Animal Care Supervisor

Santa Barbara Zoo; Santa Barbara (CA); On-site; USD 43,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Great team

Free parking

Zoo membership

Professional development

Paid time off

Job summary

The Santa Barbara Zoo is seeking an Animal Care Supervisor to coordinate daily animal care operations, supervise keeper staff, and support mission-focused programs. Under direction of the Zoological Managers, the role oversees welfare, exhibit maintenance, training and enrichment, and collaboration with veterinarians and nutritionists to maintain high standards of animal care and guest experience.

This full-time, on-site position offers a competitive hourly wage and opportunities for

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Life Science such as Biology, Zoology, Ecology, or closely related discipline.
• Minimum three years of experience in routine animal husbandry in a zoo, aquarium, or closely related activity.
• Valid driver’s license with good driving record is desirable; ability to certify in First Aid/CPR/AED; TB test and rabies titer may be required.

Responsibilities

• Supervises direct reports (keepers) with coaching, feedback and annual evaluations.
• Supports day-to-day operations and supervises animal care tasks as assigned.
• Acts as Animal Care/Zone Point of Contact when directed or in manager’s absence.
• Collaborates with veterinarians and nutritionists to ensure high welfare and appropriate nutrition.
• Ensures adherence to AZA, USDA, and related standards and maintains guest experience quality.

Skills

Leadership

Coaching

Team supervision

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Life Science such as Biology, Zoology, Ecology, or closely related discipline

Tools

Two-way radio

Capture equipment

Electric cart

Front loader & forklift

Job description

The Santa Barbara Zoo is looking for an Animal Care Supervisor to coordinate daily animal care operations, supervise keeper staff, and support mission-focused animal care and zoo-wide initiatives.

Position Status: Full-Time, Hourly, Regular, Non-exempt

Schedule: 40 hours per week, work days TBD

Compensation: $31.30 - $34.50 per hour

SUMMARY: Under the general direction of the Zoological Managers and Director of Animal Care, the Animal Care Supervisor is responsible for supervising and coordinating daily animal care operations to optimize animal care and wellbeing, maintenance and cleanliness of exhibits, supervising keeper staff, supporting and implementing mission-focused animal care and zoo-wide programs and initiatives, ensuring compliance with regulations, and providing a positive guest experience. The Animal Care Supervisor will be assigned to animal care zones based on departmental needs and assigned direct reports based on animal care zone needs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES: Animal Care & Welfare:

Supervises direct reports (keepers) as assigned by Zoological Manager, including coaching and mentoring, regular feedback and accountability, and annual performance evaluation.

Collaborates with the Zoological Manager to support management of a team of Keepers in providing the highest standards of care to ensure the health and well‑being of the animal population

Supports the Zoological Manager with day‑to‑day operations, and is responsible for supervising animal care operational tasks as assigned by Zoological Manager

Acts as Animal Care and/or Zone Point of Contact when directed, and in Zoological Managers’ absence

Acts as a role model/leader in animal husbandry, health issues, and welfare

Applies an understanding of animal husbandry, health, and welfare to determine animal management direction, including operational procedures

Recognizes and determines the seriousness of abnormal behavior and medical condition

Recognizes the importance of animal welfare and regularly assesses the welfare of animals through daily operations and population level welfare assessments, including facilitating welfare assessments, collation of assessments and completion of identified actions, and strives to optimize welfare for all animals under their care

Assists with regular adherence to USDA Animal Welfare Act, regional, federal, and AZA standards associated with animal care and welfare, and ensures Animal Care staff are accountable to these standards

Assists Zoological Manager in ensuring that all animal husbandry and health duties are performed in the safest manner, following established standard operating guidelines (SOGs) and protocols

Identifies specific animal husbandry/health problems, and implements a systematic approach to solving the problem

Communicates veterinary and animal husbandry information in a timely manner to the keeper team, Animal Care & Health team, and to Senior Management staff

Works collaboratively with the Veterinarians and Veterinary staff to ensure the highest level of medical care for the animals in the collection

Works collaboratively with the Nutritionist to ensure optimal nutrition and feeding strategies for the animals in the collection

Assists the Zoological Manager in ensuring the application of training to optimize care and welfare, supports keepers in the identification and implementation of training goals, developing shaping plans, and collaborates with the animal training consultants to achieve training goals and advance the training program

Assists Zoological Manager to ensure the application of enrichment and enriching experiences to optimize care and welfare, supports keepers in the identification and prioritization of enrichment goals, evaluates enrichment activity schedules & devices to determine effectiveness, and collaborates with enrichment consultants to achieve enrichment goals and advance the behavioral enrichment program

Supports the Animal Training and Enriching Experiences Programs to advance the behavioral enrichment program

Assists the Zoological Manager to develop and support the Ambassador Animal Program

Collaborates with the Animal Care team and other zoo departments on exhibit/animal space modifications and enhancements, and designing new exhibits/animal spaces

