Assistant Curator, Mammals

Position: Assistant Curator, Mammals-Africa (Full-Time)

Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens

Oversee the daily care and welfare of safety-sensitive and diverse species, ensuring exceptional husbandry, enrichment, behavioral health, and social management.

Partner with Veterinary team to monitor health, implement medical protocols, and optimize animal wellbeing.

Implement and enforce safety, biosecurity, and emergency response protocols for both staff and animals.

Lead behavioral management programs to reduce stress and risk, ensuring species-appropriate training and enrichment strategies.

People Leadership & Performance Management

Lead, mentor, and develop animal care staff, volunteers, and interns, fostering a high-performing, collaborative, and inclusive team.

Support recruitment, onboarding, training, and ongoing performance evaluation to promote professional growth.

Communication & Influence

Collaborate across departments, providing clear updates and guidance to staff, veterinary teams, and operations personnel.

Represent the organization professionally during guest interactions, educational talks, tours, and community engagement activities.

Safety, Compliance & Decision-Making

Ensure strict adherence to institutional and regulatory standards, including documentation, reporting, and accreditation requirements.

Exercise sound judgment in high-pressure or emergency situations, making decisions that prioritize safety, welfare, and operational continuity.

Strategic Thinking & Organizational Impact

Participate in programs, Taxon Advisory Groups (TAGS), Species Survival Plan (SSPs), studbooks, and Managed Animal Plans (MAP).

Contribute to long-term collection planning, operational improvements, and conservation priorities, aligning daily work with organizational goals and sustainability.

What you bring…

Ability to work a schedule of Tuesday–Saturday or as operational needs require.

Professional Experience

5 years of professional animal care experience in a zoo, aquarium, or wildlife setting, preferably across a multi-taxa collection, with progressive responsibility in husbandry, enrichment, social management, and participation in AZA programs or conservation initiatives.

2+ years of supervisory or team leadership experience, including mentoring, staff development, scheduling, and performance management in safety-sensitive or restricted-contact environments.

Demonstrated experience working safely with moderate-risk and/or safety-sensitive species, with the ability to assess hazards and respond calmly in high-pressure or emergency situations.

Experience collaborating with veterinary, behavior, and welfare teams on social introductions, transfers, medical procedures, or habitat access coordination.

Proven ability to adhere to institutional safety, biosecurity, and emergency protocols while working with species.

Proficient knowledge of species-specific husbandry, enrichment, and behavioral management techniques.

Experience maintaining compliance with USDA, FWC, OSHA, AZA, and institutional standards
, including safety, biosecurity, and established animal care protocols.

Proficient in Microsoft Office 365 and willing to learn new systems (e.g., Paycom, Paycor, Paper Save).

Proficient using ZIMS or comparable animal records systems.

A combination of education and experience may be considered. Candidates without a formal degree may qualify through extensive, progressively responsible experience in animal care and staff leadership.

Pre‑Employment Requirements

Candidates selected for this position must successfully complete all pre-employment screenings prior to their start date. Compliance with these requirements is mandatory to ensure the safety of staff, animals, and visitors. These include:

• Verification of professional references.
• Employment history verification.
• Criminal background check.
• 5‑panel drug test.
• Non‑DOT physical examination.
• Proof of a current negative tuberculosis (TB) test.
• Documentation of required vaccinations, including rabies vaccination or titer.

Education & Experience Highlights

Associate’s or Bachelor's degree in Zoology, Biology, Animal Behavior, Conservation Science, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience demonstrating progressive…