Assistant Curator, Mammals- Primate Forest (Supervisor)
Share
Job Location:
Jacksonville, FL - USA
Monthly Salary:
Not Disclosed
Posted on:
16 hours ago
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Job Summary
Application Deadline:Applications will be accepted until7 December2025and/oruntil a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. We reserve the right to closethe posting earlyif a well-qualified candidate pool has been established.Early submission is encouraged.Please ensure that your application highlights your experience and qualifications as they relate to the responsibilities of this role.
Are you passionate about primates and animal care leadership Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens is seeking an Assistant Curator of Mammals to join our Life Sciences team! This exciting role supports the Primate Forest overseeing our resident animals that includebonobos gorillas mandrills colobus monkeys and a variety of lemur species.
As an integral member of our team youll help guide animal care staff direct husbandry procedures and contribute to the ongoing enrichment welfare and conservation of our incredible primates. This is a unique opportunity to lead with impact develop your career in zoological management and help inspire a connection to wildlife for our visitors.
This is a hands-on leadership role ideal for a motivated individual ready to expand their management experience within a collaborative mission-driven environment. Youll be directly involved in the care and welfare of highly intelligent and socially complex primate species helping shape the future of their well-being in professionally managed care.
What Youll Do
- Oversee the daily care health and wellbeing of mammals in assigned areas ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare and behavioral enrichment.
- Support the development of habitats safety protocols and animal management procedures that meet or exceed AZA accreditation standards.
- Collaborate on Species Survival Plan (SSP) breeding recommendations acquisitions and dispositions in coordination with other accredited institutions.
- Participate in conservation and research initiatives that advance understanding and protection of endangered species.
- Assist in budget management resource planning and implementing cost-effective operational practices without compromising quality.
- Support education and outreach efforts by engaging with guests schools and community organizations to inspire connections with wildlife.
- Partner with facilities and design teams on habitat improvements and long-term collection planning.
People & Management
- Lead by example promoting a culture of collaboration accountability and inclusion within the team.
- Provide daily guidance and mentorship to animal care staff supporting professional development and performance growth.
- Communicate clearly and consistently across teams to align priorities share progress and resolve challenges.
- Manage schedules approve timecards coordinate time-off and maintain accurate documentation for assigned teams.
- Ensure budget and headcount adherence while identifying opportunities for operational efficiency.
What you bring...
- Ability to work a schedule:Sunday Thursday.
- Applied Animal Care Experience: At least 5 years of hands-on experience in animal welfare demonstrating adherence to professional and industry management standards.
- AZA Expertise: Knowledge of studbook processes animal husbandry and species-specific natural history ensuring the highest standards of care and contribution to conservation programs.
- Animal Management & Compliance: Experience with adherence to animal management guidelines including AZA standards animal exhibition and federal and state laws governing animal exhibition.
- Animal Enrichment & Welfare: Experience with animal enrichment training social management and familiarity with animal rights and welfare theory.
- Leadership & People Skills: Strong leadership grounded in empathy adaptability and integrity with a minimum of 3 years in a supervisory or leadership role guiding and developing animal care teams. Skilled in resource allocation conflict de-escalation and problem-solving in dynamic environments.
- Communication & Collaboration: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills across all levels of the organization fostering teamwork and collaboration.
- Strategic & Operational Mindset: Ability to plan ahead execute effectively and manage multiple priorities with detail-oriented organizational and time management skills.
- Safety & Compliance: Knowledge and ability to properly use personal protective equipment (PPE) and follow all safety protocols when working with animals chemicals equipment or habitats.
- Technical Proficiency: Proficiency in Microsoft 365 Suite (Outlook Excel PowerPoint Word) with a willingness to learn other systems such as Paycor Paycom PaperSave and Zims.
- Commitment to Mission & Culture: Personal qualities of integrity credibility and commitment to the mission with a strong dedication to diversity equity inclusion and fostering a positive workplace culture.
A Plus...
- Associates or Bachelors degree in Life Sciences or a related field
- Experience within an AZA facility zoo and/or aquarium with exotic resident animals.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Availability to accommodate a flexible schedule including extended hours holidays weekends and a willingness to share on-call duties.
- Availability to fulfill disaster-response duties and responsibilities including clean up.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Ability to lift carry and move objects weighing up to 50 pounds with or without accommodation.
- Ability to remainstanding/sitting for extended periods.
- Requires hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills for tasks such as grasping turning and manipulating objects of varying size and weight.
- Ability to walk bend kneel crouch crawl climb and reach.
- Requires visual acuity for reading writing andobservingsurroundings and auditory acuity for communication.
- Ability to operate motorized carts trucks and power tools.
WORK CONDITIONS
- Exposure to various weather conditions including extreme heat sunlight cold rain and wind.
- Potential exposure to allergens (dust animal dander pollen etc.) bloodborne pathogens zoonotic diseases and injuries from animals.
- Irregular work hours including evenings weekends and holidays are required.
- Exposure to hazards such wildlife waste equipment loud noises chemicals and heights.
- May require being on call for emergencies.
- Must be available to fulfill disaster-response duties as required.
- May Handle remote darting equipment or weapons.
We are an equal opportunity employer and comply with all applicable federal state and local employment regulations
EOE / DRUG FREE WORKPLACE
Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens are committed to providing equal employment opportunities. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this role. Candidates are encouraged to request accommodation if needed during the application interview or employment process.
Required Experience:
Manager
Key Skills
- Network Management
- Pest Control
- Developmental Disabilities Experience
- Employee Evaluation
- Hospitality Experience
- Direct Support
- Data Collection
- Materials Handling
- Maintenance
- Experience with Children
- Supervising Experience
- RF Scanner
About Company
Consider a career at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens where you can share your passion about the wonders of wildlife and plants with our community and guests. Join the innovative, award winning Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens family, ranked as a top twenty-five zoo in the USA by Trip Ad ... View more