Assists with development, review and updating all applicable SOG’s and protocols for animal husbandry and the Ambassador Animal Program

Attends weekly Animal Management and Quarterly Animal Welfare Assessment Working Group meetings in the Zoological Manager’s absence or as directed

Supports the goals of breeding programs for managed populations (SSPs) and may be assigned as an institutional representative for managed populations (SSPs)

Actively encourages and supports Keepers to participate in AZA animal programs (TAGs, SAGs, SSPs, SAFE programs, committees) and leads by example by supporting AZA animal programs, such as being a SSP coordinator, studbook keeper, TAG/SAG/SAFE/other committee member

Encouraged to present at scientific meetings/workshops/conferences, to give informal presentations, and to prepare scientific papers or articles for publication

Gives informal and formal presentations or trainings to zoo staff as assigned

Knowledge of AZA accreditation standards and AZA animal programs

Assists Zoological Manager to ensure animal daily records are entered into the electronic recordkeeping system (ZIMS) accurately, consistently, and in a timely manner

Collaborates effectively with other departments such as Education, Guest Services, Institutional Advancement, and Marketing to achieve the goals of the AC&H department and zoo-wide programs and initiatives

Other duties as assigned

CONSERVATION & SCIENCE:

Assists Zoological Manager by collaborating with the Conservation & Science department to support participation in local conservation programs and fieldwork opportunities

Assists Zoological Manager by collaborating with the Director of Conservation & Science, Veterinarians, and Director of Animal Care to fulfill institutionally approved research requests

Supports in-house research activities and welfare studies

EMERGENCY SITUATIONS:

Acts as incident commander in animal escape situations or other emergency situations as appropriate

Responds to animal emergencies quickly and calculates risks involved for animals, guests, and staff

Remains calm and creates an atmosphere of calm and control for those dealing with the emergency situation

Utilizes emergency chemical immobilization as required and trained

Uses capture equipment when required

Collaborates with the Zoological Manager to evaluate the impact of emergency or mock situations on all areas of the Zoo and suggests improvements to the emergency response systems

GUEST RELATIONS:

Ensures exhibit presentation quality standards for cleanliness and maintenance to maximize our guest experience

Assists the Zoological Manager to ensure appropriate, well‑maintained graphics and signage at exhibits.

Interacts with guests to assist and share information about animal care and wellbeing

Responds to all guest inquiries, complaints, and comments according to Zoo guest relations procedures

Assists Zoological Manager in developing and facilitating formal and informal educational programs

STAFF DEVELOPMENT:

Supervises Animal Care Keepers, Volunteers, and Interns and/or performs duties of subordinates as needed

Assists Zoological Manager in sharing critical information, best practices, and procedures on a consistent basis with staff to achieve departmental and zoo-wide goals

Demonstrates leadership skills that support staff, goals of the AC&H department and zoo-wide programs and initiatives

Participates regularly in training provided by the zoo and by external consultants/classes for the development of their leadership skills, including but not limited to, coaching, difficult conversations, providing feedback, conflict resolution, and time management

Provides staff coaching and feedback on a regular basis to direct reports such as one on one meetings, coaches coworkers, volunteers, and interns, and provides informal feedback as needed

Performs regular, formal evaluations for direct reports

Promotes a collaborative relationship across the whole AC&H department and with other zoo departments

Provides staff training and shares expertise on animal husbandry, handling, capture, restraint, animal training, enrichment, and animal welfare

Collaborates with the Director of Animal Care and Zoological Managers to develop and implement professional development opportunities and pathways for the Keepers that relate to animal care, animal welfare, animal training, behavioral enrichment, AZA programs, public relations, interpersonal skills, and leadership skills

Proactively supports opportunities for the Keepers to contribute to conservation programs and participate in conservation fieldwork

Encourages staff to present at scientific meetings/workshops/conferences, to give informal presentations, and to prepare scientific papers or articles for publication

Collaborates with the Zoological Managers in staff assessment, the hiring process, development of performance improvement plans and termination processes

Assists the Zoological Manager in developing and facilitating team goals in accordance with departmental and zoo goals

Builds relationships and collaborates with peers at other AZA institutions

OPERATION AND BUSINESS:

Exemplifies the highest ethical standards to ensure the health and well‑being of the animal collection

Reports animal maintenance issues and potential hazards for staff in a timely manner

Identifies and allocates resources appropriately for efficient day‑to‑day operations and in response to emergency situations.

