Lead Animal Ambassador Keeper

Virginia-Zoological-Society-; Norfolk (VA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

The Virginia Zoo in Norfolk, VA seeks a Lead Keeper of Animal Ambassadors to provide daily leadership and advanced animal husbandry for the Ambassador Collection. You will support training and wellbeing programs and oversee day-to-day workflow for the Animal Ambassador Team under the Animal Ambassador Curator.

Your role involves ensuring exemplary care, coordinating with veterinary and education staff, and guiding staff and interns to uphold high standards of animal welfare and guest experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Associate degree in biology or related field.
• At least 5 years of progressive experience with zoological animals.
• Experience in animal training using positive reinforcement.
• Knowledge of zoology and informal education.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to prioritize tasks effectively.
• Ability to work with individuals and groups of all ages.

Responsibilities

• Ensures exemplary daily care, husbandry, enrichment, and wellbeing of all ambassador species in accordance with institutional policies, AZA standards, USDA regulations and species-specific best practices.
• Works with Curator, veterinary staff, animal keeper staff, animal husbandry volunteers, interns and the conservation engagement team to ensure the highest standards of animal care.
• Assists in medical procedures, routine health checks, quarantine protocols as directed and participates in vet rounds when applicable.
• Performs administrative duties by keeping records on animal behavior and exhibit repairs, maintaining inventory, filling out paperwork and surveys, serving as the Institutional Representative for various SSP’s, conducting research when requested, preparing reports and presenting findings, and attending meetings.
• Pursues opportunities to participate in workshops, seminars, activities and conferences aimed at continually improving job knowledge and professional development with the goal of benefitting the Animal Ambassador Team.
• Assists the Curator with evaluations and performance reviews for Animal Ambassador Specialists, guest engagement staff, interns and volunteers.
• Assists with departmental hiring including recruitment and training of staff and interns.
• Assists with scheduling, workflow planning, and task delegation.
• Initiates diet change requests, new enrichment proposals, husbandry change proposals and work order requests.
• Organizes daily and weekly operations of the team's projects and goals, including creating and maintenance of their areas’ standard operating procedures.
• Maintains excellent written and verbal communication with co-workers, managers, and veterinary staff.
• Responsible for accurate observation, evaluation and documentation of animal behaviors and the oversight of daily animal training.
• Evaluates all activities with regards to husbandry, medical, enrichment, handling and public presentations.
• Schedules daily husbandry assignments for both staff and volunteers.
• Assists with managing departmental supplies and major projects.
• Serves as point of contact in Curator’s absence and oversees maintenance/contractor work in their completion using designated procedures.
• Assists in developing and maintaining animal handling policies for non-animal care staff and oversees handling training for staff and volunteers.
• Ensures all programs adhere to safety and institutional and animal wellbeing standards.
• Assist with collection planning, species evaluations and ambassador program expansion or modification.
• Actively participates in improving area policies, procedures, and protocols to ensure high standards of care for the collection and the safety of staff and guests.
• Demonstrates initiative towards continually improving advanced keeper duties including excellent animal care and guest interactions.
• Demonstrates the ability to meet challenges with a solution-oriented approach and encourage staff to do the same.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Organizational skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Prioritization

Interpersonal skills

Guest engagement

Education

Bachelor’s or Associate degree in biology or related field

Bachelor’s or Associate degree in zookeeping or wildlife program

Job description

The Virginia Zoo in Norfolk, VA seeks a Lead Keeper of Animal Ambassadors to provide daily leadership and advanced animal husbandry for the Ambassador Collection. You will support training and wellbeing programs and oversee day-to-day workflow for the Animal Ambassador Team under the Animal Ambassador Curator.

Your role involves ensuring exemplary care, coordinating with veterinary and education staff, and guiding staff and interns to uphold high standards of animal welfare and guest experience.