Bird Department Supervisor

The Bird Department Supervisor assists with ensuring the care and welfare of birds living at the Detroit Zoo. This position will oversee a team that cares for a variety of bird taxa and will assist with the coordination of Bird Department activities. The Supervisor is responsible for the animal care staff, oversees daily animal care and welfare, coordinates repair and maintenance of bird facilities, and demonstrates leadership in implementing the Detroit Zoological Society’s (DZS) mission.

The Bird Department Supervisor will publicly and privately support the principles and mission of the DZS. They will support, adhere to, and enforce DZS policies and standards and will always demonstrate high integrity and professionalism.

The job description is not all-inclusive and may be subject to change during a performance period. It will be reviewed and modified as needed to ensure effective operations and successful execution of the DZS mission.

• Supervise animal care staff and assign tasks.
• Ensure animal care staff are sufficiently trained in all areas including, but not limited to, animal natural history & identification, feeding procedures, cleaning and disinfection standards, safe bird handling techniques, applying behavioral husbandry principles, emergency procedures, and routine maintenance.
• Assist with the preparation of staff work schedules.
• Work with the Bird Department supervisory team to be familiar with all departmental activities and needs.
• Responsible for managing animal care staff performance and development.
• Ensure staff compliance with policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Manage discrepancies between staff performance and expectations through the Just Culture framework.
• Coordinate animal health and medical procedures with veterinary staff and provide or coordinate medical treatments as needed.
• Regularly review bird diets with veterinary and commissary staff.
• Provide leadership and participate in developing, implementing, and evaluating enrichment and training activities.
• Conduct inspections of bird facilities and public areas as needed to ensure animal, guest, and staff safety. Report necessary facilities and equipment maintenance needs in a timely manner and submit work orders.
• Lead or participate in safety drills and respond to emergencies as needed.
• Assist with the supervision and coordination of field conservation programs.
• Conduct educational presentations or other public speaking engagements in both formal and informal settings.
• Maintain records, inventories, and other information and provide written and verbal reports as required.
• Ensure compliance with AZA, USDA, and other applicable regulatory standards.
• Participate in the recruitment and hiring of bird department staff.
• Coordinate tours and assist with public events as needed.
• Monitor pest activity throughout facilities and coordinate interventions with Pest Control staff.
• Perform other duties as required.

• Bachelor’s degree in zoology or a closely related discipline.
• Four (4) years’ experience in the care of captive wildlife, three (3) of which include the care and management of birds.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Basic computer skills including Microsoft Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel programs.
• Must have strong judgment and problem-solving skills.
• Must have leadership and team-building abilities.
• Detail-oriented, organized, and good time management skills.
• The ability to interact with a diverse team and audience, both internally and externally.
• The ability to provide consistent feedback and direction to staff.
• Strong emotional intelligence, empathy, and communication skills in the workplace, and an ability…