Animal Care Team Lead - Waters Edge Team (Full Time)

Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium is seeking an Animal Care Team Lead for Water's Edge. This role oversees daily husbandry for polar bears, sea lions, otters, river otters, penguins, and trumpeter swans, and works with the Animal Care Manager to ensure high standards of animal welfare.

The position involves supervising staff, creating SOPs, coordinating training, delivering diets, assisting with medical procedures, and maintaining records while engaging with the public and supporting enrichment

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, animal science, zoology or related field strongly desired.
• At least 5 years of related zoo or animal husbandry experience.
• Previous supervisory experience preferred.
• Knowledge of animal husbandry, behavior and training procedures.
• Strong observational, verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Assist Animal Care Manager with daily operations of the Water’s Edge area.
• Oversee daily husbandry of polar bears, sea lions, otters, penguins and trumpeter swans.
• Provide diets, medications and health procedures.
• Train staff and interns; develop and maintain SOPs.
• Ensure compliance with AZA and USDA guidelines; participate in programs as eligible.

Skills

Observational skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Microsoft Office

Team supervision

Education

Bachelor’s degree in biology/animal science/zoology

GED accepted with experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

ANIMAL CARE TEAM LEAD - WATER'S EDGE (FULL TIME)

DEPARTMENT

Animal Care

CLASSIFICATION

Non-Exempt

REPORTS TO

Animal Care Manager

DIRECT REPORTS

N/A

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Animal Care Team Lead is responsible for assisting the Animal Care Manager with the overall management of their assigned area. This position performs routine work assignments involving the daily care and wellbeing of animals within their area. The Animal Care Team Lead also performs daily maintenance of habitats and holding areas and interacts with the public to provide information related to the Zoo & Aquarium’s animal collection. Lastly, this position assists with the day-to-day management of the team, including personnel management, creating, and maintaining area standard operating procedures, and overseeing their assigned area in the absence of the team’s Animal Care Manager.

This position will work with the Water’s Edge Team, which is responsible for the daily husbandry of polar bears, California sea lions, southern sea otters, North American river otters, five species of penguins (King, Gentoo, Chinstrap, Macaroni, Humboldt), and trumpeter swans.

Prior experience in marine mammal and pinniped husbandry, as well as operant conditioning, preferred.

POSITION DUTIES & ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Duties

Percentage

50%

• Preparing diets and delivering animal feedings.
• Giving medications and assisting with various animal health procedures.
• Observing, logging, and reporting issues concerning animal behavior, health, and wellbeing.
• Training animals for all types of behaviors, including husbandry, enrichment and medical.
• Initiating and carrying out new training proposals and behaviors.
• Creating and implementing various enrichment items/strategies.

15%

• Cleaning habitats, holding stalls and staff areas.
• Performing minor repairs and improvements.
• Reporting maintenance issues and potential safety hazards to appropriate manager.
• Training new animal care staff, interns, and volunteers on daily maintenance activities.
• Performing lawn and other horticultural maintenance within the habitats.

15%

• Assisting with all aspects of personnel management, including interviewing, scheduling, coaching, evaluating, and training of new animal care staff, interns, and volunteers.
• Training staff on new animal behaviors.
• Assisting with the creation of area standard operating procedures and various animal management plans, ensuring compliance with AZA and USDA guidelines.
• Overseeing area in absence of Animal Care Manager, with support of area curator.
• Eligible to participate in or serve as a representative for various AZA programs, after meeting AZA requirements.
• Eligible to apply for various SSP coordinator/studbook keeper positions.

10%

Maintains Daily Reports And Other Required Records.

5%

• Performing various animal chats and animal presentations, as well as assisting with special events related to assigned area.
• Leading tours within area, as assigned.
• Representing the Zoo & Aquarium via media relations, upon completion of training with marketing staff.
• Engaging with daily visitors to answer questions about the Zoo and animals.

5%

• Participating in inter-institutional training and communication regarding incoming or outgoing animals.

• This position may at times be requested to perform other duties or special projects as assigned, which are in the best interest of the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium. Additionally, specific duties and percentages may vary slightly between each Animal Care Team.
• All employees must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily and, upon request, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• EDUCATION & FORMAL TRAINING:
  • Bachelor’s degree in biology, animal science, zoology or related field strongly desired.
  • High school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) certificate accepted with prior experience in similar position.
• EXPERIENCE:
  • At least 5 years of related Zoo or animal husbandry experience required.
  • Previous supervisory experience preferred.
  • Knowledge of animal husbandry, behavior and procedures for proper care and training of zoo and aquarium animals.
  • Strong observational skills to recognize and evaluate conditions of animal health, diets, and behavior.
  • Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office, required.
  • Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions, including procedures for care and maintenance of animals, habitats, service and holding areas.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills.

OTHER MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Must have or be willing to obtain a SCUBA certification within six months of hire.
• Open Water SCUBA certification from an internationally recognized certifying agency is preferred.
• Must pass AAUS-compliant dive physical and swim test within six months of hire
• Must have knowledge of animal husbandry, behavior, and procedures for proper care and training of zoo and aquarium animals, with specific emphasis on pinniped and other marine mammal husbandry and operant conditioning.
• Dive tasks require manual dexterity and ability to safely use tools (e.g. brushes) and operate equipment (e.g. operation/manipulation of dive gear).
• Must be willing to dive in cold temperatures and in the presence of animals (sharks, penguins, venomous fish).
• Must have a valid driver’s license.
• Must have or be able to obtain a negative TB test.
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds and have sufficient mobility to ensure a safe work environment.
• Must be able to stand for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to manage stress, endure high-risk situations when feeding, transferring, or restraining animals, and make immediate decisions concerning the safety of animals, staff, or the public.
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule, including weekends, holidays and evening hours, in all weather extremes.
• Must pass a background and drug screening.