Now is a great time to join our family and be a part of Zoo Miami’s dynamic future as we strive to ‘Share the wonder of wildlife and help conserve it for generations to come’. Experiencing an exciting time of advancement, Zoo Miami is focused on five strategic priorities: Animal Well Being, Conservation and Stewardship, Guest Experience, Financial Strength, and Performance Excellence.
Zoo Miami is proud to be active in many global wildlife and environmental conservation initiatives and is involved in over 36 projects taking place on six continents. The largest and oldest zoological garden in Florida, Zoo Miami is the only tropical zoo in the continental United States, occupying almost 750 acres (340 developed), the Zoo is home to approximately 3,000 animals representing nearly 500 different species.
Zoo Miami currently has a full time Animal Care Coordinator (Zoological Supervisor 1) position available to assist with the supervision of our Elephant Team. We are searching for a team-oriented candidate that will be engaging and delivering exceptional animal care and customer service by creating friendly and positive interactions with the animals, guests and co-workers.
This position reports directly to the Assistant Curator of Elephants. This team works with both Asian Elephants and African Elephants in a Protected Contact (PC) setting, utilizing a choice-based, behaviorally progressive approach through Positive Reinforcement Training (PRT) and behavior based enrichment. The ability to work with additional taxa may also be utilized at times.
Responsibilities/duties include, but are not limited to:
Actively participating in comprehensive elephant behavior management through a choice-based, PRT behavioral approach. Maintaining all elephant voluntary husbandry behaviors and providing the best care through a robust animal training program. Ensuring elephant well-being is prioritized through behavior based enrichment and proper feeding strategies. Leading elephant team members through daily care, enrichment planning, and training sessions of African and Asian elephants.
Provides overall daily care, maintenance and inspection of elephant habitats, holding areas, equipment and related public areas to ensure animal health and safety, staff safety, and public safety through standard operating procedures for animal care as set forth by AZA, USDA and Zoo Miami; supervises Zoo Miami Keeper Aides; oversees and mentors to keeper staff during daily activities; supervises staff in the absence of the Animal Care Manager.
Performs daily inspections of elephants to check for changes in behavior, diet consumption, signs of illness, reproductive status, etc. as well as inspect their on and off-habitat enclosures; removes harmful foreign objects from habitat areas; shifts and secures animals on and off habitat; cleans, rakes, scrubs, and applies any necessary sterilizing agents; performs scientific observations such as recording weights, welfare assessments, measuring fecal output, and other measures for evaluation purposes; participates in the performance of specialized animal care; providing medical care as directed; participates in blood draws; administers medication; coordinates, prepares and observes animal introductions as directed; participates in educational presentations; prepares daily written and electronic reports to supervisor on any changes in behavior, diet, sickness, reproductive status, etc.; prepares diets at elephant areas as directed by the Zoo Nutritionist; inspects prepared animal food for correct portions and proper balance of ingredients and supplements; ensures food preparation area is clean, disinfected and properly sanitized as set forth by AZA, USDA, and Zoo Miami.
Reviews and approves tasks of the enrichment liaison; writes, reviews, approves and presents for approval animal operant conditioning/behavior and enrichment plans; conducts operant conditioning/behavioral sessions, conditions new behaviors; assists with coordinating and implementing research and conservation initiatives of best practices in animal management and reproduction.
Writes, directs and delivers fun, interactive guest engagement through public keeper talks and tours and/or impromptu interactions on the public walkway.
Serves as the training and internship/volunteer liaison; assists in the coordination of special projects and work to be performed in the elephant areas, such as well-being data collection, research, and educational projects. Supervises and assists in conducting employee training for new or existing Animal Science staff; participates in evaluating and rating of employee’s performance and payroll. Assists in making recommendations regarding hiring, discipline, and promotion of subordinates; assists in the scheduling of daily work routines of subordinate animal care employees.
Performs minor maintenance and repairs on enclosures, equipment and habitat furnishings; prepares requisitions for equipment and supplies for approval; serves as the lead for habitat design and construction/maintenance for projects; assists with compiling necessary material supply lists; responsible for lock inspections, lubrication and primary security of containment areas; assists as required with care and maintenance of botanical collection at assigned habitat areas; makes recommendations for plantings suitable for animal browse and enrichment; prepares and maintains appropriate substrate levels for habitats and habitat holding areas.
Responds to emergency situations and natural disasters such as animal escapes, injuries, wildfires, and hurricanes in accordance to established operating procedures.
Performs related work as required which may include completing tests, attending meetings, workshops, etc.; eligible to serve and/or represent Zoo Miami in the following capacities:
