Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Assistant Curator for Behavioral Husbandry





Assistant Curator for Behavioral Husbandry

July 09, 2015 - July 24, 2015
Location:        Denver, CO
Exempt/Non-Exempt:        Exempt

Benefits:        This is a regular full-time position with excellent benefits including complete medical/dental/vision coverage, 403(b) retirement plan and a generous vacation package.

Employment Type:        Full Time

Department:        Animal

Description:        At Denver Zoo, our mission is to secure a better world for animals through human understanding. We are a respected leader in animal care and exhibition, conservation programs, scientific study, environmental education and public service.

Summary:
This position advances the mission of Denver Zoo by providing strong supervisory leadership within the animal care team and within the zoo team as a whole. Ensure safe and engaging exhibition, handling, feeding and husbandry of animal species at the zoo through applied management of the behavioral husbandry program.

Duties:        

Essential Functions:
•As needed, assists with curatorial and animal care staff duties during absences in the area.
•Applies practical knowledge of the principles, practices, methods and techniques of behavioral husbandry, to the needs and requirements of a variety of exotic animals sufficient to ensure the optimal exhibition, care and husbandry of those animals.
•Manages behavioral husbandry programs to meet Strategic Imperative related goals of the organization as well as those of the Animal Care Team and individual divisional goals.
•Works with Curator of Behavioral Husbandry to develop and implement behavioral husbandry staff training. Mentor and guide animal care staff towards continued professional development.
•Attends and provides support for animal training sessions
•Helps maintain and manage behavioral program framework (SPIDER model).
•Works with Curator of Behavioral Husbandry to develop area policies and procedures and provides implementation and interpretation of policies and procedures to area animal care staff.
•Recommends, implements, and coordinates with zookeepers, curators, veterinarians and other zoo personnel to effectively manage behavior programs in the animal care department.
•Orders enrichment and other supplies as needed for area.
•Provides leadership and guidance towards innovative animal husbandry that is in compliance with AZA and USDA standards.
•Implements area and zoo-wide safety standards as they apply to behavioral husbandry.
•Acts as duty officer as needed. Acts as emergency supervisor during zoo emergencies as stipulated in the emergency manual. May be a member of the emergency firearm shoot team as required.
•Professionally interfaces with other Denver Zoo team members, zoo colleagues, media partners and other professional organizations.
•Participate in zoo-wide initiatives such as committees, working groups, etc as needed or desired.
•Interviews, selects and oversees behavioral interns and their projects.
•Recognizes and addresses performance by area team members.
•Monitors and documents performance evaluations for area staff if applicable. Provides ongoing feedback regarding levels of performance in regard to the behavioral husbandry program and related behaviors.
•Provides input towards the development of departmental budgets.
•Participates in a variety of professional meetings and activities such as steering committees, advisory groups, etc. Publishes work as necessary.
•Participates in conservation, research and educational programs as requested or desired. Maintains data for behavioral husbandry research projects and assessments.
•Effectively communicates zoo-wide, division and area information to assigned staff.
•Effectively communicates within all levels of the organization. Works in a fluid and flexible manner and successfully address changes and challenges as they arise.

Additional Responsibilities:
•Works weekends, holidays as assigned and on occasion evenings, as needed.
•Performs various tasks as assigned.

Qualifications:        
•A bachelor degree in biology, psychology, zoology, wildlife management or a related field. A minimum of five years experience as a zookeeper involving behavioral husbandry training or behavioral evaluation of a variety of exotic animals in an AZA accredited institution. Comparable facilities may be considered on a case by case basis. Supervisory or lead keeper experience is recommended. Some experience may be substituted for education, education may be substituted for experience at the discretion of the Vice President for Animal Collections.
•Proven expertise in behavioral science specialty, research methods, public interaction and interpersonal skills.
•Oral and written presentation skills.
•Competency in computer skills; word processor, spread sheets, Internet and networks.

Licensure and Certification:

•Possession of a valid Colorado Class “R” Driver’s License within three months of hiring.


Please don't forget to mention you saw this advert in

Thank You!

No comments: