Animal Care Supervisor

Chattanooga Zoo; Chattanooga (TN); On-site; USD 50,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

The Chattanooga Zoo is seeking an Animal Care Supervisor to support the Director of Animal Care & Conservation. This leadership role emphasizes attention to detail, crisis response, and high standards of animal care while serving as Animal Manager on Duty outside regular hours.

Ideal candidates have strong interpersonal and leadership skills, plus animal husbandry expertise. This role reports to the Director of Animal Care & Conservation and participates in a team-driven zoo operation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or higher education is not required if experience is sufficient.
• Minimum ten (10) years of paid zoo animal care experience with relevant taxa/programs.
• Combination of education and experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Provide onsite supervision during and after hours, including emergencies and guest relations.
• Serve as the animal care department point of contact for time-sensitive or emergency situations.
• Participate in the Animal Care management team.
• Coordinate emergency response as part of the Emergency Response Team (ERT).
• Act as primary/secondary key holder for select species when needed.
• Lead department and zoo-wide emergency drills and preparedness.
• Adjust departmental schedules to ensure full coverage of animal areas.
• Monitor weather conditions and communicate updates to staff during severe weather.

Skills

Leadership

Interpersonal skills

Animal husbandry

Crisis response

Education

Associate's degree in biology, Zoology, Environmental Education or related field

Job description

The Chattanooga Zoo is looking for an exceptional Animal Care Supervisor. This position is the primary support to the Director of Animal Care & Conservation. This position requires a strong attention to detail, ability to respond quickly and calmly in crises, and maintain high standards of animal care. This person should have strong interpersonal skills, leadership skills, as well as animal husbandry skills. This position serves as an Animal Manager on Duty as well, both during and outside normal operating hours. The Zoo staff is a team and employees are expected to assist wherever needed in the zoo operation when needed.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provide onsite supervision during and after normal operating hours including emergency management, husbandry or safety issues that may arise, and guest relations when needed.
• Serve as the animal care department point of contact for time sensitive or emergency situations.
• Work as a member of the management team for the Animal Care Department.
• Coordinate emergency response as a member of the ERT.
• Serve as a primary or secondary key holder for 2 lock 2 key species when needed.
• Lead department and zoo-wide emergency drills and preparations as assigned by the General Curator.
• Make last-minute adjustments to the departmental schedule as needed to ensure all animal areas have minimum coverage.
• Monitor weather conditions and update animal care staff regularly throughout the day when severe weather is expected.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Associate's degree in biology, Zoology, Environmental Education or related field.
• Minimum ten (10) year's paid zoo animal care experience with relevant taxa and/or programs.
• Any combination of equivalent education and experience to successfully perform the essential functions of the position will be considered.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Light: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently and/or a negligible amount of force to constantly move objects. This position requires sitting or standing for long periods of time but also may require movement across Zoo grounds.

Physical Environment: This position is required to perform work on zoo grounds, often exposed to external elements which include heat/cold, wet/humid, dry/arid and extreme weather conditions. Some sedentary work is also required in an office setting.

The Friends of the Zoo, Inc (Chattanooga Zoo) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Zoo will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourage both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

We are committed to a welcoming environment where employees are encouraged to be their authentic selves. We value the unique qualities, perspectives, and experiences of all individuals.