LEAD ZOO SPECIALIST

Oshkosh Fire Department; Oshkosh (WI); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Menominee Park Zoo seeks a Lead Zoo Specialist to provide advanced animal husbandry, daily leadership, and oversight. You will supervise staff, support exhibit construction, and assist with facility and grounds maintenance while promoting welfare and regulatory compliance.

Under the Park Services and Events Manager, you will contribute to education and conservation programs and have opportunities for independent judgment in a dynamic zoo setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, zoology, wildlife management, environmental science, or related field.
• Three to five years of professional animal husbandry experience with North American species.
• Demonstrated leadership or supervisory experience.
• Valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Zoo Staff Leadership: provide day-to-day leadership to staff, interns, and volunteers and support scheduling and budgeting.
• Animal Care and Welfare: maintain records, perform routine husbandry, monitor health and behavior, and ensure welfare standards.
• Visitor Engagement and Programming: engage visitors, lead conservation and education programs, and train staff and volunteers.
• Facility and Grounds Maintenance: assist with exhibit design, habitat maintenance, and general upkeep.
• Other Duties: perform additional tasks as assigned.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Physical stamina

Education

Bachelor's degree in biology, zoology, wildlife management, environmental science, or related field

Tools

Animal handling equipment

Facility maintenance tools

Carpentry basics

Job description

The Lead Zoo Specialist provides advanced animal husbandry, daily leadership, and operational oversight within the Menominee Park Zoo. Responsibilities include ensuring high standards of animal welfare, leading the work of other animal care staff, supporting exhibit construction, and assisting with facility and grounds maintenance. The position also leads education and conservation program development and ensures compliance with applicable regulations.

The position works under the general direction of the Park Services and Events Manager and offers opportunity for independent judgment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Zoo Staff Leadership:Provides day-to-day leadership to Zoo Specialists, seasonal staff, interns, and volunteers, including assisting management with scheduling, workflow coordination, training, performance feedback, budgeting support, procurement, and inventory management.
• Animal Care and Welfare:Maintains accurate records related to animal care, health, enrichment, and regulatory compliance. Performs routine husbandry for captive wild and domesticated animals; develops and prepares diets; feeds animals according to established schedules; monitors animal health, behavior, and breeding activity; performs basic medical tasks; coordinates with veterinarians; and recommends improvements to animal care and work processes.Oversees and participates in the care of North American native and exotic species, including feeding, cleaning, enrichment, behavioral monitoring, and enclosure maintenance. Ensures compliance with animal welfare standards, safety procedures, USDA/DNR regulations, and City policies. Assists with veterinary care, animal restraint and transfer, exhibit inspections, and staff training in animal control equipment.
• Visitor Engagement and Programming:Engages with visitors and represents the Zoo at community events. Leads the development of, supports, and delivers conservation and educational programs; educates visitors on animals, conservation, and zoo policies; supervises public use of the zoo; collects attendance and survey data; and assists in training seasonal staff, volunteers, and interns.
• Facility and Grounds Maintenance:Participates in facility and grounds maintenance, including landscaping, cleaning, snow removal, mowing, trimming, painting, minor construction, exhibit repairs, habitat enhancements, and general upkeep of animal and public areas. Assists with exhibit design, graphics, natural landscaping, and development of zoo operational procedures.
• Other Duties:Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, zoology, wildlife management, environmental science, or related field.
• Three to five years of professional animal husbandry experience, preferably with North American species.Experience with exhibit construction, basic carpentry, facility repairs, or grounds maintenance preferred.
• Demonstrated leadership or supervisory experience.
• Valid driver’s license.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the care, behavior, handling, and husbandry needs of wild and domestic animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles, and other species.
• Knowledge of animal welfare, enrichment, habitat management, preventive health, basic veterinary practices, and species-specific diets.
• Knowledge of animal capture, restraint, and control techniques; experience with related equipment, including tranquilization equipment, preferred.
• Knowledge of zoo safety practices, animal care records and reporting systems, and applicable state and federal regulations; familiarity with USDA, DNR, or AZA standards preferred.
• Knowledge of biological, zoological, wildlife management, conservation, and interpretation principles.
• Knowledge of building, enclosure, grounds, and horticultural maintenance practices.
• Ability to develop and present educational programs and interact courteously and effectively with visitors, staff, volunteers, and interns.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, teamwork, and basic supervisory skills.
• Ability to troubleshoot operational issues and perform physically demanding work in varying weather conditions.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Equipment and tools common to zoo operations, including animal handling and restraint equipment, veterinary and feeding tools, and cleaning and disinfecting equipment.

Equipment, tools, supplies and materials commonly used for operations, facility, grounds and exhibit maintenance including general custodial supplies, cleaning agents, two-way radio, hand and power tools, grounds maintenance equipment, utility vehicle, commercial mower, trimmer, chain saw, snow thrower, blower, pressure washer, small dump truck, pickup truck, skid steer and compact loader.

Standard office equipment such as computer, tablet, cell phone, and computer software such as various Microsoft 365 products and software related to collection inventory.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

This position requires the ability to perform physical tasks including lifting and moving up to 50 pounds, plus having ability to provide occasional strenuous exertion in restraining animals. Employee is often required to stand for prolonged periods, bend, twist, climb, and work in outdoor environments across all weather conditions. Employee regularly exerts strenuous effort in restraining and handling animals, operates tools and equipment, and navigates uneven terrain.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

While performing the duties of this position, the employee frequently works around dangerous animals in a variety of outdoor conditions typical of Wisconsin. The employee is exposed to wet, cold and/or hot and humid conditions. Outdoor work in all weather conditions; exposure to animals, allergens, tools, and equipment.

SELECTION GUIDELINES

Formal application, rating of education and experience, oral interview, background and reference checks, and job-related tests work may be required.

The duties listed herein are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

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