Employment at the Central Florida Zoo

Job Title: Animal Department Manager              

JOB SUMMARY: The Animal Department Manager works under the direction and supervision of the Director of Animal Collections to achieve the specific goals and objectives of the Animal Department.  He/she assists in coordinating the activities of workers engaged in the animal collection of the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens. 

JOB DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assists in establishing and modifying as needed the Animal Department’s husbandry, sanitation, nutritional, maintenance and environmental requirements to promote the health and welfare of all departmental specimens

• Must be capable of interacting with Animal Department personnel, Zoo employees and the public in a professional and constructive manner.  Public speaking and participation in education and media programs is required

• Must be capable of perceiving changes in an animal’s behavior, which may signal signs of illness.  Coordinates capture and restraint and presentation of specimens for veterinary review.  Supervises medical regimens under the direction of the Veterinarian and Director of Animal Collections.  Evaluates animal’s response to suggested therapy.

• Coordinates quarantine, isolation and veterinary protocols with an emphasis on proper isolation, sanitary and acclimation techniques.  Maintains and updates animal health protocols, SSP necropsy protocols and tissue sample requests and protocols

• Oversees and assists Animal Staff with birth management and hand-rearing protocols and procedures

• Coordinates work schedule for the Animal Department to maximize productivity

• Assists Director of Animal Collections with writing and conducting employee performance evaluations.  Addresses Animal Department personnel issues as they arise

• Reviews resumes and schedules interviews to be conducted in conjunction with the Director of Animal Collections

• Organizes employee orientation, on the job training and specialized training

• Coordinates and supervises Animal Department internship program, job shadows and volunteers

• Schedules VIP encounters, PR Department requests and special event requests as relates to the Animal Department

• Acts as Zoo’s Registrar and creates and maintains animal records in an organized fashion and ensures animal records, daily logs, enrichment logs, manuals and written department procedures are properly maintained by Animal Keepers.  Must be able to input and maintain computerized records utilizing ISIS software

• Maintains Animal Department library

• Assists the Director of Animal Collections with animal acquisition, disposition and collection planning

• Acts as Zoo’s Institutional Liaison to a variety of AZA programs and oversees the response of Institutional Representatives to said AZA programs.  Replies to requests for information such as surveys, loans and studbook updates.

• Assists as required with construction project organization and material acquisition, including price comparison and product quality

• Member of the Zoo’s Rifle Team

• Will act as Animal Department supervisor in the absence of the Director of Animal Collections

• Will act in direct communication with the Zoo CEO in the absence of the Director of Animal Collections

• Must be dedicated to the mission and goals of the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens as they relate to the Zoo field and the conservation of wildlife

• Shall perform additional duties as assigned by the Director of Animal Collections

ACCOUNTABILITY: This position reports to the Director of Animal Collections of the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS: Assists in overseeing a diverse animal collection and a productive and innovative Animal Department.  Must possess excellent communication skills and the ability to adapt to an evolving workplace.

QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelors degree in Zoology or related field or two years relevant experience in an AZA accredited facility.

SALARY: Commensurate with experience.

Application deadline is July 22 and you should submit a cover letter and resume to the Human Resource Department of the Zoo at PO Box 470309, Lake Monroe, FL 32747 or by fax at 407.321.0900.

Internships

For those 18 yrs and older we offer two types of internship programs. One is for college credit (College Internship) and the other is for those wanting to gain experience in the zoo field (Life Experience).

College Internship Interns receive credit from their school by participating in the three-month program and typically completing a project or other requirement as determined by their school and the Zoo Curator. Applicants must complete a Zoo Volunteer Application, provide proof of liability insurance, submit a letter expressing his/her interest and a teacher/professor must provide a letter endorsing the student, verifying the internship is for class credit and detailing the information the student should be obtaining through the internship experience at the zoo. Interns must be available a minimum of two days a week for 8 hr days. Internships generally last for three months. For more information please call the Volunteer Office at 407.323.4450 ext. 120 or email volunteers@centralfloridazoo.org.

Life Experience Internship This internship is for individuals interested in gaining experience in the zoo field or wanting to explore this career path. This internship is not for school credit. A resume must be submitted along with a 300-word essay describing why they wish to participate in the program, what their expectations are and how they will benefit from the internship if selected for the program. Applicants need two letters of reference (from an employer or teacher, no personal references please), proof of liability insurance and a completed Zoo Volunteer Form. Life Experience internships are for three months and interns must be available for a minimum of two days a week for 8hrs a day. For more information please call the Volunteer Office at 407.323.4450 ext. 120 or send an email to: volunteers@centralfloridazoo.org.

Internship programs run by semesters: January-April, May-August and September-December.  All materials must be submitted by the 15th of the month, a month and a half prior to the desired semester (i.e. November 15th for a January internship).

___________________________________________________________