Zoological Manager, Small Mammal Ectotherms

Disney Experiences; Lake Buena Vista (FL); On-site; USD 77,000 - 103,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Educational opportunities

Disney perks and rewards

Job summary

Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Florida seeks an experienced Zoological Manager for the Small Mammal Ectotherm Team. You will oversee day-to-day management of the SME collection and staff, including animal husbandry, staff development, and facilities management, with a focus on ongoing guest experiences.

You will lead a team of zoological managers and report to the Animal Operations Manager. This full-time role requires weekend/holiday availability and a strong track record in AZA standards.

Qualifications

• Nine years of combined animal management experience (on the job or post-high school).
• Five years of paid experience at an AZA accredited or equivalent facility.
• Demonstrated leadership ability.
• Ability to interact positively within a team environment.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the team to deliver uncompromising excellence in animal care and welfare.
• Direct supervision and management of a large animal keeper staff, including selection, development and performance reviews.
• Co-manage all aspects of husbandry for the Small Mammal Ectotherm team.
• Promote and enforce safety protocols, guidelines, policies, and standards.
• Be primary contact for animal health, nutrition, horticulture, operations, education and facilities.
• Interact with other zoological facilities and conservation organizations on care, sustainability, research and conservation.
• Develop and implement the area’s animal collection plan and guest experiences with the Animal Operations Manager.
• Manage the area’s training, enrichment and welfare programs with the Behavioral Husbandry team.
• Deliver inspiring guest experiences.
• Ensure accurate animal data collection in ZIMS.

Skills

Animal management

Leadership

Communication

Team interaction

Organizational skills

Microsoft Office

ZIMS

Oral and written communication

Schedule flexibility

Problem-solving

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor's degree in Zoology or related field

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Outlook

PowerPoint

SharePoint

ZIMS

Job description

Job Requirements

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is seeking experienced candidates for a Zoological Manager position on the Small Mammal Ectotherm Team. The Zoological Manager, in partnership with a team of Zoological Managers and the Animal Operations Manager, is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Small Mammal Ectotherm collection and staff. Duties include oversight of all aspects of animal husbandry, staff selection and development, and facilities management. The primary focus of this position will be managing and supporting the mammal collection within the SME team.

Job Requirements

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is seeking experienced candidates for a Zoological Manager position on the Small Mammal Ectotherm Team. The Zoological Manager, in partnership with a team of Zoological Managers and the Animal Operations Manager, is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Small Mammal Ectotherm collection and staff. Duties include oversight of all aspects of animal husbandry, staff selection and development, and facilities management. The primary focus of this position will be managing and supporting the mammal collection within the SME team.

This is a Full Time position.

You will report to the Animal Operations Manager.

What You Will Do

• Lead the team to deliver uncompromising excellence in animal care and welfare.
• Direct supervision and management of a large animal keeper staff – including staff selection, development and performance reviews.
• Co-manage of all aspects of husbandry for the Small Mammal Ectotherm team.
• Promote and enforce safety protocols, company guidelines, policies and standards.
• Primary contact for animal health, nutrition, horticulture, operations, education and facilities.
• Interact with other zoological facilities and conservation organizations on issues regarding the progressive animal care, husbandry, sustainability, research and conservation.
• Along with the Animal Operations Manager, develop and implement the area’s animal collection plan and guest experiences.
• In partnership with the Behavioral Husbandry team, manage the area’s animal training, enrichment and welfare programs.
• Lead, develop and promote the delivery of inspiring guest experiences.
• Ensure accurate and timely animal data collection in the ZIMS system.
• Assist in managing the area budget.
• Organize and coordinate animal shipments with other facilities.
• Take leadership role during emergency situations (i.e. animal escapes or injuries, severe weather, etc.).
• Become qualified as a member of the Animal Escape, Recovery and Firearms team.
• Perform the Animal Care Duty Manager role, as required.

Required Qualifications & Skills

• Minimum of nine years combined animal management experience, could include on the job experience and/or post-high school education.
• Minimum of five years of paid experience at an AZA accredited or equivalent facility
• Demonstrated leadership ability
• Demonstrated ability to positively interact within a team environment.
• Demonstrated strong organizational and communication skills.
• Computer proficiency with Microsoft software (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, SharePoint and ZIMS)
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills
• Schedule availability to include weekends, variable shifts, and holidays

Preferred Qualifications & Skills

• Previous Zoological management experience
• Experience with a wide variety of taxa management
• Experience managing exotic mammals and ectotherms within guest experiences and education settings
• Experience in developing animal guest experiences
• Experience managing and developing behavioral husbandry practices
• Experience with animal population management
• Experience with ZIMS

Required Education

• High school degree or equivalent plus a minimum of either:
• Nine years paid experience as a keeper in an AZA accredited institution, or in an institution with equivalent standards

or

• Five – Seven years paid experience as a keeper in an AZA accredited institution, or in an institution with equivalent standards and and/or at least two years of verifiable college course work (60 semester hours) or Bachelor's degree totaling nine years combined animal management experience

Preferred Education

• Bachelor's or associate degree in Zoology or related field

Additional Information

Benefits and Perks: Disney offers a rewards package to help you live your best life. This includes health and savings benefits, educational opportunities and special extras that only Disney can provide. Learn more about our benefits and perks at https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits.

Disclaimer

PAY TRANSPARENCY

The hiring range for this position in Florida is $76,800.00-$102,900.00 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.

This position is with Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc., which is part of a business we call Walt Disney World Resort.

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