Animal Care Supervisor

Animal Care SupervisorThe Santa Barbara Zoo is looking for an Animal Care Supervisor to coordinate daily animal care operations, supervise keeper staff, and support mission-focused animal care and zoo-wide initiatives.Position Status: Full-Time, Hourly, Regular, Non-exemptSchedule: 40 hours per week, work days TBDCompensation: $31.30 - $34.50 per hourUnder the general direction of the Zoological Managers and Director of Animal Care, the Animal Care Supervisor is responsible for supervising and coordinating daily animal care operations to optimize animal care and wellbeing, maintenance and cleanliness of exhibits, supervising keeper staff, supporting and implementing mission-focused animal care and zoo-wide programs and initiatives, ensuring compliance with regulations, and providing a positive guest experience. The Animal Care Supervisor will be assigned to animal care zones based on departmental needs and assigned direct reports based on animal care zone needs.Essential DutiesSupervises direct reports (keepers) as assigned by Zoological Manager, including coaching and mentoring, regular feedback and accountability, and annual performance evaluation.Collaborates with the Zoological Manager to support management of a team of Keepers in providing the highest standards of care to ensure the health and well-being of the animal populationSupports the Zoological Manager with day-to-day operations, and is responsible for supervising animal care operational tasks as assigned by Zoological ManagerActs as Animal Care and/or Zone Point of Contact when directed, and in Zoological Managers' absenceActs as a role model/leader in animal husbandry, health issues, and welfareApplies an understanding of animal husbandry, health, and welfare to determine animal management direction, including operational proceduresRecognizes and determines the seriousness of abnormal behavior and medical conditionRecognizes the importance of animal welfare and regularly assesses the welfare of animals through daily operations and population level welfare assessments, including facilitating welfare assessments, collation of assessments and completion of identified actions, and strives to optimize welfare for all animals under their careAssists with regular adherence to USDA Animal Welfare Act, regional, federal, and AZA standards associated with animal care and welfare, and ensures Animal Care staff are accountable to these standardsAssists Zoological Manager in ensuring that all animal husbandry and health duties are performed in the safest manner, following established standard operating guidelines (SOGs) and protocolsIdentifies specific animal husbandry/health problems, and implements a systematic approach to solving the problemCommunicates veterinary and animal husbandry information in a timely manner to the keeper team, Animal Care & Health team, and to Senior Management staffWorks collaboratively with the Veterinarians and Veterinary staff to ensure the highest level of medical care for the animals in the collectionWorks collaboratively with the Nutritionist to ensure optimal nutrition and feeding strategies for the animals in the collectionAssists the Zoological Manager in ensuring the application of training to optimize care and welfare, supports keepers in the identification and implementation of training goals, developing shaping plans, and collaborates with the animal training consultants to achieve training goals and advance the training programAssists Zoological Manager to ensure the application of enrichment and enriching experiences to optimize care and welfare, supports keepers in the identification and prioritization of enrichment goals, evaluates enrichment activity schedules & devices to determine effectiveness, and collaborates with enrichment consultants to achieve enrichment goals and advance the behavioral enrichment programSupports the Animal Training and Enriching Experiences Programs to advance the behavioral enrichment programAssists the Zoological Manager to develop and support the Ambassador Animal ProgramCollaborates with the Animal Care team and other zoo departments on exhibit/animal space modifications and enhancements, and designing new exhibits/animal spacesAssists with development, review and updating all applicable SOG's and protocols for animal husbandry and the Ambassador Animal ProgramAttends weekly Animal Management and Quarterly Animal Welfare Assessment Working Group meetings in the Zoological Manager's absence or as directedSupports the goals of breeding programs for managed populations (SSPs) and may be assigned as an institutional representative for managed populations (SSPs)Actively encourages and supports Keepers to participate in AZA animal programs (TAGs, SAGs, SSPs, SAFE programs, committees) and leads by example by supporting AZA animal programs, such as being a SSP coordinator, studbook keeper, TAG/SAG/SAFE/other committee memberEncouraged to present at scientific meetings/workshops/conferences, to give informal presentations, and to prepare scientific papers or articles for publicationGives informal and formal presentations or trainings to zoo staff as assignedKnowledge of AZA accreditation standards and AZA animal programsAssists Zoological Manager to ensure animal daily records are entered into the electronic recordkeeping system (ZIMS) accurately, consistently, and in a timely mannerCollaborates effectively with other departments such as Education, Guest Services, Institutional Advancement, and Marketing to achieve the goals of the AC&H department and zoo-wide programs and initiativesOther duties as assignedSecondary DutiesGreets every guest with a smileThanks guests for supporting/visiting the ZooAnswers phone calls, voice mails, and e-mails promptlyEnsures the Zoo's presentation standards for cleanliness and maintenance are met by keeping work areas clean, picking up trash, reporting unsafe or unsightly conditionsAssociates with guests to assist and share informationResponds to all guest inquiries, complaints, and comments according to Zoo guest relations proceduresMaintains a clean neat appearance and adheres to the Zoo's uniform dress codeTakes responsibility for staying informed about happenings at the Zoo, such as reading employee communications and attending meetingsReflects the qualities outlined in the Guest Relations Statement, the Zoo's Core Values, and the Employee PledgeApplies and exemplifies "green" (sustainable) practices whenever possibleOther miscellaneous duties as requiredPosition CriteriaTo perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements and environmental characteristics described below are representative of the knowledge, skill, ability, and working and physical elements required of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.Education & ExperienceBachelor's degree in Life Science such as Biology, Zoology, Ecology, or closely related disciplineMinimum three years of experience in routine animal husbandry in a zoo, aquarium, or closely related activityDemonstrated leadership abilitiesLicense, Certification, or Preferred QualificationsValid driver's license with good driving record is desirableAbility to certify in First Aid/CPR/AEDMust have current negative TB test and rabies titer and provide documentation, or be willing to have a TB test and rabies titerHiring contingent on successful LiveScan DOJ background checkKnowledge, Skills, & AbilitiesKnowledge of animal behavior and natural historyKnowledge of procedures for observation, handling/restraint, training, enrichment, reproduction, facility needs and health of animalsUnderstanding of emergency situation procedures, specifically those involved with guest and staff safetyMust possess sound judgment and ability to use common sense for effective decision-makingBasic computer skills (Word, Outlook, Excel)Ability to remain calm and lead in stressful situations and in times of emergency/crisisAbility to interact with a team including the ability to gather information and generate team consensusAbility to follow oral and written directionEffective oral and written communication skillsAbility to develop warm and friendly relationships at workAbility to interact courteously and respectfully with supervisors, fellow employees, volunteers, our guestsAbility to exercise safe work habits while in the proximity of