Curator of Welfare, Enrichment, and Training

Ultipro; Chattanooga (TN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The Tennessee Aquarium seeks a Curator of Welfare, Enrichment, and Training to supervise training, enrichment, and animal welfare across all departments in Chattanooga. You will review and improve programs, set long-term plans, and help shape industry standards while coordinating with education, research, and husbandry staff.

Responsibilities include leading committees, maintaining records in ZIMS and related systems, and ensuring staff development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in animal behavior, biology, or zoology preferred; related fields acceptable.
• Minimum three years’ experience overseeing and/or managing training and enrichment at an animal institution.
• Minimum two years’ experience overseeing animal wellbeing; minimum three years’ supervisory experience.

Responsibilities

• Oversee welfare reviews, protocols, and standards with veterinary team.
• Lead training, enrichment, and welfare programs across departments.
• Ensure accurate record keeping; manage AZA-related activities and committees.
• Maintain training records in ZIMS and other systems; participate in staff development.

Skills

Management of training

Animal welfare

Training supervision

Communication

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in animal behavior, biology, or zoology

Job description

Curator of Welfare, Enrichment, and Training

Requisition Number: CURAT001149

• Posted : October 6, 2026
• Full-Time
• On-site

Locations

Showing 1 location

Tennessee Aquarium
Chattanooga, TN 37402, USA

Description

The Curator of Welfare, Training, and Enrichment supervises training, enrichment, and animal welfare programs for all animal departments of the Tennessee Aquarium, including Forestry, Aquarists, Education and Research. They also review and evaluate all existing training, enrichment, and animal welfare programs including materials and record keeping, develop long-term plans for continual improvement in training, enrichment, and welfare, and help set industry standards. The Curator also maintains familiarity with routines throughout the Husbandry department.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Welfare:
   • Reviews all animal welfare forms, protocols, and standards, including the "Animal Welfare Concerns Chain of Resolution".
   • Works closely with the veterinary team to monitor and administer treatment for animal health issues.
   • Interacts daily with animal staff to ensure the wellbeing of the living collection is properly managed.
   • Works closely with the education department to ensure animal wellbeing is being maintained when animals are checked in and out for use in internal and external programs by properly trained staff.
   • Ensures continuous training for all animal staff to promote animal wellbeing.
   • Ensures all quarterly animal welfare assessments are submitted to the registrar on time.
   • Serves as chair of the Tennessee Aquarium Animal Welfare Committee.
   • Keeps current with and participates in AZA Animal Welfare committees, trends, and ideas.
2. Training:
   • Reviews and evaluates all existing training materials, record keeping, ongoing and proposed training, and the overall training program.
   • Oversees and assists with all ongoing and proposed training across all departments.
   • Conducts regular training committee meetings and workshops for all appropriate staff.
   • Ensures all Aquarium sections record training in ZIMS, the Forest Staff Drive, and other applicable systems.
   • Reviews and implements training protocols for new staff involved in training.
   • Keeps current with and participates in AZA training committees, trends, and ideas.
3. Enrichment:
   • Reviews and evaluates all existing enrichment materials, record keeping, ongoing and proposed enrichment activities, and the overall enrichment program.
   • Forms an enrichment committee or combines it with the training committee.
   • Ensures the husbandry department records enrichment in ZIMS, the Forest Staff Drive, and other applicable systems.
   • Ensures all approved enrichment items are recorded and organized.
   • Ensures sure the enrichment room is stocked, clean, and functional as an enrichment building area.
   • Keeps current with AZA enrichment committees, trends, and ideas.
4. General :
   • Ensures compliance with evolving AZA standards for training, enrichment, and Animal Welfare and assists with preparation for AZA accreditation.
   • Maintains proficiency in record keeping and professional correspondence and attends relevant meetings and conferences.
   • Maintains appropriate records and oversees submission of training, enrichment and animal welfare records.
   • Maintains correspondence with other professionals in the field. Keeps current with literature related to area of responsibility. Attends husbandry staff meetings in all sections.
5. Participates in public interactions including conducting programs, working with the media, leading tours, and training and supervising interns. Answers questions from visitors and callers.
6. Performs work in a manner that supports the Aquarium’s mission and reflects its core values and service standards.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• All skills necessary to qualify as a manager of training, enrichment and animal welfare.
• Demonstrated initiative and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to manage projects, prioritize work, and delegate assignments.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.

Educational/Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in animal behavior, biology, or zoology preferred. A bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent experience is acceptable.
• A minimum of three years’ experience overseeing and/or managing training and enrichment at an animal institution.
• A minimum of two years of experience overseeing animal wellbeing at an animal institution.
• A minimum of three years’ supervisory experience overseeing people.

Supervises

• Coaches, mentors, and trains all husbandry staff in training, enrichment, and animal welfare.

Working Conditions

• Typical office environment.
• Frequent exposure to wet and slippery surroundings.
• Frequent exposure to hot or cold conditions.
• Exposure to odors.
• Exposure to potentially dangerous animals (e.g., crocodilians).

Physical Demands

The physical demands described below are representative of those that may be encountered while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Move and transport equipment weighing up to 50 pounds as part of regular job duties.
• Ascend and descend ladders and stairs as needed.
• Work in confined or restricted spaces that may require crouching, kneeling, or crawling.

Full-time, salaried ($65,000-70,000/year, commensurate with education and experience); Typically Monday-Friday. Holidays and weekends required as necessary.

All submissions must be received by October 27, 2026, at 5:00 PM EST.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.