Ectotherms Supervisor - Conservation

Summary

This position will supervise the Zoo's conservation area within the Ectotherms Department. It is the responsibility of this position to lead and participate in complex work while overseeing staff and maintenance of a variety of animals and buildings within the Zoo with a special focus on ectothermic species; to assist veterinary staff as needed; and to perform a variety of technical tasks relative to assigned areas of oversight.

• Maintain a positive team environment alongside supervisor peers and curators to oversee facilities, animals, staff, and conservation initiatives while providing optimal animal care and unique visitor experiences
• Coordinate with supervisors and produce weekly staff work schedules, making sure all areas are adequately staffed, venomous coverage is adequate, and all scheduled keeper/visitor interactions are performed
• Communicate regularly with peers to oversee all staff and building operations; provide adequate supervisor coverage when other managers are absent
• Properly maintain building systems, monitor equipment/vehicles, and submit maintenance orders as needed
• Maintain inventory/ordering of building supplies, equipment, live food cultures, and food items
• Ensure exhibits are pristine, interactive exhibits and electronics are functional, and public walkways are free of clutter and safety hazards
• Conduct daily checks on all animal enclosures, paying special attention to feed cards, log sheets, general body condition and behavior of animal, cleanliness of enclosures, and general environmental parameters
• Ensure keeper work areas are clean and supplied with appropriate equipment and building areas are kept free of clutter and debris
• Implement regular maintenance schedule for all life support system (LSS) functions and filter changes and backwashes are performed as scheduled
• Maintain standards and testing as directed in aquatic and terrestrial areas and ensure SOPs are current
• Work with curators, veterinary/nutritional services, and staff to implement quarantine protocols, administer medical treatments, monitor health cases, and provide optimal welfare of animals
• Train and oversee new staff as directed and assign appropriate duties; participate in venomous/dangerous animal training
• Monitor work of assigned employees for accuracy, proper work methods, techniques and compliance with applicable standards and specifications
• Assign or provide appropriate back-up coverage as needed
• Verify staff are maintaining adequate records and following protocols (i.e., daily TRACKs entries; feeding; diet changes; weighing; population censuses; egg incubation/tracking; animal behavior, training and enrichment; introductions and breeding; water chemistries; health assessments/monitoring; UV lighting; LSS maintenance, etc.)
• Guide implementation of breeding plans, seasonal hibernation schedules, and record keeping in concert with curators. Provide oversight of the department’s target species breeding plans and reports
• Participate in conservation program field and research projects as requested
• Assign animal sections to keeper staff as needed and ensure research and biosecurity protocols are implemented
• Assist with animal shipments (i.e., pre-shipment testing, packing, transport, etc.)
• Report safety hazards and keep a safe work environment for employees and volunteers, maintaining area equipment, MSDS binders, and safety kit supplies
• Communicate orally with staff on a daily basis. Participate in coaching and disciplinary action of staff as needed
• Mentor staff in husbandry skills and to work efficiently and manage time appropriately
• Conduct tours and interviews as requested
• Fulfill other duties as assigned and those presented in Animal Collections Supervisor Job…