Zoo Curator

Zoo Curator

This is a full-time position working 40 hours per week typically 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Sunday through Thursday, with infrequent call back to duty after hours.

This position is under the direct supervision of the Zoo Director and the general supervision of the Parks & Recreation Director.

The Zoo Curator is responsible for the health and welfare of all Zoo animals, coordinating Zoo vector control needs with Park Maintenance, maintaining an on-going animal education program with all area schools and the general public.

This is a working supervisor position and works directly with Zoo collection and performing zoo keeping duties as required.

This position has been classified as a safety sensitive position and is subject to our drug testing policy to include pre-employment, random, reasonable suspicion and post-accident for the following prohibited substances: marijuana, amphetamines, opioids, phencyclidine (PCP), and cocaine, as well as any drug not approved for medical use by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Typical Duties:

• Checks all of the Zoo animals and reports any changes to the Zoo Director immediately.
• Treats and/or medicates any animals needing treatment.
• Maintains written medical records on animals needing specialized care and entering information into ZIMS.
• Works closely with area veterinarians and maintains medical records on all Zoo animals (i.e., births, deaths, height, age, r, medical history, genetics, etc.,) into ZIMS.
• Feeds and waters all animals under medical supervision.
• Maintains all State and Federal permits for the Zoo.
• Prepares new educational programs for area schools and provides educational talks to the area schools and civic groups, including Zoo tours.
• Coordinates with the Parks & Recreation Department on decisions as to location and type of vector control methods that are needed on the grounds and helps execute them.
• Assures deceased animals are properly disposed of.
• Cleans and disinfects hospital cages, hospital, and associated holding pens.
• Purchases all medical supplies, vector control supplies, and educational supplies, maintain inventory.
• Confers with and Zoo Director on any dietary changes or special needs.
• Trains, evaluates, and coordinates Zoo volunteers.
• Performs other duties as deemed necessary by the Zoo Director.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Requires an Associate Degree or higher in a Science or Zoo related field.
• Requires a minimum of five (5) years' work experience in a full-time zoological park or wildlife setting, as a veterinarian assistant or has demonstrated experience with animals (such as farm or zoo animals) and animal related medical equipment or equivalent.
• Requires good public speaking skills and demonstrates the ability to deal with the public effectively.
• Must be in good physical condition (job requires some heavy lifting).
• Must have a valid driver's license.
• Must pass pre-employment screening.
• Position requires the use of safety toe footwear.

Licenses and Certificates:

• Equivalent or higher of a New Mexico Class "D" driver's license. (Out of State valid driver's license is acceptable as well)

Knowledge

Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of:
  Municipal organization operations, policies, and procedures. Tools, equipment, materials, and methods used in Zoo and facilities maintenance.
• Skills in:
  Use of hand and power tools and other general cleaning and maintenance equipment. Effective verbal communication.
• Ability to:
  Establish and maintain effective working relationships with vendors, City staff, and the public. Understand and follow oral and written instructions. Orally communicate clearly and concisely.

Physical Requirements:

• Stand or sit for prolonged periods of time.
• Occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist. Lift, carry, push, and/or pull moderate to heavy amounts of weight.
• Use repetitive hand movements, fine coordination and manual dexterity which permits the employee to operate standard office equipment and computer systems, and hand and power tools.
• Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing to permit the employee to discern verbal instructions, use a phone, radio, and communicate with others and operate motor vehicles.
• Sufficient visual acuity which permits the employee to comprehend written work instructions.

Working Conditions:

• Work typically performed outdoors with frequent travel to various sites and facilities of a zoo environment.
• Regular attendance is an essential function of this job to ensure continuity of services.
• Occasional work beyond normal business hours.
• Required to work in or with water, on slippery or uneven surfaces, with exposure to a variety of domestic and wild animals, airborne particles, potentially toxic and/or caustic chemicals, and extreme temperatures, travel from site to site, work around traffic.
• Use of safety shoes, glasses and other equipment is required.
• Position is subject to drug testing and regular driver's license monitoring in accordance with applicable State and Federal regulations and City…