Zoological Manager - Birds - ZOO

Department: Zoo

Job ID: 13125

Pay:  $23.99 per hour

Work Schedule:

Sedgwick County offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees that includes health coverages, paid leave, regular compensation reviews, retirement plans, and professional development opportunities. For more detailed information, please visit our benefits page at SCBenefits .

Supervises, trains, and monitors zookeepers in the care and management of birds within the assigned Zoo areas. This position requires occasional participation in the care of birds when covering zookeeper shifts. Ideally this will be no more than 16 hours per week but may on occasion be more. Inspects facilities for security, safety and for repair and maintenance. Interacts and provides customer service to all Zoo-defined customers. This position participates in a mandatory on-call rotation.

Supervision of Zookeepers

• Supervise and evaluate performance of zookeepers.
• Plan, schedule, and assign work duties within zoological area.
• Monitor and acquire area supplies and resources under the direction of curator.
• Train and mentor zookeepers, recognize performance deficiencies, and take corrective action when needed.
• Produce SOPs and other documents for areas of responsibility, including employees, facilities, and animals within the area.
• Supervise and monitor animal introductions and animal restraint.
• Participate and assist curator and registrar in planning animal transfer activities. Work with veterinary staff to facilitate associated medical testing needs.

Animal Well-being, Care and Management

• Ensure animals are housed and cared for in ways that meet all Zoo-defined goals.
• Handle animals for husbandry needs, medical purposes, and in preparation for transport.
• Maintain a current understanding of animal natural history and terminology. Interpret animal behavior, and recognize abnormalities and potential medical conditions. Under the direction of veterinarians and/or curator, administer medications or treatments as needed.
• Maintain a comprehensive understanding of AZA Accreditation Standards, as pertains to all job duties.
• Communicate observations of animal behavior and health condition to veterinary department and/or curators, administer medications or treatments, as needed.
• Monitor incubation process of eggs; record weights and size. Set eggs in incubators, monitor temperature and humidity, candle eggs to determine fertility, and assist in egg hatching, if required.
• Drive Zoological Society-owned vehicles, as needed, to care for or transfer animals to other zoological facilities. Animal transfer trips may occasionally require overnight travel.

Area Maintenance

• Ensure service areas, animal habitats, and public viewing areas meet safety requirements and are properly maintained.
• Ensure all areas are clean, organized, and free of clutter. Ensure public areas are clean, presentable, and aesthetically pleasing.
• Monitor and ensure usability and availability of tools used regularly by team: wheel barrows, rakes, shovels, hoses, scrub brooms, tubs, and a variety of other tools used in the care of animals.
• Regularly inspect animal habitats and associated facilities for security and safety.
• Complete or conduct minor repairs to facilities, as needed.
• Identify and communicates any pest control problems to the veterinary department and curator.
• Participate in an on-call rotation during emergency situations.

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Zoology, Environmental Resources, Wildlife Management, or a related field. Two years of animal care experience working with birds. Per Sedgwick County policy, this is a driving level position that requires a valid US driver’s license without restrictions and current proof of automobile insurance.

Preferred Qualifications: Three years of animal care experience working with birds at an AZA Facility.

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