special events, or fundraising. The Curator and Head Keeper of Birds is required to live permanently on-site and to
be on call for emergencies.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
The Curator and Head Keeper of Birds plans, makes recommendations and implements all aspects of animal arrivals, husbandry, record keeping, enrichment, breeding, display and rehabilitation and release with a focus on birds. Furthermore, she or he will manage parts of ACCB’s mammal collection (mostly small carnivores).
The successful candidate will work closely with the Curator and Head Keeper of Reptiles, the Veterinarian and (regarding releases) with the Field Conservation Manager and report to the Project Manager. She or he will participate in the long-term planning for the ACCB with regards to conservation breeding programmes, animal husbandry, animal facilities and staff developments in the Animal Department.
Main duties and responsibilities of the Curator and Head Keeper of Birds are:
Supervise and carry out all aspects of animal husbandry and rehabilitation; environmental, dietary and sensory enrichment; preparation for release and animal record keeping
Develop, recommend and implement protocols, standards and guidelines relating to animal husbandry, conservation breeding, enrichment and preparation for release in order to ensure ACCB’s animal collection receives the best husbandry and care possible
by international standards
Oversee and carry out all aspects of animal training and operant conditioning of the permanent animal collection to enhance animal welfare, enrichment and safety
Carry out and supervise all aspects of artificial incubation of avian eggs and special care for neonates and juveniles
Collaborate with the team of the Animal Department in all aspects of hand-rearing of rescued juveniles/orphans of a variety of taxa where necessary
Collaborate with the Project Manager, Field Conservation Manager, and Animal Department Team in pre-release assessments of animals prior to (re-)introduction to the wild
Coordinate closely with the Field Conservation Department regarding release sites or post-release monitoring when required
Coordinate and conduct animal rescues and releases
Carry out animal observations with regards to health issues and behaviour and inform the Veterinarian when illness or injury is suspected
Assist the Veterinarian with animal treatments
Participate in research projects and scientific publications if required
Identify issues with and make suggestions on how to achieve genetically diverse breeding populations, including arrangement of animal transfers with other institutions
Continually learn and adapt techniques to optimize animal husbandry and breeding success
Coordinate closely with the Project Manager in the design, modification and building of enclosures
Perform routine inspection of enclosures for cleanliness and structural defects and perform minor maintenance and repair of animal enclosures when feasible
Identify safety hazards within the Animal Department and develop mitigations
Co-Supervise the animal keeping team with the Curator and Head Keeper of Reptiles;
provide leadership to all subordinate employees and develop training plans
Ensure the training and development of staff expertise in animal husbandry, animal training, conditioning and enrichment
Develop and implement safety guidelines and train subordinate staff members regularly in all safety procedures and considerations; oversee the compliance of the safety guidelines
Assist in the supervision of interns, students or volunteers in collaboration with the senior staff
Keep and report animal records, maintain and improve databases for all animal management records (ZIMS and other software)
Develop and improve existing standard operating procedures for the Animal Department
Report writing
Prepare budget plans in close collaboration with the Curator and Head Keeper of Reptiles and the Project Manager
Prepare budget requests and responsibly manage the allocated budget for the animal welfare and conservation breeding programmes
Purchase and organization of animal food, supplies and enclosure-maintenance materials
Requirements
A degree in zoology, biology, conservation, animal behavior, zoo keeping or related field, or proven equivalent work experience
Proven working experience with a variety of avian species in a zoo, rescue centre, breeding centre or similar working environment is required
A keen interest in conservation is essential
Experience in hand-rearing of avian neonates is required
Experience in artificial incubation is required
Experience in falconry techniques and their application to the rehabilitation of birds of prey would be an advantage
Working experience with mammals and chelonians would be an advantage
Demonstrable experience in staff training and capacity building would be an advantage
Excellent administration, organization and communication skills
Sound knowledge of wildlife and habitat conservation, especially with regards to Southeast Asian conservation issues
Good command of English (spoken and written)
Good improvisational and practical skills
Flexibility and ability to cope with a sometimes heavy workload (also on weekends and possible night shifts) and to multi-task in a demanding environment
Ability to live and work under simple conditions in a rural area. Some previous experience of working/living in developing countries and/or in tropical climates would e an advantage
Computer literacy with a working knowledge of Microsoft Office. ZIMS experience would be an advantage
Physically fit and able to work in a hot and humid climate
Team-working skills and ability to work in a multi-national team
Cultural sensitivity
A clean driving license for cars
Conditions/remuneration:
Free shared accommodation (private room with access to shared bathroom, kitchen and living room), water, electricity and internet at ACCB, located at Kbal Spean in Phnom Kulen National Park
Airfare to/from site if required, including one return flight per year (for contracts 1 year)
Health Insurance expenses will be reimbursed up to 1000 USD per year
Full-time work (usually from 7-11 am and 1-5 pm), with flexibility as required and on-call availability for emergencies
6 days off per month
30 days annual leave per calendar year
The salary provided will be sufficient to allow for a comfortable living in Cambodia
Closing date: Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled and interviews are starting immediately at September 15 th , 2018. Please apply as soon as possible, the latest by October
15th, 2018.
Preference will be given to candidates indicating that they are prepared to stay for longer periods (minimum 1 year). Short-listed candidates will be notified for a Skype interview in due course.
Starting date: as soon as possible
Please apply as soon as possible via email (not exceeding 10 MB) including cover letter, CV and the contact details of two references to:
Mr. Michael Meyerhoff, ACCB Project Manager
Email: application@accb-cambodia.org
Peter Dickinson
Independent International Zoo Consultant        |
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