Zoo Curator

Compensation

$71177.00 Annual

Job Description Summary

The application deadline for this position is 11:59pm EST on February 26 2026.

The Santa Fe College (SF) Teaching Zoo is a unique 10- acre zoo in Gainesville Florida and is the only zoo on a college campus accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Home to over 70 different species of animal and maintained by SF students in the premier Zoo Animal Technology program the zoo showcases a diverse collection that contains both native and exotic species for all to enjoy.

The Zoo Curator provides critical leadership for the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo in partnership with the Director and with specific responsibilities for animals and facilities. The Zoo Curator ensures that the animal collection is provided with the best possible care through the implementation of high wellbeing standards enclosure design the safe acquisition and disposition of animals consistent coordination with veterinarians and facilitation of training for Zookeeper staff on how to provide for the collections addition to these responsibilities the Zoo Curator will also oversee the upkeep of the entire zoo facility including public areas Zookeeper areas and animal habitats and will serve as the point of contact for all scientific research conducted at the SF Teaching Zoo. The Zoo Curator will provide support and perspective to the Director in strategic planning goal setting and goal attainment and will also act on behalf of the Director as needed including but not limited to meeting with donors community members tour groups and as a representative on the colleges Emergency Management Team. The Zoo Curator also provides direct supervision to the Assistant Curators and part-time workers including ZAT students. Additionally this position may work weekends holidays events or during college closures.

Job Description

Responsibilities and Duties Include:

• Evaluates and monitors the SF Teaching Zoos animal collection daily and functions as the primary contact for all animal projects and animal wellbeing reports.

• Develops maintains and monitors systems to evaluate animal wellbeing.

• Collaborates with the Director and zoo staff to develop and update the SF Teaching Zoos institutional collection plan facility strategic plan and master plan.

• Serves as a liaison with veterinarians and manages the health of the animal collection by monitoring medication tracking treatment plans and coordinating transportation of animals to the UF Veterinary Clinic.

• Develops and fulfills animal quarantine procedures and protocols with neonatal and geriatric care in mind.

• Provides leadership and supervision to Assistant Curators part-time and student staff including hiring training scheduling performance management and professional development.

• Mentors and guides ZAT students as they work and provides constructive feedback on their performance.

• Assists in the instruction of ZAT students on all aspects of exhibition construction including tool usage materials construction and exhibit furnishing.

• Collaborates with zoo faculty to develop update distribute and implement animal procedures.

• Maintains a working relationship with AZA managers to keep them informed on species availability and animal wellbeing developments and fulfills their management recommendations for animal breeding and transfers.

• Collaborates with zoo staff and internal departments to construct animal habitats and enclosures that maintains compliance with governing agencies and follows best practices.

• Maintains relationships with all regulatory agencies and ensures that the zoo is compliant with their standards and permits.

• Ensures the safety and security of the zoo by maintaining the public areas Zookeeper areas and animal habitats.

• Manages all scientific research at the zoo chairs the research committee and evaluates all research proposals.

• Maintains awareness of evolving AZA facility and animal standards industry initiatives and best practices ensuring programs meet or exceed accreditation expectations.

• Acts on behalf of the Director in their absence and as needed including at media events meetings with donors community members and tour groups and as a representative on the colleges Emergency Management team.

• Represents the zoo at various internal and external committees meetings and community events.

• Provides support for zoo-wide operations special projects and cross-departmental initiatives as a staff member of the zoo.

• Provides service to the college through participation in events committees and other college activities.

• Complies with all published College Rules procedures guidelines and laws/regulations governing public employees including but not limited to those related to document retention and destruction FERPA and confidentiality.

• Strictly honors the privacy security and confidentiality of records and other sensitive information according to appropriate state federal and college regulations policies and procedures.

• Provides service excellence through courteous informed accessible and professional engagement.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required: An associate degree in Zoo Animal Technology biology animal behavior animal management veterinary sciences or a closely related field with six (6) years of experience in a zoo aquarium wildlife park conservation facility or a professionally recognized facility with exotic animals under human care. A combination of related education and/or experience equal to eight (8) years will be considered. Experience must include leadership or mentorship responsibilities.

Additional Requirements: AZA Membership. A criminal background check will be conducted. Must possess a valid Florida Class E Operator (drivers) license and be authorized to drive for the college.

Preferred: Contributions to AZA committees programs classes or activities. Skilled in carpentry and landscaping. Familiar with animal care management software ZIMS360. Demonstrated knowledge of animal husbandry within all taxa natural histories of animals animal behavior animal nutrition zoonotic diseases animal preventative medication basic biological and psychological animal needs and AZA standards and accreditations.

General Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Ability to work successfully in a multi-cultural environment.

• Adaptability to Change able to be flexible and supportive able to positively and proactively assimilate change in rapid growth environment.

• Analytical Aptitude & Problem Solving - able to analyze information problems situations practices and/or procedures collect and interpret data reason logically establish facts identify and define existing and potential issues recognize the interrelationships among elements draw valid conclusions develop recommendations as well as alternative courses of action select appropriate course follow up and evaluate.

• Communication able to effectively communicate in a professional diplomatic empathetic and tactful manner using preferred method and level as applicable to the job.

• Critical Thinking & Judgement - able to make well-reasoned sensible and timely decisions based on careful objective review and informed analysis of available information considerations and other factors.

• Customer Service ability to respond promptly and courteously to all questions from students and faculty demonstrating patience and persistence when helping students with little or no computer skills.

• Ethics able to demonstrate integrity professionalism civility and a high degree of ethics in all job-related actions.

• Leadership has demonstrated success as an entrepreneurial high energy driven hands-on leader. Possess expertise in selecting training developing coaching mentoring and retaining a highly motivated workforce.

• Organization & Time Management able to plan schedule and organize tasks related to the job to achieve goals within or ahead of established time frames.

• Problem Solving proven skills in identifying issues determining their cause developing creative solutions and following through with implementing resolutions.

• Team Orientation & Interpersonal highly motivated team-player with ability to develop and maintain collaborative relationships with all levels within and external to the organization.

• Relationship Management able to personally provide high level of interactive service to others building relationships and addressing identified needs.

• Results Orientation proven ability to set and exceed established targets.

• Systems & Software - proficient level of knowledge of Microsoft Office and/or relevant position software programs.

• Detail Oriented - Proven accuracy and attention to detail.

• Multi-task - Ability to expeditiously organize coordinate manage prioritize and perform multiple tasks simultaneously to swiftly assess a situation determine a logical course of action and apply the appropriate response.

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS) please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled suspended or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement.

Santa Fe College (SF) is committed to maintaining a work and educational environment that embraces diversity and where no member of the college community is excluded from participation in denied the benefits of or subject to discrimination in any college program or activity based on: their race ethnicity national origin color religion age disability sex pregnancy status gender identity sexual orientation marital status genetic information political opinions or affiliations or veteran status. This commitment applies to employees volunteers students and to the extent possible to third parties applicants for admission applicants for employment and the general public. regarding non-discrimination policies or concerns about discrimination or harassment including concerns about sexual harassment or sexual violence under Title IX should be directed to:

Santa Fe College reserves the right to extend deadlines and/or not to offer advertised positions. Preference will be given to eligible veterans and spouses of veterans.