Area Manager - Carnivore And Birds

Maryland Zoo is an EEO employer - M/F/Vets/Disabled
General Summary: Provides day-to-day leadership and management of specific animal areas which supports the mission and core values of the Zoo to the staff engaged in the care and exhibition of the collection.
Essential Functions:
Primary Function:

• Supervise and coordinate all activities of keeper staff assigned to them;
• Perform keeper duties as needed to ensure that daily animal needs are met;
• Ensure that all animal care activities meet department, Zoo and AZA standards;
• Act as a liaison for curators and keeper team regarding the daily concerns of the department and Zoo;
• Report animal health, behavioral and welfare concerns to curators and vet staff as appropriate;
• Carry out annual performance reviews for all direct reports;
• Ensure that all direct reports adhere to department and Zoo policies, and implement disciplinary actions as necessary;
• Participate in recruitment and onboarding of new Animal Department hires;
• Foster a team culture of inclusivity and collaboration;
• Develop, implement and maintain area and team SOP documentation in collaboration with curators;
• Ensure that animal records are kept up-to-date and accurate;
• Assist with upkeep of buildings and exhibits, including pest control, winterization, landscaping and perching;
• Carry out back-up manager duties as assigned by department management;
• Be available 24/7 for emergency response coverage;
• Participate in the Zoo's emergency firearms response team and meet annual firearms training requirements;
• Perform all other duties as assigned; and,
• Adhere to department and Zoo policies.

Communication (Internal and External):

• Actively collaborate with curators and vet staff to ensure the husbandry and behavioral management practices are to the highest standards;
• Maintain open lines of communication with direct reports and provide them with all necessary updates pertaining to animal management and Zoo operations;
• Provide regular coaching to all direct reports;
• Represent the zoo to guests, donors, zoo community associates, and the general public;
• Engage with the public to answer questions and share knowledge about the Zoo, thereby enhancing the guest experience;
• Actively collaborate with the Marketing, Development, Education and Visitor Services departments to design and implement programs and presentations directly related to the animal collection;
• Actively collaborate with the Marketing, Development, Education and Visitor Services departments to produce and participate in non-routine special events; and,
• Conduct and/or contribute to Area, Department and All-Staff meetings.

Management of Resources (financial, human resources, facilities):

• Make recommendations to the General Curator on personnel decisions, including hiring and firing of team members, promotions and disciplinary actions;
• Prepare and communicate performance evaluations of direct reports;
• Recommend improvements and repairs to animal exhibits and facilities;
• Recommend updates, clarifications and additions to Animal Department policies and procedures;
• Coordinate with the Maintenance department for repairs, non-capital renovations and improvements;
• Manage team schedules and PTO;
• Support inventory control and maintain all assigned department equipment in good working order;
• Participate in the annual budget process; and,
• Provide supervisory back-up for the other Area Managers.

Minimum Qualifications:
Education:

• Bachelor's Degree preferably in Biological Sciences, Zoology, Wildlife Management, Animal Science or related science; and,
• Experience may be substituted for a degree.

Experience/Training:

• Three years paid experience with an AZA accredited zoological institution (preferred);
• At least one year of supervisory experience or equivalent experience working with animals in a supervisory capacity;
• Valid driver's license; and,
• Demonstrated supervisory ability as well as ability to lead and mentor professional staff;

Traits Desirable:

• Ability to work with a wide variety of individuals from ethnic, cultural and economic backgrounds;
• Extremely well-organized;
• Strong leadership, communication, mentoring, time management, interpersonal and follow-up skills;
• Self-directed, collaborative and detail-oriented; and,
• Strong background in animal husbandry, training, or enrichment.

Equipment:

• Must be able to operate a variety of machines and equipment including telephone, two-way radio, motor vehicles, electric golf carts, hand tools, animal restraint and capture equipment, gardening/carpentry tools, power equipment, e.g. leaf blower, weed eater, lawn mower, or power washer and computer equipment, scales, transponder reader, digital thermometers and water chemistry equipment. Must be proficient with a word processing and spread sheet program (e.g. Microsoft Word, Excel); and
• Ability to use personal electronic device as a remote desktop for business purposes.

Working Conditions:

• Must be able to exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, 25 pounds frequently and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Physical demands are in excess of those for sedentary work; must be able to remain on feet for periods of time, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, push, pull, climb, balance;
• Must be able to travel large areas of the Zoo as needed;
• Must be able to work in an outdoor weather environment in all seasons and weather, including heat/humidity, cold temperatures, and/or wet conditions;
• Must be able to lift and/or carry weights of up to 75 pounds and climb a ladder;
• Exposure to potential environmental hazards such as poison oak/ivy, uneven terrain, and insect bites/stings;
• Exposure to zoonotic diseases and risk of animal attack; and,
• TB test, physical, and rabies vaccine required.

Disclaimer:
The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and/or skills required of all personnel so classified. Therefore, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed when circumstances change
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