Zoo Curator; General Curator

Overview

Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo is a unique, 10-acre zoo home to over 70 different species of animal and maintained by SF students in the premier Zoo Animal Technology program, the zoo showcases a diverse collection that contains both native and exotic species for all to enjoy. The Zoo Curator provides leadership for the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo in partnership with the Director, with responsibilities for animals and facilities.

The General Zoo Curator ensures that the animal collection is provided with the best possible care through the implementation of enclosure design, the safe acquisition and disposition of animals, coordination with veterinarians, and training for Zookeeper staff on how to provide for the collection’s care. The Zoo Curator oversees the upkeep of the entire zoo facility including public areas, Zookeeper areas, and animal habitats, and serves as the point of contact for all scientific research conducted at the SF Teaching Zoo.

The Zoo Curator provides support and perspective to the Director in strategic planning, goal setting and attainment, and may act on behalf of the Director as needed (including meeting with donors, community members, tour groups, and representing the college at the Emergency Management Team). The Zoo Curator supervises the Assistant Curators and part-time workers, including ZAT students.

Essential Duties and

Other Responsibilities:

• Evaluates and monitors the SF Teaching Zoo’s animal collection daily and functions as the primary contact for all animal projects and animal wellbeing reports.
• Collaborates with the Director and zoo staff to develop and update the SF Teaching Zoo’s institutional collection plan, facility strategic plan, and master plan.
• Serves as a liaison with veterinarians and manages the health of the animal collection by monitoring medication, tracking treatment plans, and coordinating transportation of animals to the UF Veterinary Clinic.
• Develops and fulfills animal quarantine procedures and protocols with neonatal and geriatric care in mind.
• Provides leadership and supervision to Assistant Curators, part-time and student staff, including hiring, training, scheduling, performance management, and professional development.
• Mentors and guides ZAT students and provides constructive feedback on their performance.
• Assists in the instruction of ZAT students on exhibition construction including tool usage, materials, construction, and exhibit furnishing.
• Collaborates with zoo faculty to develop, update, distribute, and implement animal procedures.
• Maintains a working relationship with AZA managers to keep them informed on species availability and animal wellbeing developments and fulfills their management recommendations for breeding and transfers.
• Collaborates with zoo staff and internal departments to construct animal habitats and enclosures that maintain compliance with governing agencies and follow best practices.
• Maintains relationships with all regulatory agencies and ensures the zoo is compliant with their standards and permits.
• Ensures the safety and security of the zoo by maintaining the public areas, Zookeeper areas, and animal habitats.
• Manages all scientific research at the zoo, chairs the research committee, and evaluates all research proposals.
• Acts on behalf of the Director in their absence and as needed, including at media events, meetings with donors, community members, and tour groups, and as a representative on the college’s Emergency Management team.
• Represents the zoo at various internal and external committees, meetings, and community events.
• Provides support for zoo-wide operations, special projects, and cross-departmental initiatives as a staff member of the zoo.
• Complies with all published College Rules, procedures, guidelines, and laws/regulations governing public employees, including but not limited to those related to document retention and destruction, FERPA, and confidentiality. Honors privacy, security, and confidentiality of records and other sensitive information according to regulations.
• Provides service excellence through courteous, informed, accessible, and professional engagement.
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