Holds direct reports and peers accountable for their performance

Assists the Zoological Manager with scheduling staff in a manner that prioritizes animal welfare, health, operational needs, and conservation opportunities. Recognizes when overtime hours are required and requests appropriate staff overtime

Collaborates with Zoological Managers and other Animal Care Supervisors to optimize efficiency and effectiveness of the department

Completes all tasks associated with time card processing

Collaborates with HR and Education to schedule interns

Collaborates with the Volunteer Supervisor and Zoological Manager to schedule volunteers

Collaborates with the Education Department to develop and maintain the Ambassador Animal program and animal experiences program

Collaborates with animal events to develop and support animal experience programming

Assists with AZA accreditation preparations and inspections as needed, safety inspections, and USDA inspections

Represents the zoo for public relations and media events on behalf of the department

Adheres to Zoo’s policies and procedures as outlined in the Employee Policy Manual

Attends bi‑monthly all‑employee meetings

Attends departmental meetings as assigned

Attends volunteer meetings as needed

SECONDARY DUTIES:

Guest Relations:

Greets every guest with a smile

Thanks guests for supporting/visiting the Zoo

Answers phone calls, voice mails, and e‑mails promptly

Ensures the Zoo’s presentation standards for cleanliness and maintenance are met by keeping work areas clean, picking up trash, reporting unsafe or unsightly conditions

Associates with guests to assist and share information

Responds to all guest inquiries, complaints, and comments according to Zoo guest relations procedures

Maintains a clean neat appearance and adheres to the Zoo’s uniform dress code

Takes responsibility for staying informed about happenings at the Zoo, such as reading employee communications and attending meetings

Reflects the qualities outlined in the Guest Relations Statement, the Zoo’s Core Values, and the Employee Pledge

Applies and exemplifies “green” (sustainable) practices whenever possible

Other miscellaneous duties as required

POSITION CRITERIA:

Education & Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in Life Science such as Biology, Zoology, Ecology, or closely related discipline

Minimum three years of experience in routine animal husbandry in a zoo, aquarium, or closely related activity

Demonstrated leadership abilities

License, Certification, or Preferred Qualifications:

Valid driver’s license with good driving record is desirable

Ability to certify in First Aid/CPR/AED

Must have current negative TB test and rabies titer and provide documentation, or be willing to have a TB test and rabies titer

Hiring contingent on successful LiveScan DOJ background check

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

Knowledge of animal behavior and natural history

Knowledge of procedures for observation, handling/restraint, training, enrichment, reproduction, facility needs and health of animals

Understanding of emergency situation procedures, specifically those involved with guest and staff safety

Must possess sound judgment and ability to use common sense for effective decision‑making

Basic computer skills (Word, Outlook, Excel)

Ability to remain calm and lead in stressful situations and in times of emergency/crisis

Ability to interact with a team including the ability to gather information and generate team consensus

Ability to follow oral and written direction

Effective oral and written communication skills

Ability to develop warm and friendly relationships at work

Ability to interact courteously and respectfully with supervisors, fellow employees, volunteers, our guests

Ability to exercise safe work habits while in the proximity of potentially dangerous animals

Awareness of, sensitivity to, and empathy with animals

Physical Demands & Work Environment:

Requires the ability to access all areas of the facility

Ability to negotiate the zoo work environment including behind‑the‑scenes, lawns, gravel, and hilltop

Must be able to participate in operational practices; including climbing stairs, manipulating tools, and standing/walk for long periods of time

Must be physically able to operate a variety of machines and equipment including electric cart, two‑way radio, and capture equipment

Ability to be trained for the use of heavy equipment

Must be able to lift 50 pounds occasionally, and 10 or fewer pounds frequently

Ability to exert a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly push, pull, or otherwise move objects

The ability to use abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing

The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs

The ability to be an active member of the Weapons Team (Training and Emergencies)

Ability to work successfully in a shared office with open space

Involves working out of doors in all weather conditions

Supportive and open employment culture

Tools Used:

Standard cleaning equipment such as hoses, rakes, shovels, and brooms

Two‑way radio

Personal Computer and software (Word, Excel, Outlook) and other zoo‑related software

Capture equipment

Electric cart

Hand tools

Electrical tools

Weapons (Training & Emergencies)

Automobile

Heavy equipment such as front loader, forklift and dump truck

Personal Protection Equipment

BENEFITS & PERKS:

Great team, beautiful grounds, amazing animal collection, sunshine & ocean view almost year‑round!

Free parking, free guest passes, unlimited free tea/coffee every morning, 20% discounts on food services and retail purchases

Access to the Collabornation learning platform, professional development, and lunch & learn opportunities

Comprehensive benefits package for FTR staff, voluntary supplemental insurances, zoo membership, paid sick leave, paid vacation time, 403(b) and SEP retirement plans, a paid conservation day, a paid Zoo Day to visit another AZA accredited institution, paid time off to take your pet to the vet, and much more...

This job description is representative of the expectations of the position described. Additional duties, reporting relationships, and/or position criteria may be assigned as deemed necessary by the Chief Executive Officer or authorized representative. No changes to this job description shall be made without written permission by the Chief Executive Officer or authorized representative.

The Zoo reserves the right to revise this job description at any time. The job description does not constitute a contract for employment, and does not guarantee employment for any specified period of time. The job description does not in any way alter the at‑will employment relationship.

At this time, the Zoo does not sponsor employment or internship visas.