Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium

POSITION POSTING

Department: International Conservation Center

Position Status: Full-time, Exempt

The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium is looking for its next Curator of the International Conservation Center. Candidates must be dynamic and detail-oriented leaders who excel in building relationships, customer service, strategic thinking and bringing people together. This position will oversee animal care at the 1,000-acre center located in Somerset, PA.

The current collection at the ICC includes breeding groups of 2.7 Elephants, Bison, Bactrian camels and Allegheny Wood Rats. There are plans to add additional species to the collection over the next several years. This position will serve as the Elephant Manager at the ICC.

With a strong 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.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Curator of International Conservation Center (ICC) is responsible for overseeing the animal collection at the zoo’s 1,000-acre International Conservation Center located in Somerset, Pennsylvania. The Curator of ICC is responsible for all aspects of the International Conservation Center’s animal programs and will serve as the center’s elephant manager.

Responsibilities include the daily oversight of a breeding herd of 2.7 African elephants and preparing and maintaining records including all aspects of elephant management. Other critical responsibilities include training, monitoring, and mentoring staff as well as participating when needed in the care of elephants to meet the long-term goals of the International Conservation Center’s elephant programs, as well as those of the other animals at ICC.

The current collection at the ICC includes elephants, bison, Bactrian camels and Allegheny Wood Rats. There are plans to add additional species to the collection over the next several years.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Responsible for implementing the daily husbandry, welfare, training, enrichment, and reproduction programs of elephants and other species housed at the ICC.
• Train, oversee and support keeper staff in a positive environment that fosters excellent morale and supports the zoo’s culture of excellence.
• Under the supervision of the VP of Living Collections and the Director of the International Conservation Center, 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 through observations and interactions with the elephants, 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 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 elephants and ungulates, 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.
• Facilitates research projects at the ICC; 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 elephant, ungulate, and general animal care and welfare.
• Participates in the ICC’s conservation education programming including presenting educational talks to visitors, as well as representing the ICC and the Zoological Society of Pittsburgh in the media and other public presentations.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience with elephants includes mixed gender and multi-generational herd management, geriatric care, artificial reproduction techniques and natural breeding, and neonate care in a protected contact environment as well as proficiency with and knowledge of all AZA elephant management techniques. Experience with ungulates and other taxa is desirable.
• Experience leading teams of animal professionals.
• Excellent teaching, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers.
• Ability to deliver and receive constructive feedback to improve team performance.

EDUCATION AND PRE-REQUISITES:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Biology, Zoology, Wildlife Management/Science or a related field, or an Associate’s degree, 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.
• Minimum of five (5) years, increasing responsible experience in the care, training, handling, and breeding of elephants. Experience with male elephants preferred.
• Three (3) years supervisory/management/leadership experience.
• Excellent elephant handling abilities, 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 for the elephants.
• Completion of both AZA Principles of Elephant Management Course I and II required.
• 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.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

This position works both in the field and in an office setting. Manual dexterity and balance are required to operate machinery and equipment. Must be physically able to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Work involves standing, walking, bending, reaching, crawling, crouching, etc. for periods of time. Must be able to lift and/or carry weights of fifty to seventy pounds. Position may require occasional off-site driving. Must be able to work in various weather conditions, as well as evenings and holidays when required.

Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer

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