Assistant Curator
for Behavioral Husbandry
July 09, 2015 - July
24, 2015
Location: Denver,
CO
Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt
Benefits: This
is a regular full-time position with excellent benefits including complete
medical/dental/vision coverage, 403(b) retirement plan and a generous vacation
package.
Employment
Type: Full Time
Department: Animal
Description: At
Denver Zoo, our mission is to secure a better world for animals through human
understanding. We are a respected leader in animal care and exhibition,
conservation programs, scientific study, environmental education and public
service.
Summary:
This position
advances the mission of Denver Zoo by providing strong supervisory leadership
within the animal care team and within the zoo team as a whole. Ensure safe and
engaging exhibition, handling, feeding and husbandry of animal species at the
zoo through applied management of the behavioral husbandry program.
Duties:
Essential
Functions:
•As needed, assists
with curatorial and animal care staff duties during absences in the area.
•Applies practical
knowledge of the principles, practices, methods and techniques of behavioral
husbandry, to the needs and requirements of a variety of exotic animals
sufficient to ensure the optimal exhibition, care and husbandry of those
animals.
•Manages behavioral
husbandry programs to meet Strategic Imperative related goals of the
organization as well as those of the Animal Care Team and individual divisional
goals.
•Works with Curator
of Behavioral Husbandry to develop and implement behavioral husbandry staff
training. Mentor and guide animal care staff towards continued professional
development.
•Attends and
provides support for animal training sessions
•Helps maintain and
manage behavioral program framework (SPIDER model).
•Works with Curator
of Behavioral Husbandry to develop area policies and procedures and provides
implementation and interpretation of policies and procedures to area animal
care staff.
•Recommends,
implements, and coordinates with zookeepers, curators, veterinarians and other
zoo personnel to effectively manage behavior programs in the animal care
department.
•Orders enrichment
and other supplies as needed for area.
•Provides leadership
and guidance towards innovative animal husbandry that is in compliance with AZA
and USDA standards.
•Implements area and
zoo-wide safety standards as they apply to behavioral husbandry.
•Acts as duty
officer as needed. Acts as emergency supervisor during zoo emergencies as
stipulated in the emergency manual. May be a member of the emergency firearm
shoot team as required.
•Professionally
interfaces with other Denver Zoo team members, zoo colleagues, media partners
and other professional organizations.
•Participate in
zoo-wide initiatives such as committees, working groups, etc as needed or
desired.
•Interviews, selects
and oversees behavioral interns and their projects.
•Recognizes and
addresses performance by area team members.
•Monitors and
documents performance evaluations for area staff if applicable. Provides
ongoing feedback regarding levels of performance in regard to the behavioral
husbandry program and related behaviors.
•Provides input
towards the development of departmental budgets.
•Participates in a
variety of professional meetings and activities such as steering committees,
advisory groups, etc. Publishes work as necessary.
•Participates in
conservation, research and educational programs as requested or desired.
Maintains data for behavioral husbandry research projects and assessments.
•Effectively
communicates zoo-wide, division and area information to assigned staff.
•Effectively
communicates within all levels of the organization. Works in a fluid and
flexible manner and successfully address changes and challenges as they arise.
Additional
Responsibilities:
•Works weekends,
holidays as assigned and on occasion evenings, as needed.
•Performs various
tasks as assigned.
Qualifications:
•A bachelor degree
in biology, psychology, zoology, wildlife management or a related field. A
minimum of five years experience as a zookeeper involving behavioral husbandry
training or behavioral evaluation of a variety of exotic animals in an AZA
accredited institution. Comparable facilities may be considered on a case by
case basis. Supervisory or lead keeper experience is recommended. Some
experience may be substituted for education, education may be substituted for
experience at the discretion of the Vice President for Animal Collections.
•Proven expertise in
behavioral science specialty, research methods, public interaction and
interpersonal skills.
•Oral and written
presentation skills.
•Competency in
computer skills; word processor, spread sheets, Internet and networks.
Licensure and
Certification:
•Possession of a
valid Colorado Class “R” Driver’s License within three months of hiring.
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