Zoological Manager - Savannah Mammals

Sedgwick County; Wichita (KS); On-site; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Sedgwick County's zoo seeks an experienced supervisor for the zookeeper team, overseeing care of mammals in assigned zoo areas, and covering shifts as needed.

You will train staff, develop SOPs, coordinate animal transfers, ensure animal well-being, habitats safety, nutrition, and adherence to AZA standards. Occasional overnight travel and on-call rotations may apply.

Qualifications

• Six years of animal care experience with mammals.
• Up to four years of education can substitute for experience in biology, zoology, environmental resources, wildlife management, or related fields.
• Three years of animal care experience with large carnivores or hoof stock at an AZA facility is preferred.
• Master’s degree in Biology, Zoology, Environmental Resources, Wildlife Management, or related field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Plan, schedule, and assign work duties within zoological area.
• Train and mentor zookeepers, recognize performance deficiencies, and take corrective action.
• Produce SOPs and other documents for areas of responsibility, including employees, facilities, and animals.
• Supervise and monitor animal introductions and animal restraint.
• Assist curator and registrar in planning animal transfer activities.
• Ensure animals are housed and cared for according to zoo goals.
• Handle animals for husbandry, medical purposes, and transport preparation.
• Maintain understanding of AZA Accreditation Standards and communicate observations to veterinary staff.
• Record observations of behavior, health conditions, and enrichment activities.
• Drive zoo vehicles for animal care and transfer, with occasional overnight travel.

Skills

Animal care

Customer service

Team leadership

Education

Biology (Master's degree)

Zoology (Master's degree)

Job description

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Sedgwick County offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees that includes health coverages, paid leave, regular compensation reviews, retirement plans, and professional development opportunities. For more detailed information, please visit our benefits page at SCBenefits .

Supervises, trains, and monitors zookeepers in the care and management of mammals within the assigned Zoo areas. This position requires occasional participation in the care of mammals when covering zookeeper shifts. Ideally this will be no more than 16 hours per week but may on occasion be more. Inspects facilities for security, safety and for repair and maintenance. Interacts and provides customer service to all Zoo-defined customers. This position participates in a mandatory on-call rotation.

Supervision of Zookeepers

• Plan, schedule, and assign work duties within zoological area.
• Train and mentor zookeepers, recognize performance deficiencies, and take corrective action when needed.
• Produce SOPs and other documents for the areas of responsibility, including employees, facilities, and animals within the area.
• Supervise and monitor animal introductions and animal restraint.
• Participate and assist curator and registrar in planning animal transfer activities.

Animal Well-being , Care and Management

• Ensure animals are housed and cared for in ways that meet all Zoo-defined goals.
• Handle animals for husbandry needs, medical purposes, and in preparation for transport.
• Maintain a current understanding of animal natural history and terminology. Interpret animal behavior, and recognize abnormalities and potential medical conditions. Under the direction of veterinarians and/or curators, administer medications or treatments as needed.
• Maintain a comprehensive understanding of AZA Accreditation Standards, as pertains to all job duties.
• Communicate observations of animal behavior and health condition to veterinary department and/or curators, administer medications or treatments, as needed.
• Ensure regular and timely recording of animal behavior observations, training and enrichment activities, and animal health conditions.
• Monitor and participate in the preparation of animal diets. Communicate nutritional needs and concerns to curator and veterinary staff.
• Drive Zoological Society-owned vehicles, as needed, to care for or transfer animals to other zoological facilities. Animal transfer trips may occasionally require overnight travel.
• Safely works with and around delicate, wild, and potentially dangerous animals. Complete required training and safely operates all zoo-required equipment for completion of job duties.

Area Maintenance

• Ensure service areas, animal habitats, and public viewing areas meet safety requirements and are properly maintained.
• Ensure all areas are clean, organized, and free of clutter. Ensure public areas are clean, presentable, and aesthetically pleasing.
• Monitor and ensure usability and availability of tools used regularly by team: wheel barrows, rakes, shovels, hoses, scrub brooms, tubs and a variety of other tools used in the care of animals.
• Regularly inspect animal habitats and associated facilities for security and safety.
• Complete or conduct minor repairs to facilities as needed.
• Identify and communicate any pest control problems to the veterinary department and curator.

Minimum Qualifications:

Six years of animal care experience working with mammals. Up to four years of experience may be substituted with education in Biology, Zoology, Environmental Resources, Wildlife Management, or a related field that provides applicable knowledge and skills.

Preferred Qualifications: Three years of animal care experience working with large carnivores or hoof stock at an AZA Facility. Master’s Degree in Biology, Zoology, Environmental Resources, Wildlife Management, or a related field.