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JOB TITLE:                      ASSOCIATE CURATOR OF LARGE MAMMALS

 

REPORTS TO:                SENIOR CURATOR

 

DEPARTMENT:               SAVANNA/LARGE MAMMALS

 

DATE:                              August 2024

 

JOB SUMMARY 

This is a supervisory position in animal care, working closely with the Senior Curator, as well as the other Associate Curator, overseeing a progressive department of animal care professionals, managing animals and associated facilities of the assigned department. The Associate Curator provides leadership and supervision to animal care staff. This position will be responsible for the team’s training and development, implementing effective animal management practices, and accomplishing the management goals of the department. Significant elephant experience is preferred.

 

 

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

 

• Develop, implement, and supervise safe, proper protocols for all aspects of care for the assigned animal collection including sanitation, health, nutrition, reproduction, behavior, and behavioral husbandry and overall well-being.
• Cooperatively develop and implement comprehensive collection plans for each species of the department under the supervision of the Senior Curator.
• As needed, coordinate animal acquisitions and deaccessions, in support of Dallas Zoo’s Institutional Collection Plan, liaising effectively with AZA animal programs. 
• Direct and monitor the activities of the Zoological Managers, Assistant Zoological Managers, and Zoologists; implement training programs in all areas of animal care, facilities maintenance and operation and professional development.
• Actively recruit zoologist staff, interns, and volunteers; support Senior Curator to strategically develop a dynamic team of animal care professionals.
• Communicate and lead DZM management policies, train staff in safety and security protocols. 
• Supervise maintenance of a ZIMS-based records system documenting activities and events within the Savanna’s animal collection; prepare required reports summarizing department activities.
• Collaborate and support veterinary staff in the medical care of the designated animal collection.
• Collaborate in production of interpretive graphics associated with animal exhibits.
• Collaborate with the facilities department; manage buildings, exhibits, holding areas and grounds of relevant areas; assist in prioritization and coordination of needed maintenance.
• Assist in design and implementation of building renovations and new exhibit construction.
• Participate in research as assigned, and/or produce popular or scientific papers concerning biology and captive management of wild animals.
• Assist with identifying budgetary requests, including capital improvements and major maintenance. Monitor expenses of time and material projects, minor tools and equipment, professional services, animal transportation; Assist the Senior Curator in administering the departmental budget.
• Represent the Department and/or DZM at professional meetings, conferences or in the media as required.

 

• Follow all safety protocols, understand the Curator’s role in emergency procedures, and serve as a member of Dallas Zoo’s Emergency Response Team.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

 

QUALIFICATIONS

• A bachelor’s degree in biology or related science field is preferred; graduate degree desirable.
• Must have extensive knowledge of animal husbandry. With a degree, at least nine years of exotic animal care experience at an AZA accredited facility. Without a degree, eleven years of exotic animal care experience at an AZA accredited facility.
• Five years of AZA supervisory experience.
• Significant elephant experience is preferred.
• Must be solution-oriented, finding creative solutions for complex challenges.
• Demonstrated interest and expertise in management and reproduction of diverse mammal species.
• Comprehensive knowledge of mammal reproduction, as well as neonate care. 
• Comprehensive knowledge of behavioral management, including operant conditioning philosophy, techniques and terminology, as well as benefits and goals of environmental enrichment.
• Incumbent should have broad interests in research, behavior and conservation.
• Excellent facilitation, as well as communication skills, both oral and written.
• Comfort with computer software: MS Word, Excel, Outlook, Power Point.
• Ability to represent the Zoo in a professional manner at all times.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in emergency situations and to respond with appropriate action.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision, must be self-directed.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationship with management, other employees & zoo guests.
• Must be able to walk, stand, sit, kneel, stoop, crawl, twist, reach above head, pull, bend, climb stairs and ladders and carry up to 50 lbs.;
• Must be able to work holidays and weekends, assuming and performing similar duties at regular and irregular hours as required
• Must be able to actively work outdoors in hot or inclement weather.
• Successful candidates must pass pre-employment drug screening, background check and TB test.
• Must have a valid driver’s license to operate zoo vehicles and reliable transportation. 

 

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by personnel assigned to this job and is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties to be assigned.