Assistant Curator, Pinnipeds Columbus Zoo and Aquarium · Powell, OH

Powell, OH Full Time Agriculture, Forestry, & Fishing, Installation, Maintenance, and Repair, Nonprofit and Volunteer Services Posted 08/25/2026

Inspire Teams. Advance Animal Wellbeing. Create Extraordinary Guest Experiences.

As the Assistant Curator, Pinnipeds, you will be a key leader within the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium's Wild Encounters team, helping oversee the care and management of our pinniped collection while developing staff, promoting animal wellbeing, supporting conservation initiatives, and delivering memorable guest experiences. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced marine mammal professional to make a lasting impact on animals, people, and wildlife conservation.

• Supports the Curator of Wild Encounters and Zoo leadership in daily area operations, including scheduling, staff coordination, training, evaluations, mentoring, and adherence to safety protocols.
• Assists with implementing area-specific procedures, projects, and animal wellbeing best practices in alignment with professional standards.
• Under the Curator's guidance, contributes to protocol development, collection planning, and external professional associations.
• Leads staff in animal training and the delivery of educational and engaging guest experiences.

• Supervise the daily care, husbandry, training, enrichment, nutrition, and overall management of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium pinniped collection.
• Assist the Curator of Wild Encounters with policies and protocols related to animal health, disease diagnosis and treatment, husbandry practices, nutrition, enrichment, and overall animal wellbeing.
• Support oversight of the pinniped training program, including animal training goals and staff management.
• Supervise food preparation procedures, including storage, thawing, processing of daily diets, and facility cleanliness.
• Continually evaluate animal target weights and diets and provide updates to the Curator of Wild Encounters.
• Manage animal diets under the direction of the Curator of Wild Encounters, Director of Animal Nutrition, and Zoo veterinarians, including oversight of staff administration of prescribed medications.
• Assist with animal transports, restraint techniques, and animal acquisitions and dispositions.
• Initiate wellbeing assessments and ensure appropriate follow-up actions are implemented.
• Oversee or delegate planning and coordination of veterinary procedures.

• Support the Curator of Wild Encounters and Zoo leadership in daily area operations, including scheduling, staff coordination, training, evaluations, mentoring, adherence to safety protocols, and personnel matters.
• Supervise staff in daily operations, including assigning work, providing written and verbal instruction, hiring, scheduling, performance management, staff development, and disciplinary actions.
• Supervise staff development and training and implement standardized staff and collection training programs.
• Hold weekly regional staff meetings and attend required Zoo-wide meetings.
• Perform staff duties and related operational tasks within the region as needed.
• Create and review regional risk assessments.
• Input and submit facility work orders.
• Assist with preparation and execution of the region's budget.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Lead staff in animal training and the delivery of educational and engaging guest experiences.
• Oversee staffing and implementation of programs, including hosting, training, and poolside interaction during presentations and performances.
• Lead on-grounds programs, guided tours, and stage presentations.
• Communicate marine mammal, conservation, and exotic animal topics accurately and professionally to guests, staff, and stakeholders.
• Support development of educational graphics, conservation initiatives, research efforts, and visitor amenities and services.
• Represent the Columbus Zoo Family of Parks nationally and internationally, as requested.
• Submit articles to zoo-related publications.
• Promote and support the mission, values, and sustainable practices of the Columbus Zoo Family of Parks.

• Ensure compliance with Zoo safety policies, procedures, and standard operating practices.
• Ensure area compliance with professional standards established by AZA, AMMPA, and ZAA.
• Assist with development of area-specific protocols, procedures, projects, and animal wellbeing best practices aligned with professional standards.
• Under the Curator's guidance, contribute to protocol development, collection planning, and professional engagement.
• Support development of short- and long-term goals for the animal collection, exhibits, educational opportunities, conservation initiatives, visitor amenities, and services.
• Support planning and implementation of improvements related to animal care, exhibits, signage, horticulture/landscaping, and visitor satisfaction.
• Manage,…