Curator of Mammals

Job Description

Job Description

Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium

Position Title: Curator of Mammals Job Code:

Department: Living Collections Job Grade:

Reports To: Vice President of Living Collections FLSA Status: Exempt

Purpose :

The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium is looking for its next Curator of Mammals. Candidates must be dynamic and detail-oriented leaders who excel in building relationships, customer service, strategic thinking and bringing people together. The Curator of Mammals is responsible for overseeing the mammal collection at the zoo’s Highland Park campus in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Curator of Mammals is responsible for the growth and development of the mammal collection.

Responsibilities include the daily oversight of the zoo’s mammal collection (other than marine mammals, ambassador animals and those mammals found in the Kids Kingdom section of the zoo). These include, but are not limited to, primates, large carnivores, African elephants, hoofstock, and small mammals.

The Curator may also be responsible for non-mammalian animals, such as birds, reptiles, or fishes, which are housed within the mammal areas. They are also responsible for preparing and maintaining records including all aspects of animal management.

Other critical responsibilities include training, monitoring, and mentoring staff as well as participating when needed in the care of elephants and other mammals to meet the long-term goals of the Zoo.

With a strong, new leadership team, an impactful strategic plan, and a dynamic, ambitious 20-year masterplan, the zoo is pursuing a vision that centers around best practices for animal care, employee engagement, diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility, customer service, community engagement and partnerships and overall excellence.

The Pittsburgh Zoo is currently accredited by the AZA, Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks, ZAA, is certified by American Humane and a member of WAZA.

Pittsburgh was recently named by Livability.com as one of the top 10 cities to live in the US.

Essential Job Functions :

• Train, oversee and support keeper staff in a positive environment that fosters excellent morale and supports the zoo’s culture of excellence in animal care and welfare, including appropriate food, water quality, habitat provisions, environmental enrichment and appropriate social groupings.
• Ensures prescribed Standards for animal care and welfare are met, including those set by USDA, AZA, ZAA, AHA, and others as directed.
• Under the supervision of the VP of Living Collections develops goals and associated plans for the behavioral management of elephants and other species, coordinating efforts as a member of the Animal Management Team.
• Oversees the behavioral management of elephants and other mammals through observations and interactions with the animals, evolving a positive reinforcement training program using progressive best practices.
• Objectively evaluates the welfare of animals within their responsibility and works with a team of keepers, curators, and veterinarians to monitor and make recommendations to enhance animal welfare.
• Responsible for creating and maintaining a goal-oriented enrichment program for all animals at the ICC that promotes enhanced psychological and physical health.
• Develops and maintains protocols and elephant program to meet and exceed the AZA Standards for Elephant Management and Care and USDA standards.
• Observes and monitors the health of animals in the area, maintains open communication with the Animal Health Team, and ensures adherence to the preventative health program and medical treatments.
• Ensures safety of animals, staff, and public in all spaces.
• Inspects and monitors food preparation and storage areas for safety and cleanliness.
• Prepares and maintains records of all aspects of animal management, records daily behavior, breeding behavior, capture and restraint, routine and non-routine medical procedures, etc.
• Oversees documentation of all training and enrichment to show measurable outcomes.
• Responsible for creating an environment where animals are given the greatest opportunity to thrive and exhibit natural behaviors.
• Works with Assistant Curators and keepers on a one-to-one basis, mentoring on bathing, collecting blood, foot care, and other management behaviors.
• Demonstrates good leadership traits including accepting input from employees and colleagues, arbitrating disputes, and instilling a positive work environment. Supervises and monitors the work of employees involved in the care and maintenance of the animal populations, ensuring accountability and providing both oral and written instructions and evaluations.
• Excels at teaching and instructs employees in correct methods; checks and approves work, reviews, mentors, and evaluates employee performance, and establishes plans to develop employees for professional growth.
• Plans, schedules, and assigns work to staff; establishes priorities.
• Coordinates and manages animals for transfers.
• Participates and often serves as the IR in managed species programs within AZA and ZAA.
• Facilitates research projects at the zoo; keeps current with ongoing elephant/animal research including scientific advances.
• Acts as liaison with various agency partners in the management of conservation animals.
• Corresponds with other institutions and private specialists on current developments in all aspects of animal care and welfare, especially involving primates, elephants, ungulates, and carnivores.
• Participates in the zoo’s conservation education programming including presenting educational talks to visitors, as well as representing the Zoological Society of Pittsburgh in the media and other public presentations.

Other Functions :

• Serves as senior supervisor for the zoo on occasional weekend days and holidays.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Performance Factors:

1. Attendance and Dependability: the employee can be depended on to report to work at the scheduled time and is seldom absent from work. Employee can be depended upon to complete work in a timely, accurate and thorough manner and are conscientious about assignments.
2. Communication and Contact: the employee communicates effectively both verbally and in writing with superiors, colleagues, and individuals inside and outside the Zoological Society.
3. Relationships with Others: the employee works effectively and relates well with others including superiors, colleagues, and individuals inside and outside the Zoological Society. Exhibits a professional manner in dealing with others and works to maintain constructive working relationships.
4. Excellence in customer service in the areas of guest relations and park beautification.
5. Communication and Contact: the employee communicates effectively both verbally and in writing with superiors, colleagues, and individuals inside and outside the Zoological Society.
6. Accountability: the employee holds staff accountable for accomplishing assigned tasks and objectives and similarly holds oneself accountable for meeting the same standards.
7. Relationships with Others: the employee works effectively and relates well with others including superiors, colleagues, and individuals inside and outside the Zoological Society. Exhibits a professional manner in dealing with others and works to maintain constructive working relationships.

Education/Experience/Knowledge/Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Biology, Zoology, Wildlife Management/Science or a related field, or an Associate’s degree and additional experience, is required. An equivalent combination of higher education and zoological experience will be considered. High School diploma required.
• Advanced knowledge of natural history and management of elephants in a zoo setting is preferred.
• Minimum of five (5) years, increasing responsible experience in the care, training, handling, and breeding of mammals in a zoo setting, and proficiency with and knowledge of all AZA elephant management techniques. Experience with a wide variety of mammalian taxa is desirable.
• Three (3) years supervisory/management/leadership experience.
• Strong leadership and partnering skills, ability to operate as a member of a dynamic and diverse team, strong organizational time management, and problem-solving skills, and proven ability to successfully develop and implement a keeper training program and operant conditioning training program.
• Completion of both AZA Principles of Elephant Management Course I and II preferred.
• Must have a current valid driver’s license with good driving record and the ability to obtain and maintain a PA driver’s license (within 6 months of hire).
• Must have the ability to foster teamwork within and across teams.
• Must have astute attention to detail and a positive attitude.
• Must provide documentation of current, negative TB test and Covid-19 full vaccination record.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, etc.). Experience with ZIMS is preferred.
• Experience leading teams of animal professionals.
• Excellent teaching, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Physical Requirements:

This position primarily works in an office setting but works outdoors as well. Must be available on occasional evenings, weekends and holidays. Occasional local and out-of-town travel is required. This position can be physical at times; requires the ability to lift, push, pull, carry, walk, stand, stoop, bend, etc.