Animal Curator

Title:                           Animal Curator

Category:                   Fulltime, Year-round

Reports To:                Executive Director

FLSA Status:              Non-Exempt                                                                                                          

Supervises

Assistant Curator, Animal Keepers, Animal Care Interns, Volunteers

General Function

To lead by example, the organization and staff through hard work, dedication, appropriate appearance, and proper work ethics.

Major Activities (Typical Duties/Responsibilities)

• Oversee animal husbandry personnel hiring, training and evaluation
• Provide direction and supervision over animal husbandry staff
• Create and maintain the working schedule for the animal husbandry department. Adjusting schedules to meet the needs of the AWCC. Remaining flexible as Curator to cover the needs of the animal care department.
• Manager on Duty Shifts: the AWCC operates with a general MOD and an animal care MOD. The Curator will assist with general MOD coverage when needed, occasionally having to double cover a general shift as well as an Animal Care MOD shift. The Curator will ensure all animal care MODs are trained to handle emergency situations.
• Establish and implement animal collection and exhibit plans that meet the established goals and objectives of the AWCC
• Develop and implement animal health and husbandry programs consistent with professional standards of care
• Work with the Head Veterinarian and ensure animal health and welfare is top priority, carrying out medical prescriptions and procedures as needed. Ensure staff is trained to handle medical needs and requirements.
• Assist Head Veterinarian with medical procedures.
• Oversee the AWCC animal training regime, ensure husbandry staff are involved and working with the wildlife at AWCC under AWCC’s operant conditioning-based philosophy for its resident wildlife.
• Member of the AWCC shoot team & able to handle emergencies, chemical immobilizations, and other situations that can arise.
• Assure compliance with relevant local, state, federal and international wildlife, and animal welfare regulations
• Direct the development, application and tracking of the animal husbandry operating budget(s)
• Assist with development and fund-raising activities, including special events. Assist with filming projects.
• Participate, as a member of the senior management team, in site, facility and exhibit planning and ensure a constant focus on animal welfare and a high-quality visitor experience
• Encourage, promote, and participate in initiatives to enhance the guest experience both directly and through outstanding living animal exhibits
• Promote staff development, technical training, and morale
• Oversee animal husbandry staff participation in public interaction including behind the scenes tours, speaking engagements, media communication and guest education
• Contribute to educational and promotional materials produced by education and development staff
• Provide guidance and oversight of research and conservation projects conducted by animal husbandry staff
• Serve as AWCC representative to professional agencies, institutions and committees and contribute to institutional accreditation processes
• Attend relevant professional meetings and conferences
• Communicate regularly with professional colleagues at other institutions
• Other duties as assigned

Required Skills/Abilities

• Ability to manage a team in a professional manner
• Ability to work in a team environment to help achieve AWCC’s goals and objectives.
• Strong communication skills, both written and oral.
• Must possess a positive and respectful attitude.
• Excellent customer services skills.
• Exceptional work ethic, attention to detail and time management skills.
• Abilities to lift 80#, bend, reach, stand, crawl, and work in a drastically changing weather environment
• Ability to compromise, listen, learn, understand, and follow instructions and directions.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with other employees.
• Ability to work directly with the public, providing information and assistance as needed.
• Ability/willingness to learn and pass on to customers those areas of interest to visitors, such as local history, people, culture, geography, etc.
• Ability to operate UTVs, ATVs, snow machines, trucks, trucks with tongue and gooseneck hitches, and tractors.
• Ability to work with hand tools and small power tools, chainsaws, etc.
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule as needed
• Proven ability to effectively lead in a fast-paced environment
• Efficient, organizational skills, time management and ability to multitask
• Current in the following vaccinations: Rabies, Tetanus, and COVID-19

Job Specifics

• Compensation starting at an annual salary of $70k, DOE
• Option to select medical, dental, and vision insurance. AWCC’s covers 100% of the employee premium
• Option to select 403-b retirement, matching 3% after 1 year of service
• PTO benefits, up to two (2) weeks in first year, more as tenure of service continues
• 10 paid holidays including the employee’s birthday
• 30 hrs of annual sick leave

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS (education, experience, skills)

• A Bachelor of Science in animal sciences
• A minimum of 4 - 5 years of related managerial experience.
• Experience training an array of species, including carnivore and hoofstock animals
• A positive attitude and strong work ethic.