Animal Care Manager; Herpetology, Ichthyology, and Life Support Systems

Overview

Woodland Park Zoo — Animal Care Manager (Herpetology, Ichthyology, and Life Support Systems)

SALARY & FLSA: $76,107.20 - $ per year; FLSA exempt

The $76,107.20 annual starting pay is structured to be competitive and may extend up to the $95,128.80 midpoint of the annual range, reflecting our commitment to offering competitive compensation to qualified candidates.

OPENING DATE: 11/26/2025

CLOSING DATE: 12/16/2025 This position may close early if a sufficient number of qualified applications are received.

JOB TYPE: Regular, Full-time

UNION: Non-Represented

OPENINGS: 1

LOCATION: On Grounds

DEPARTMENT: Animal Management

SUMMARY

The Animal Care Manager is responsible for the daily supervision and care of the assigned animal classification at Woodland Park Zoo. This role supports the Curator in managing staff, animal welfare programs, and daily zoological operations planning. The position plays a key role in ensuring the highest standards of animal care, staff development, and inter-departmental collaboration.

WHO YOU ARE

As our new Animal Care Manager, we know you will be successful in this role because you are:

• You’re an experienced and knowledgeable animal care professional – With a strong background in Herpetology, Ichthyology, and Life Support Systems, you bring deep expertise in animal husbandry, welfare, enrichment, and behavioral management for ectotherm species.
• You’re a supportive and effective leader – You excel at supervising and developing keepers and lead keepers, setting clear expectations, coaching for growth, and holding teams accountable to high standards of care and safety.
• You’re a clear communicator and strong collaborator – You work seamlessly with veterinary teams, curators, operations staff, and other departments, contributing to population planning, protocol development, medical procedures, and section-wide coordination.
• You’re organized, adaptable, and aligned with our mission – You manage complex daily operations, maintain accurate records, support conservation and breeding programs, and navigate change with professionalism—always prioritizing exceptional animal welfare and the zoo’s core values.

YOUR PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supervise the daily care, wellbeing, and assigned taxon.
• Oversee animal care needs, including annual and as-needed diet reviews, habitat maintenance, and evaluation of animal and keeper areas.
• Ensure annual welfare assessments are completed for 100% of the animal population under supervision.
• Develop and implement welfare, enrichment, and behavioral management programs for the section.
• Supervise exhibit maintenance, enhancements, and repairs in collaboration with relevant teams.
• Directly supervise Lead Keeper and Keepers, promote team performance by setting clear goals, provide feedback, support professional development, and hold staff accountable to deliver identified outcomes in alignment with the organization’s strategic priorities, values, and Standards of Conduct.
• Provide input to the Curator on long-range population management planning, animal records, census data, and reporting.
• Assist with animal acquisitions and dispositions, including handling, transport, and shipment logistics.
• Draft, review, and implement written protocols for animal care and keeper safety, including risk assessments and emergency drills.
• Coordinate with the veterinary team to ensure optimal animal health care, including support during medical procedures and pre-shipment requirements.
• Responsible for breeding programs aligned with organizational and ex-situ conservation goals.
• Support or lead research projects related to the zoo’s animal population and research priorities.
• Manage section operations in the absence of the Curator, under the direction of the Senior Director of Animal Care.
• Represent the department and Woodland Park Zoo at cross-departmental meetings, conferences, and media engagements as requested.
• Perform additional duties as assigned, including work during weekends, holidays, evenings, and special events.

• Experience working with and training staff on venomous species of reptiles.

• Degree in zoological or biological…