Animal Care Supervisor

Take the next step in your career by joining the team at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo and grow your experience at one of the most unique sites in Calgary! The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is seeking a full-time permanent Animal Care Supervisor to join our dedicated team. The Animal Care Supervisor is responsible for the oversight and performance of daily husbandry, staff leadership, and informing or applying data-driven animal management within an assigned area of the zoo.

The Animal Care Supervisor is responsible for ensuring high standards of husbandry and welfare, efficient day-to-day operations, and a positive, collaborative team environment. This position requires a proactive leader who utilizes critical thinking to assess and monitor animal welfare and well-being, mentors staff for ongoing professional and skill development and leverages data and the accredited zoo and aquarium community to optimize animal care practices. The Animal Care Supervisor ensures adherence to AZA accreditation standards and contributes to the organization's purpose, vision, mission, and priorities while collaborating closely with the Animal Care Manager to align goals, drive team success, and maintain seamless communication.

Our Purpose | We act for wildlife; saving species and inspiring people to join us.

Our Core Values | Drive impact, nurture connection, cultivate hope, and be bold.

What you will do:

Team Leadership & Development:

• Implement strategic plans for the assigned area, aligning with organizational goals, AZA accreditation standards, and conservation initiatives.
• Allocate resources effectively, including staffing and equipment, to maximize operational efficiency and animal welfare.
• Make data-driven decisions regarding animal welfare, animal movements, habitat modifications, and department operations.
• Anticipate and proactively address potential risks and challenges, developing contingency plans as needed.
• Provide guidance and direction to animal care staff, fostering a positive and productive work environment, empowering them to critically think and assess risks.
• Address complaints, facilitate conflict resolution, and escalate issues to the Animal Care Manager as needed.
• Coordinate training programs and ensure that they are meeting the needs of the team and animals.
• Coordinate staff and volunteer training to support their professional development and advancement.

Advanced Animal Husbandry:

• Coordinate and evaluate all aspects of daily animal care, ensuring the highest standards of husbandry, nutrition, and enrichment.
• Lead the implementation of animal welfare assessments and behavioral monitoring programs.
• Collaborate with managers, veterinarians, and researchers to address complex animal health concerns and contribute to conservation initiatives.
• Ensure that animal enrichment programs are effective and data-driven, utilizing behavioral data to inform strategies.
• Make critical decisions regarding animal health and treatment, in consultation with the managers and veterinary team.
• Ensure compliance with all established animal welfare and wellbeing standards, protocols, and AZA accreditation requirements.
• Coordinate animal movements.
• Evaluate and improve animal care practices through detailed risk assessments, focusing on safety for both animals and staff.
• Review, investigate, and escalate reports of animal near misses, welfare concerns, and relevant documentation.

Data Analysis and Operational Excellence:

• Analyze animal records, behavioral data, and operational metrics to identify trends, evaluate program effectiveness, and inform decision-making.
• Ensure accurate records are kept.
• Optimize operational efficiency and animal welfare by analyzing data to drive process improvements, fostering data-driven innovation, and ensuring habitat maintenance meets the highest safety and welfare standards.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives, fostering a culture of innovation and data-driven decision-making.
• Lead safety training and ensure compliance with AZA and facility policies.

Public Engagement and Organizational Representation:

• Represent the organization in public forums and professional settings, promoting conservation and animal welfare initiatives.
• Deliver educational and inspirational presentations and programs for visitors, community groups, and professional audiences.
• Ensure professional and educational staff interactions with the public.
• Collaborate with departments to integrate animal care with organizational goals.
• Apply insights from meetings and training opportunities to enhance operations.

Related Responsibilities:

• Maintain advanced non-animal-specific skills, such as vehicle operation, chemical application, plant identification, and water quality testing.
• Demonstrate continuous learning, leadership growth, and team development.

What you will bring:

• At least 9 years of experience with a minimum of 6 years of animal care experience at an accredited zoo or aquarium facility, or a comparable wildlife facility.
• At least 3 years of progressively expanded responsibilities in leadership, project management, or program development.
• A bachelor’s degree in biology, zoology, or ecology is preferred.
• Must hold a valid Class 5 Alberta Driver’s license.
• Experience in veterinary collaboration and animal health procedures.
• Experience in providing leadership and mentorship in animal care.
• Experience in leading and implementing process improvements and operational efficiency initiatives.
• Experience in developing and implementing animal training plans would be an asset.
• Proven ability to develop and implement animal care protocols, enrichment programs, and training plans.
• Extensive knowledge of species-specific husbandry, behavior, training, and welfare.
• Strong working knowledge of AZA standards, SSP breeding and transfer plans, and conservation practices and programs.
• Proficiency in data analysis and record keeping, including experience with ZIMS (Zoological Information Management System) or similar systems.
• Demonstrated ability to apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills, including risk management and safety protocols, to make sound decisions under pressure.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and team leadership skills.
• Demonstrated ability to strategically adapt to rapidly evolving priorities and deadlines, ensuring consistently high standards of care and operational efficiency across the team.
• Proactively solicits and utilizes feedback from various sources to drive continuous improvement in departmental processes and practices, fostering a culture of open communication and collaboration.
• Demonstrated commitment to staying abreast of the latest advancements in animal care and leadership best practices, and to facilitating the continuous professional development of the team.
• Ability to maintain the highest level of confidentiality and professionalism when handling sensitive information, ensuring adherence to ethical standards and organizational policies.
• Proven ability to lead independently and collaboratively, demonstrating exceptional initiative and judgment in complex decision-making scenarios.

Working Conditions:

• Comfortable working indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions, including extreme cold, humidity, and hot climates.
• Capable of performing physically demanding tasks unassisted, including walking, standing, crouching, climbing, reaching, pushing/pulling up to 45 kg unassisted, and lifting to 35 kg unassisted.
• Shifts may include evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Call-ins may be required in emergency situations.

The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is an outdoor facility and all staff working at the zoo must be comfortable working in a large variety of outdoor conditions. The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo follows the advice of Environment Canada when responding to temperature and air quality issues.

What the Zoo Offers:

• Competitive compensation, vacation and flex days entitlement.
• Flexible benefits plan, including a health spending account.
• Employer matching RRSP program.
• Discounts on food, beverage, and merchandise.
• Participation in the Staff Pass Benefit plan.
• A fun, rewarding work environment and the opportunity to work in a park full of wild animals.

Are you ready to join one of Canada’s leaders in wildlife conservation? If this position suits your skills, experience, and personal attributes, we want to talk to you.

Apply by doing the following:

1. Watch this video about the conservation work being done at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8J1VH1MBXm0)
2. Submit your resume with a cover letter via our online application system.
3. Fill in the Application questions:

• If hired, when would you be available to start?
• If hired, what would be your salary expectations?
• Do you have a Class 5 Driver's License?
• Briefly tell us about your animal care experience in an accredited zoo and or aquarium, or comparable wildlife facility.

Applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada.

If this position is a fit for you, we encourage you to apply with a resume and cover letter online by May 14, 2025 at 4:00pm MST.

The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo strives to cultivate a workplace in which everyone feels welcome and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. As a conservation organization, we respect and value the diversity of all life and come together as individuals and teammates to achieve the organization’s mission and vision. We recognize the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and work to advance our culture to ensure diverse viewpoints are heard and everyone has an equitable chance to succeed and thrive.

All candidates are thanked for their applications and advised that only those selected for interviews will be contacted.