The Buffalo Zoo is seeking a highly motivated, energetic, and highly articulate individual to serve as the Curator of Animal Behavior and Welfare.
The Buffalo Zoo –
As one of the crown jewels of Western New York’s cultural and recreational attractions, the Buffalo Zoo welcomes 500,000 guests on an annual basis. The Zoo sits on 24 acres and includes a variety of buildings and habitats. Many of the components of the campus have historic significance. The Zoo is operated by the Zoological Society of Buffalo, Inc. under a lease agreement with the City of Buffalo. Since 2000, more than $50 million worth of capital improvements to exhibitry and infrastructure have been completed. In 2019, the Zoo’s five-year strategic plan was completed. Our mission of Building CommunityCreating ConnectionsSaving Wildlife is guiding our masterplan that is under development. This masterplan will guide the growth and development of the Zoo for the next twenty years.
Overview of Position:
Basic Purpose and Responsibility:
Reporting to the Chief Zoological Officer, this position is responsible for many developmental and administrative functions for the Zoo’s animal collection with the goal of promoting animal husbandry, care, and welfare, and supervision of the Animal Department staff. This position works collaboratively with the Veterinary, Facilities, Guest Experience, Marketing/Events and Education departments.
Essential Functions:
General Responsibilities –
• Primary accountability for specific functions and results. The list of essential functions is not exhaustive and may be supplemented or changed as necessary.
• Oversees and ensures the proper care, husbandry, and welfare of the department’s animal collection through development and oversight of the Zoo’s Behavior and Welfare Programs to include animal training and enrichment programs, animal welfare assessment program, and animal research implementation plans.
• Works in coordination with the Curator of Animal Operations, to ensure implementation of Animal Behavior and Welfare initiatives while meeting care and husbandry goals.
• Works in coordination with the Curator of Grounds and Horticulture to oversee the browse program.
• Assists with design of new/renovated exhibits and holding areas in accordance with USDA requirements and AZA Behavior and Welfare related guidelines.
• Initiates, teaches, oversees, and develops resources for a train the trainer program.
• Manages the enrichment program (manages the approval process, updates the approved/ not approved lists, trains keepers on proper enrichment techniques, etc.).
• Participates in the Zoo Research Committee which oversees formal internal and external research project approval. Oversee any approved projects or researchers as needed.
• Communicates with the Veterinary staff to ensure optimal healthcare for the animal collection and assists with medical procedures and examinations, as necessary. Incorporates veterinary staff into training programs.
• Act as Curator on Duty or Director on Duty as assigned.
Curatorial/Supervisory Responsibilities –
• Coordinates Behavior and Welfare activities of the department through effective communication with the Chief Zoological Officer, Curator of Animal Operations, Assistant Curators, Team Leads/Animal Managers, Keepers I, II, III, and Students/Interns/Volunteers.
• Conduct staff meetings and trainings as needed.
• Supervises department personnel, hires and trains staff, responsible for scheduling training/enrichment/welfare activities, payroll/time keeping duties may be required, and participation in performance management is a must. Acts as a key management representative for department on collective bargaining matters, serving on labor / management committees, processing grievances, and participating in labor / management initiatives, etc. as assigned. Ensures Animal Department compliance to the Unionized workers’ contract.
• Participates in developing a continuous improvement plan for the department as well as each staff member, focusing on enhancing team skillset and productivity. Ensures that keepers are given ample feedback and are rewarded for success and understand areas of needed improvement.
• Write, update, and review animal behavior and welfare protocols ensuring husbandry standards are met.
• Establishes, updates and maintains consistent application of department policies and procedures.
Other –
• Interacts with guests and provides informal and programmed educational information, relative to Zoo programs, Animal Behavior, Animal Welfare, etc. Conducts tours and assists with public, media and interviews as requested.
• May help with the acquisition and disposition of specimens and planning/ implementing various projects.
• Develops the Institutional Collection Plan with the Chief Zoological Officer, other Curators/ Assistant Curators, Senior Staff, and the President/CEO.
