Zoological Manager - Farms - ZOO

Department:  Zoo 

Pay:  $23.75 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 domestic animals. This position requires occasional participation in the care of animals 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. Position is active in domestic farm breed organizations. This position participates in a mandatory on-call rotation.

Supervision of Zookeepers

• Budget, monitor, and acquire area supplies and resources under the direction of the curator.
• Train and mentor zookeepers, recognize performance deficiencies, and takes corrective action when needed.
• Produce SOPs and other documents for areas of responsibility including employees, facilities, and animals within the area.
• Participate and plan animal transfer activities. Work with veterinary staff to facilitate associated medical testing needs.
• Participate in evaluating zookeeper applications for open positions and in selecting final candidates.

Animal Well-being, Care and Management

• 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 curators, administer medications or treatment 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, and administer medications or treatments as needed.
• Ensure regular and timely recording of animal behavior observations, training and enrichment activities, and animal health conditions.
• Communicate nutritional needs and concerns to curator and veterinary staff.
• Create genetically sustainable breeding plans on a yearly basis by establishing breeding “groups” within the farm animal population.
• In consultation with Zoo veterinarians will artificially inseminate farm animals.
• 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.
• Safely work with and around delicate and potentially dangerous animals. Complete required training and safely operate all zoo-required equipment for completion of job duties. 

Area Maintenance

• Ensure service areas, animal habitats and public viewing areas meet safety requirements and are properly maintained.
• Budget, 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.
• 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: Six years of animal care experience working with domestic species. Up to four years of experience may be substituted with education in Biology, Zoology, Environmental Resources, Wildlife Management, or a related field that provides applicable knowledge and skills. 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 at an AZA Facility or heritage farm working with domestic species Master’s Degree in Biology, Zoology, Environmental Resources, Wildlife Management, or a related field.

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