Hoofstock Supervisor

Emirates Park Zoo; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A major zoological park in Abu Dhabi is seeking a dedicated team leader for animal care. The successful candidate will supervise keepers, oversee daily husbandry tasks, and ensure that health and safety policies are followed. The role requires excellent leadership skills and a strong commitment to animal welfare. Ideal candidates should have 3-5 years of relevant experience in a controlled environment and be enthusiastic about public interactions. Flexibility for weekend and holiday work is essential.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of prior animal care experience at a controlled environment facility.
• Good communication skills and enthusiasm for interacting with the public.
• Must be dependable and demonstrate flexibility regarding work schedules.

Responsibilities

• Supervise keepers and oversee daily animal husbandry tasks.
• Participate in record keeping and maintaining exhibits.
• Train and coach staff regarding media contact and customer relations.

Skills

Exhibit design and enrichment

Biosafety procedures

Health and safety

Good leadership and management skills

Excellent computer skill

Presentation skills

Reporting skills

Interpersonal communication and teamwork

Communicate effectively in English (verbal and written)

Education

High school zoology or related field

Job description

Duties & Responsibilities

1. Supervise keepers in assigned areas including daily work scheduling training performance evaluations and hiring with line manager.
2. Develop and mentor progress of Keepers.
3. Oversee medication administration prescribed by the veterinarian.
4. Oversee daily animal husbandry including but not limited to cleaning feeding watering securing training observing and enrichment.
5. Participate in record keeping and maintaining exhibits.
6. Assists in development and delivery of educational programs formally through Education Department and informally through interaction with zoo guests; assists with tours for guests staffs and volunteers; may assist in research projects.
7. Assures feeding schedules and dietary requirements are met.
8. Oversee coordinates and managing breeding programmes reproduction and neonate care programs.
9. Participate in pest control plan and operations.
10. May assist managers as required.
11. Provides support and guidance to hoofstock keepers.
12. Generates work requests and coordinates completion.
13. Ensures accurate and complete records of animal activities.
14. Support the goals of EPZ departments collection plan strategic and Master Plans.
15. Prepares purchase requisitions for equipment and supplies.
16. Oversees/coordinate animal introductions moves restraints and shipments.
17. Accompanies veterinary staff on medical rounds and assures procedures are followed.
18. Discusses morbidity and mortality with veterinary staff.
19. Regularly inspects and observes assigned collection for overall health and welfare.
20. Trains and coaches staff regarding media contact conflict resolution and appropriate guest and customer relations.
21. Provide marketing material.
22. Participate in required lectures seminars and workshops as part of their job.
23. Provide on job training for keepers.
24. Ensure effective implementation of the health and safety policies and regulations.
25. Prepare reports as required by the line manager.
26. Prepares annual work plans for the assigned area.
27. Observes animals to detect illnesses and injuries and notifies vet health care department of findings.
28. Involve in transfers animals from one enclosure to another for purposes such as breeding giving birth rearrangement of exhibits or shipping if needed.
29. Handling Captures and restrains animal.
30. Participates in establishing animal collection plan studbooks identification surplus list and record keeping.
31. Visitors interactions including scheduled onground talks to our guests answers visitors questions concerning animals habits.
32. Maintain the highest level of safety in the work area through implementation of safety protocols and procedures to ensure safety for the animal and visitors.
33. Completes daily worksheets listing amount of food eaten etc.
34. Participate in and support collaborative efforts pertaining to the care of the collection including training enrichment research and education.
35. Actively foster constructive attitudes and a team orientation among staff.
36. May assist vets in treatment of animals for illnesses and injuries.
37. Any other relevant duties assigned by the line manager and or zoo manager.

Tasks may include heavy manual and skilled work such as moving and manipulating heavy food items hoses bales of hay equipment and crated animals.

Requirements

Skills

• Exhibit design and enrichment
• Biosafety procedures
• Health and safety
• Good leadership and management skills
• Excellent computer skill
• Presentation skills
• Reporting skills
• Interpersonal communication and team work
• Communicate effectively in English (verbal and written)

Qualifications / Experience

1. High school zoology or related field is preferred.
2. At least 3 5 years of prior animal care experience at a controlled environment facility.
3. Good communication skills an enthusiasm for interacting with the public and a willingness to give regular talks to visitors special groups etc.
4. Must be able to function as a team member and support zoo’s mission.
5. Must be dependable and demonstrate flexibility regarding work schedules.
6. Must be willing to work weekends and holidays and some evening events.
7. Must be able to work outdoors in inclement weather.
8. English is must Arabic is preferred.
9. Must be willing to work with different cultures and nationalities.
10. Must be able to perform strenuous work and lift at least 50 KG repetitively bending lifting etc.
11. Good judgment in evaluating situations and making decisions.
12. Exemplifies the highest standard of work ethics.