• Participates in relevant Taxon Advisory Groups (TAGs) and Species Survival Plans (SSPs) as institutional representative. Leadership role(s) in AZA conservation and science committees/activities is encouraged.
• Maintains complete and accurate animal records, etc.
• Prepares an annual departmental budget and maintains a thorough understanding of budgetary resources allocated to the Animal Department. Analyzes and prepares a variety of reports/forms, billing invoices, and general correspondence. Manages departmental purchases.
• Represents the department at senior staff meetings, animal management meetings, animal welfare committee meetings, Research Committee meetings, Board of Directors meetings and other in-house and external functions including professional association meetings as requested.
• Participates in emergency response as a member of the emergency response team and potentially the Weapons Response Team.
• Keeps abreast of current field informational resources and implements change where beneficial to departmental goals.
• Fully supports Buffalo Zoo’s strategic plan, mission and core values, and works with all Zoo staff to support these plans. Positively promotes and fosters work that improves department function and productivity to exceed standards.
• Performs related work as required.
The duties listed above are intended only as an illustration of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. Additional duties as assigned by the Chief Zoological Officer or the President/CEO.
Position Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required:
Education and Experience (Minimum Needed):
• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree required (in one of the Biological Sciences preferred) with a minimum of five years of experience working with exotic animal husbandry at an accredited AZA institution or related facility.
• Diversified experience and demonstrated knowledge of animal training, enrichment, welfare programs, husbandry and management of an exotic animal collection in a professional setting.
• Demonstrated training, coaching, and/or mentoring of staff/coworkers highly desired.
• Public presentation experience required.
• Minimum of three – five years of management/supervisory experience needed; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
Special Skills:
• Must be able to work independently and with high degree of efficiency.
• Must be able to maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the public.
• Working knowledge of personal computers and software applications preferred (MS Office Suite) and possess thorough knowledge of current animal care record keeping software to include ZIMS.
• Must be able to handle multiple projects simultaneously.
Other:
• Curator must be on 24-hour call. May be required to work evenings, weekends and holidays.
• Position is considered “Essential/Mandatory Staff” and may be required to work on adverse weather days and during emergencies.
• Successful completion of a post-offer pre-employment general medical screen and drug test prior to starting work.
• Successful completion of a post-offer pre-employment background check.
• Successful completion of a post-offer fitness for duty test.
• TB Test conducted annually.
• Must possess or be able to obtain within 30-days of employment a valid New York State driver’s license and have an average or better driving record based on the evaluation process of our insurance company. Retention of position is contingent upon maintaining required license. Must upgrade to classification appropriate to requirements (non-CDLC or CDL class).
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
A large percentage of duties are performed outdoors in various weather conditions, ranging from rain, wind, cool to cold weather, and extreme heat and humidity. It is possible the employee will be exposed to dust and harsh chemicals that if not handled properly may present a health hazard. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear. Use computer hardware and software for extended periods of time (repetitive motion). Sitting for long periods of time. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
A fitness for duty test will be required in order for the successful candidate to be given further consideration for the position.
Compensation and Benefits
This is a full-time, exempt position. Salary $65,000 to $70,000 depending on qualifications. Benefits available include health plan, life insurance, dental, vision, 403B retirement plan, annual leave time, holiday time, and sick time. Benefits are available after the successful completion of an introductory probation period of 60 days of work. Sick time available upon hire.
To apply, please send resume and cover letter no later than July 25, 2021 in Word document or PDF by email to: zooapplications@buffalozoo.org No telephone calls please. Position open until filled. For more information about the Buffalo Zoo, please visit our website by the following link: http://www.buffalozoo.org
Full Job Posting – https://buffalozoo.org/about/#careers
The Buffalo Zoo is an At Will employer and all Buffalo Zoo employees are subject to employment eligibility and background security checks as well as testing for illegal substance use as allowed by law.
Equal Opportunity Employer