SUMMARY

The Birmingham Zoo is currently seeking applications for a Behavioral Husbandry and Animal Nutrition Center Manager. This fulltime position is split between Managing the Animal Nutrition Center (ANC) and overseeing/implementing the Enrichment and Training Programs. The expectations of this position on average is spending 15 hours a week on Animal Nutrition Center duties, 15 hours a week on Training and Enrichment program duties, and 10 hours flexed where it is needed.

This position requires working at least 40 hours per week, including weekends, holidays, and late events as needed.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Behavioral Husbandry Manager

Oversees the coordination and management of BZI’s Enrichment and Training Program and ensures the program meets or exceeds AZA Accreditation requirements.
Oversees Training and Enrichment Orientation for new Animal Care Professionals.
Attends training sessions and offers feedback and assistance for training behaviors.
Ensures quality and quantity of enrichment are up to standards.
Work with Managers to address animal behavioral issues or welfare concerns.
Assists with the creation of new enrichment items and new enrichment experiences.
Attend regular meetings with managers to evaluate the progress of the team’s training and enrichment goals.
Facilitates Enrichment and Training meetings monthly.
Ensures all departments are documenting their training and enrichment properly.
Assists in developing the program and integrating changes.
Assists in approving both new Enrichment and Training Goal Worksheets.
Other duties as assigned.

Animal Nutrition Manager

Conducts the day to day supervision of Animal Nutrition Center (ANC) Technicians, Volunteers, Interns, and/or staff members in assigned area.
Oversee and assists with preparation, organization, and delivery of animal diets when needed.
Oversees the nutrition center budget including purchase orders, maintaining record of expenses, facilitating orders, and maintaining appropriate inventory.
Ensures cleanliness and sanitization of the nutrition center to ensure USDA and AZA standards are met or exceeded.
Maintains a safe work environment for assigned staff. Identifies, reports, and works to resolve safety concerns in a timely manner.
Under the direction of the Animal Health Center, implements diet changes after approval by staff veterinarians. Assists in researching animal diet needs and diet changes when needed.
Accurately maintains all documents and records.
Engages and interacts with zoo visitors including providing tours of the Animal Nutrition Center.
Oversees hiring and performance management with a focus on developmental objectives. Completes performance appraisals and evaluations on all direct reports.
May take on Animal Department Coordinator duties as assigned to act as a point person for any major zoo animal issue or concern during the day.
Other duties as assigned.

PROFESSIONAL EXPECTATIONS

Becomes familiar with the BZI staff handbook and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) for the Department.
Provide leadership, support and direction to the ANC team and serve as a resource and partner to the Animal Health and Animal Care teams for diets, training, and enrichment.
Builds effective partnerships and strong relationships within and outside the department to ensure that animal wellbeing is prioritized.
Supports and participates BZI initiatives and projects. Demonstrates and supports staff participation in AZA, AAZK, and other professional organizations and conservation activities as appropriate

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Animal Nutrition Center Technicians
Seasonal Staff and Volunteers

SAFETY ANALYSIS

This position is expected to maintain the highest level of safety in the work area through implementation of safety protocols and procedures. The position is impacted by a wide variety of potentially hazardous exposures:

Will have to deal with the unpredictability of wild animals.
The care and husbandry of animals, some of whom are dangerous or may carry zoonotic diseases.
The proper use and understanding of cleaning and disinfecting agents.
Weather conditions including extreme heat, cold and storm conditions.

Specific training and procedures designed to maintain safety of people as the highest priority of the zoo followed by the safety of the animal collection will be provided.

The use and understanding of a variety of personal safety equipment is mandatory.

All staff members of the zoo are required to be familiar with the Zoo’s overall safety policies as outlined in the staff handbook as well as being responsible for reporting any injury immediately to the first aid department.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a staff member to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, staff should expect:

Use of hands, fingers, tools or controls.
Frequently required to stand; walk; sit; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch and talk or hear.
Routinely lift and/or move more than 50 pounds.
Exposure to wet surfaces and slippery surfaces.
Required to wear a face mask and or other personal protective equipment for long periods of time.
Depending on assignment, exposure to the elements can be expected.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

The Birmingham Zoo recognizes that skills and knowledge come from both formal and informal experiences including education, paid work, volunteer service, and life experience. Those who meet the majority of the requirements for a position are encouraged to apply.

Education and work experience

Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Zoology, or an equivalent field of study is preferred.
Three years of experience in animal care preferred.
Experience and knowledge of animal enrichment and training

Skills and Knowledge

Ability to think critically and demonstrated time-management skills.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, as well as decision making skills; possess team building skills; and has the ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
Must have ability to foster teamwork within and across teams.
Competency in computer skills.
Strong organizational skills with strong attention to detail.

Desirable qualities

Strong interest in advancing the conservation missions of zoos and aquariums.
High self-motivation and a detail-oriented work ethic.
Professional, positive, and enthusiastic demeanor.

Other Requirements:

Must have current negative TB test and rabies titer and provide documentation, or be willing to have a TB test and rabies titer. Must provide other documentation of vaccines or be willing to follow protocols including, but not limited to, wearing N95 masks and gloves.
Must be willing to travel locally. Must have a current valid driver’s license with no prior traffic violations within the last three years.

POSITION TYPE AND HOURS OF WORK

Full time
Schedule varies between weekdays and weekends.
Weekend work required as well as occasional evening work and holidays.

Workplace Environment

Birmingham Zoo is committed to being a place where everyone feels welcome, whether as a guest, team member, or part of our broader community. Our core values— Passion, Excellence, Teamwork, Stewardship, and Inclusion— shape a work environment where respect, collaboration, and learning are valued. We encourage candidates with unique perspectives and experiences to apply.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Birmingham Zoo is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

If selected, a background check and drug test will be conducted prior to beginning employment.

Birmingham Zoo Inc. is a not-for-profit entity.

Birmingham Zoo Inc

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