Animal Care Supervisor: Aquatics (Full-Time)

Fort Wayne Zoo; Fort Wayne (IN); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Life Insurance

Long-Term Disability Insurance

403b Plan

403b Matching

Employee Assistance Program

Paid Time Off

Paid Holidays

Paid Health & Wellness Days

Paid Parental Leave

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Pet Insurance Programs

Staff Membership (free)

Concessions and retail discounts

Development opportunities

Appreciation programs

Job summary

The Fort Wayne Zoo is seeking a full-time Animal Care Supervisor for the Aquatics section. This leadership role includes daily supervision, field-focused work (70/30), and active guest engagement. You will supervise staff, monitor animal welfare, manage budgets, and coordinate with the Area Curator and veterinarians.

A strong emphasis on safety, training, and guest experiences is essential. Requirements include a life sciences degree and 3 years in a zoological setting, plus a valid driver’s

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in life sciences or a related field is required.
• Three years of experience in a zoological setting is required.
• Valid driver’s license is required.
• Experience with water systems, filtration, large carnivores, great apes, or operant conditioning is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct daily rounds to ensure tasks are performed and animal welfare is upheld.
• Oversee staff under the Area Curator and ensure goals are implemented.
• Monitor animal health and coordinate with veterinarians.
• Prepare reports and manage budget for animal functions.
• Engage guests with Keeper Chats, tours, and educational programs.
• Supervise and train animal staff; schedule and timecard approvals.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Time management

Microsoft Office

Training & supervision

Confidentiality

Flexibility

Education

Bachelor’s degree in life sciences or related field

Job description

Applications are being accepted for a full-time Animal Care Supervisor to join the Fort Wayne Zoo team.

This position is responsible for daily supervision in the Aquatics section of the Zoo.

This is a full-time position requiring availability for a 40-hour work week year-round. Full-time benefits include Health Insurance, Life Insurance, Long-Term Disability Insurance, 403b Plan, 403b Matching, Employee Assistance Program, Paid Days Off, Paid Holidays, Paid Health & Wellness Days, and Paid Parental Leave as well as optional Dental, Vision, Life, and Pet Insurance Programs. All team members receive Team Member Perks such as a free Staff Membership, concessions and retail discounts, development opportunities, and appreciation programs.

Application Deadline: October 27, 2026

The Animal Care Supervisor is a working leadership position that provides direct supervision of employees and coordination of daily operations in a specified animal area and assists with other Zoo operations as required. Expected time spent in the field versus administrative duties is 70/30. This position also strives to embody the Zoo’s values at all times, contributes to positive guest experiences, and performs other duties as required.

Essential Functions And Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Functions

• Conducts daily rounds within a specified area of responsibility to ensure essential daily and weekly tasks are being performed and to ensure that a high standard of animal welfare is being implemented.
• Assists the Area Curator by ensuring that goals and objectives established by the Area Curator are being implemented by the staff.
• Oversees animal health monitoring in the designated area of responsibility, evaluates observations, and seeks assistance as needed.
• Prepares written reports and records as necessary.
• Manages the maintenance and operations of the physical facilities related to animal exhibits and animal holding facilities, coordinates repairs and maintenance with the maintenance department.
• Tracks the budget and expenses for the animal functions for a specified area of the Zoo.
• Performs and/or supervises veterinary treatments as directed by Area Curator and Zoo veterinarians.
• Performs Animal Care Specialist duties as required.
• Conducts and documents regular animal welfare assessments.
• Engages with guests both informally and through formal presentations (e.g., Keeper Chats, Wild Encounters, VIP tours, etc.).
• Operates vehicles to transport supplies, equipment, and animals within the zoo and between other facilities.
• Assists in the maintenance, operations, and education functions of the zoo as necessary.
• Supports the Zoo’s commitment to continued growth of diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and belonging for team members, volunteers, guests, and supporters. Embraces these fundamentals in leadership practices.
• Assists with special projects and helps other team members as needed.
• Actively contributes to positive guest experiences.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Supervises, coaches, and trains animal staff assigned to specific work areas; ensures that animal staff are performing duties according to zoo procedures and policies and in compliance with applicable regulations.
• Develops and directs daily and weekly work assignments/projects.
• Determines weekly staffing schedules; approves timecards; approves requests for paid days off; adjusts schedules to accommodate changing staffing needs.
• In partnership with People Services, assists in determining staffing needs; interviews, hires, and orients department team members; prepares and administers regular evaluations; conducts coaching, disciplinary, and termination conferences.
• Provides support and supervision to team members.

Education And Experience

To perform this job successfully, an individual must have the following education and/or experience.

• Bachelor’s degree in life sciences or a related field is required.
• Three years of experience in a zoological setting is required.
• Valid driver’s license is required.
• Depending upon assigned area of management, demonstrated ability in water systems, filtration systems, large carnivores, great apes, operant conditioning, or other experiences related to specific situations in the assigned area is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Knowledge of advanced animal care and handling, operant conditioning, and behavioral enrichment.
• Knowledge of the natural history for the species under direct care.
• Knowledge of animal welfare concepts and ability to apply that knowledge to assess the welfare of individuals or groups of animals.
• Ability to endure high-stress situations when feeding, transferring, or restraining animals.
• Ability to identify native trees and shrubs when providing browse to animals.
• Ability to adapt to a rapidly changing, dynamic work environment.
• Ability to professionally and effectively communicate with others through written correspondence.
• Ability to troubleshoot, analyze situations, and make sound business decisions.
• Ability to make independent decisions and manage time effectively.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office software.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Knowledge of general office procedures and practices.
• Knowledge of correct grammar and sentence structure.
• Ability to effectively and proactively train and supervise team members.
• Ability to make independent decisions and delegate responsibility and duties.
• Knowledge of management practices to effectively direct and lead team members.
• Ability to build a positive and respectful culture of teamwork, collaboration, and accountability.
• Ability to work a highly flexible schedule as required to successfully perform the requirements and functions of the position, including required weekend, evening, holiday, and irregular hours.
• Ability to handle confidential information.
• Ability to understand and follow all safety regulations.
• Ability to track and manage multiple tasks and priorities.
• Ability to arrive at work when scheduled and maintain a positive attendance record.
• Ability to serve as a goodwill ambassador, in every respect and at all times, for the Fort Wayne Zoological Society and the Fort Wayne Zoo in contacts with guests, partners, and the community.
• Ability to deal tactfully and politely with guest questions and misbehavior.
• Excellent communication skills to establish and maintain effective working relationships with team members, volunteers, partners, and the community.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to operate office equipment, including computers, copiers, fax machines, and phones.
• Ability to professionally and appropriately interact and communicate with others, both in person and through phone, email, and written correspondence.
• Ability to regularly travel assigned areas several times per day and efficiently enter all assigned areas.
• Ability to negotiate a confined workspace while working with one or more coworkers.
• Ability to handle and restrain a variety of small animals in a program setting.
• Ability to properly lift and carry items up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to stand and sit for periods of time and to move intermittently throughout the workday.
• Ability to perform focused work with close attention to detail.
• Ability to work both indoors and outdoors, with exposure to extreme temperatures and inclement weather conditions; the environment may include wet, icy, or muddy conditions.
• This position may include exposure to hazardous materials, fumes/odors, dirt, and dust; potentially dangerous or venomous animals; zoonotic diseases; noxious native plants; and native biting insects and arthropods.

This description is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this position. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements.