Assistant Curator, Mammals (Supervisor, Primate Forest)

Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens • Jacksonville, FL

10d • Onsite

About The Position

Lead with Purpose. Shape Animal Care Excellence. Are you passionate about primates and animal care leadership? Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens is seeking a forward-thinking, experienced Assistant Curator to lead animal care operations for a diverse, multi-taxa collection. This role is ideal for a collaborative leader who blends hands-on animal care expertise with team development, safety leadership, and strategic thinking. The position supports the Primate Forest that includes bonobos, gorillas, mandrills, colobus monkeys, and a variety of lemur species . As an integral member of our leadership team, you will guide animal care staff, direct husbandry procedures, and support enrichment, welfare, and conservation initiatives for our primate collection. This is a unique opportunity to lead with impact, grow your career in zoological management, and inspire meaningful connections to wildlife among our guests. This is a hands-on leadership role for a motivated professional ready to expand their management experience within a collaborative, mission-driven environment. You will 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. We value safety, inclusion, and innovation. You will work alongside dedicated professionals who care deeply about the animals they serve and the teams they support. Together, we are building a future where collaboration fuels growth, technology enhances care, and conservation guides every decision. Help us fulfill our mission: “Connecting our communities to wildlife and wild places.” Success in this role is defined by how effectively you demonstrate the core competencies in action.

Requirements

• Ability to work a schedule of Sunday–Thursday or as operational needs require.
• Professional Experience: 5 years of professional animal care experience in a zoo, aquarium, or wildlife setting, preferably across a multi-taxa collection, with progressive responsibility in husbandry, enrichment, social management, and participation in AZA programs or conservation initiatives.
• 2+ years of supervisory or team leadership experience , including mentoring, staff development, scheduling, and performance management.
• Demonstrated experience working safely with moderate-risk and/or safety-sensitive species, with the ability to assess hazards and respond calmly in high-pressure or emergency situations.
• Experience collaborating with veterinary, behavior, and welfare teams on social introductions, transfers, medical procedures, or habitat access coordination.
• Proven ability to adhere to institutional safety, biosecurity, and emergency protocols while working with species.
• Proficient knowledge of species-specific husbandry, enrichment, and behavioral management techniques.
• Experience maintaining compliance with USDA, FWC, OSHA, AZA, and institutional standards, including safety, biosecurity, and established animal care protocols.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office 365 and willing to learn new systems (e.g., Paycom, Paycor, PaperSave).
• Proficient using ZIMS or comparable animal records systems.
• A combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Candidates without a formal degree may qualify through extensive, progressively responsible experience in animal care and staff leadership.
• Pre-Employment Requirements : Candidates selected for this position must successfully complete all pre-employment screenings prior to their start date. Compliance with these requirements is mandatory to ensure the safety of staff, animals, and visitors. These include: Verification of professional references. Employment history verification. Criminal background check. 5-panel drug test Non-DOT physical examination Proof of a current negative tuberculosis (TB) test. Documentation of required vaccinations, including rabies vaccination or titer.

Nice To Haves

• Education : Associate’s or Bachelor's degree in Zoology, Biology, Animal Behavior, Conservation Science, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience demonstrating progressive responsibility in animal care.
• 8+ years of experience overseeing or supporting team operations for socially complex primate species , including behavioral observation, social group management, enrichment implementation, and risk mitigation in protected- or restricted-contact environments.
• Fine-motor handling & close-contact skills : safely working in proximity to primates during feeding, enrichment, and medical care.
• Advanced social and cognitive awareness: interpreting subtle behavioral cues, hierarchies, and social network dynamics.
• Behavioral enrichment & training : applying operant conditioning and positive reinforcement for husbandry and veterinary procedures.
• Medical collaboration : supporting veterinary and behavioral staff in direct, hands-on care and behavioral health monitoring.
• Observation & record-keeping : detailed behavioral tracking and cognitive assessment for individual and group management.
• At least 3+ years in a formal supervisory or team-lead capacity , overseeing staff performance, operational safety, and area workflows.
• Experience managing budgets, resources, schedules, or operational projects.
• Demonstrated leadership and professional involvement, including mentoring and developing staff, supporting volunteers or interns, and participating in SSPs, TAGs, MAPs, or studbook programs.

Responsibilities

• Animal & Wellbeing Management Oversee the daily care and welfare of moderate-risk and/or safety-sensitive diverse species, ensuring exceptional husbandry, enrichment, behavioral health, and social management. Partner with Veterinary Services to monitor health, implement medical protocols, and optimize animal wellbeing.
• Behavioral & Risk Management Implement and enforce safety, biosecurity, and emergency response protocols for both staff and animals. Lead behavioral management programs to reduce stress and risk, ensuring species-appropriate training and enrichment strategies.
• People Leadership & Performance Management Lead, mentor, and develop animal care staff, volunteers, and interns, fostering a high-performing, collaborative, and inclusive team. Support recruitment, onboarding, training, and ongoing performance evaluation to promote professional growth.
• Communication & Influence Collaborate across departments, providing clear updates and guidance to staff, veterinary teams, and operations personnel. Represent the organization professionally during guest interactions, educational talks, tours, and community engagement activities.
• Safety, Compliance & Decision-Making Ensure strict adherence to institutional and regulatory standards, including documentation, reporting, and accreditation requirements. Exercise sound judgment in high-pressure or emergency situations, making decisions that prioritize safety, welfare, and operational continuity.
• Strategic Thinking & Organizational Impact Participate in programs, Taxon Advisory Groups (TAGS), Species Survival Plan (SSPs), studbooks, and Managed Animal Plans (MAP). Contribute to long-term collection planning, operational improvements, and conservation priorities, aligning daily work with organizational goals and sustainability.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree