General Curator - Animal Care

Beardsley Zoo; Bridgeport (CT); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport, CT seeks a General Curator to lead daily animal care, welfare programs, and a team of Senior Keepers and Keepers. You will oversee husbandry, enrichment, health coordination, and collection support, while promoting conservation and a culture of safety.

Reporting to the Director of Animal Care & Facilities, you will supervise staff, develop training, and partner with veterinary and facilities teams to ensure excellence in animal welfare and regulatory compliance

Qualifications

• At least seven years of progressive professional animal care experience.
• At least three years of supervisory or lead experience overseeing animal care staff.
• Demonstrated expertise in husbandry, enrichment, behavioral management, welfare assessment, staff training, animal records, and regulatory compliance.
• Strong knowledge of AZA standards, USDA requirements, and animal care safety practices.
• Effective leadership, coaching, communication, documentation, organization, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to obtain and maintain required job‑related certifications, permits, and training.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily animal care and welfare, ensuring alignment with AZA standards and USDA requirements.
• Directly supervise Senior Keepers, Keepers, and seasonal staff; coordinate daily priorities and staffing.
• Coordinate with veterinary staff on preventive care, treatments, and health monitoring.
• Maintain accurate animal records, behavioral observations, breeding notes, and related documentation.
• Support safety, emergency planning, and operational improvements across the zoo.

Job description

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General Curator - Animal Care

Zoo Operations Seasonal - City Full Time City EE Bridgeport, CT, US

General Curator

Department: Animal Care & Conservation
Reports to: Director of Animal Care & Facilities
FLSA Status: Exempt

About the Opportunity

Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo is seeking an experienced animal care leader to serve as General Curator. This position leads daily animal care operations, supports exceptional animal welfare, and develops a collaborative, accountable team of Senior Keepers and Keepers.

Reporting to the Director of Animal Care & Facilities, the General Curator oversees husbandry, enrichment, behavioral management, animal health coordination, and collection support. The ideal candidate combines strong animal care expertise with sound judgment, effective communication, and a commitment to conservation, staff development, and safety.

What You’ll Do

Lead Animal Care and Welfare

Oversee daily animal care, including feeding, habitat cleanliness, observation, enrichment, training, and behavioral support.

Ensure husbandry practices align with Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) standards, USDA requirements, institutional protocols, and accepted professional practices.

Identify, document, and address animal health, behavior, nutrition, welfare, and habitat concerns.

Develop and evaluate husbandry procedures, enrichment plans, positive reinforcement training, and welfare assessment programs.

Supervise and Develop Staff

Directly supervise Senior Keepers, Keepers, and seasonal, temporary, intern, or volunteer animal care support staff as assigned.

Coordinate daily priorities, assignments, staffing coverage, and workloads in partnership with the Director of Animal Care & Facilities.

Coach Senior Keepers in their responsibilities as area leads and technical resources.

Identify training needs and support species-specific skill development, cross-training, and professional growth.

Partner with departmental leadership and Human Resources on performance management, recognition, and corrective action.

Foster a respectful team culture grounded in communication, professionalism, accountability, and safety.

Support Animal Health and Collection Management

Work closely with veterinary staff to coordinate preventive care, treatments, quarantine, examinations, and health monitoring.

Ensure prescribed treatments, medications, observations, and follow‑up instructions are completed and documented by appropriate staff.

Support collection planning, animal transfers, introductions, breeding recommendations, and Species Survival Plan (SSP) activities.

Assist with animal restraint, transport, and medical procedures within established training and safety protocols.

Maintain accurate animal records, behavioral observations, breeding notes, and related documentation.

Promote Safe, Consistent Operations

Reinforce safe animal handling, containment procedures, personal protective equipment requirements, and emergency protocols.

Participate in emergency planning and drills, and follow up on incidents, injuries, near misses, and safety concerns.

Monitor habitats, holding areas, barriers, gates, equipment, and keeper workspaces for animal welfare and safety needs.

Coordinate animal area repairs and improvements with the Director of Animal Care & Facilities and facilities staff.

Support accreditation preparation, inspections, regulatory documentation, and corrective action follow‑up.

What You’ll Bring

Required Qualifications

At least seven years of progressive professional animal care experience in a zoo, aquarium, wildlife, conservation, or related setting, with experience consistent with the position's 7-10-year guideline.

At least three years of supervisory or lead experience overseeing animal care staff, with experience consistent with the position's 3-5-year guideline.

Demonstrated expertise in husbandry, enrichment, behavioral management, welfare assessment, staff training, animal records, and regulatory compliance.

Strong knowledge of AZA standards, USDA requirements, and animal care safety practices.

Effective leadership, coaching, communication, documentation, organization, and problem‑solving skills.

Ability to prioritize competing needs and collaborate with veterinary, facilities, commissary, education, operations, and leadership teams.

Ability to obtain and maintain required job‑related certifications, permits, and training.

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Zoology, Biology, Animal Science, Wildlife Management, Conservation, or a related field. Significant progressive professional experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.

Advanced degree or additional training in animal welfare, conservation, zoo management, or leadership.

Experience working in an AZA-accredited institution and supervising Senior Keepers or comparable teams.

Experience supporting SSPs, Taxon Advisory Groups (TAGs), animal transfers, introductions, breeding programs, or collection planning.

Participation in professional committees, AZA programs, or animal care networks.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

This position works throughout zoo grounds and animal areas, with exposure to animals, changing weather, uneven terrain, noise, odors, hay, dust, and cleaning agents. Responsibilities may require lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, bending, climbing, kneeling, and wearing required protective equipment.

Availability to respond to animal care, staffing, safety, or emergency issues outside regular business hours is required when necessary. A valid driver's license may be required.

Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo is an equal opportunity employer committed to a workplace free from discrimination and harassment. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, business needs, and organizational requirements.