General Curator - Animal Care

Connecticut Zoological Society; Bridgeport (CT); On-site; USD 65,000 - 79,000; Full time

Job summary

Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is seeking an experienced General Curator to lead daily animal care operations and drive exceptional welfare. You will supervise Senior Keepers, Keepers, and seasonal staff, coordinate priorities, and ensure compliance with AZA standards, USDA requirements, and safety protocols.

The role emphasizes staff development, collaboration with veterinary and facilities teams, and a commitment to conservation and leadership excellence.

Qualifications

• Seven years of progressive professional animal care experience in a zoo, aquarium, wildlife, conservation setting.
• Three+ years in supervisory or lead roles overseeing animal care staff.
• Expertise in husbandry, enrichment, behavioral management, welfare assessment, staff training, and records.
• Strong knowledge of AZA standards, USDA requirements, and animal care safety practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily animal care operations, including feeding, habitat cleanliness, observation, enrichment, training, and behavioral support.
• Oversee husbandry practices to align with AZA standards and USDA requirements.
• Identify and address animal health, behavior, nutrition, welfare, and habitat concerns.
• Develop and evaluate husbandry procedures, enrichment plans, training, and welfare assessments.
• Directly supervise Senior Keepers, Keepers, and seasonal or intern staff; coordinate workloads with leadership.
• Coach staff as area leads and provide training for species-specific skills.
• Collaborate with HR on performance management, recognition, and corrective action.
• Foster a culture of communication, professionalism, accountability, and safety.

Skills

Staff supervision

Animal care

Leadership

Communication

Documentation

Problem-solving

Training

Animal records

Safety practices

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Zoology/ Biology/ Animal Science/ Wildlife Management/ Conservation

Advanced degree or additional training in animal welfare or zoo management

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

General Curator - Animal Care

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

Salary: $72,000.00 Annually

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.