Associate Curator of Ambassador Animals

Dallas Zoo Management • Dallas, TX

272d

About The Position

The Dallas Zoo is seeking an innovative leader to join our Ambassador Animal Experiences team. The ambassador program has three unique sections directly responsible for the animal husbandry, care, training, and programming of the animals in its respective areas. The Animal Outreach team provides robust and diverse programming on and off-site in the greater Dallas Fort Worth metroplex. This team oversees a varied group of birds, mammals, and reptiles, including prehensile-tailed porcupines, flamingos, tamanduas, penguins, parrots, tortoises, and snakes, to name a few. The Wild Encounters team focuses on up-close encounters through structured presentations at our Wild Encounters stage. Featured animals include Gambian pouched rat, North American porcupine, opossum, southern tamandua, free-flighted black vulture, southern ground hornbill, snakes, lizards, and more! Finally, the Wildlife Show team gives formal, entertaining, scripted presentations on our dynamic stage, showcasing free-flighted birds such as hadada ibis, macaws, birds of prey, pigeons, and trumpeter hornbills. Other cast members include an African crowned crane, bald eagle, ravens, and our newest addition, a white stork. This is an exciting opportunity to join our team! The Ambassador Department is dedicated to advancing animal care through innovative, creative, and cutting-edge approaches to ambassador animal management. We are seeking a visionary candidate who can bring fresh perspectives and inventive solutions to enhance ambassador welfare through non-traditional housing, progressive training techniques, and engaging presentations. An ideal candidate will be deeply committed to modern, choice-based animal training methodologies and demonstrate a strong understanding of data-driven decision-making to inform programmatic advancements. As Associate Curator, this individual will lead the Managers of Ambassador Animal Experiences and a dedicated team of animal care professionals. Collaboration is key in this role, as it involves working across departments to develop and deliver ambassador-focused presentations, including special events and educational programming. This position plays a vital role in crafting dynamic guest experiences that bring the Dallas Zoo's mission—Engaging People & Saving Wildlife—to life, while driving our vision of Creating a Better World for Animals.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Education, Zoology, Biology, Animal Science, Psychology, or related field preferred.
• Extensive experience in wildlife husbandry and training, with an emphasis on utilizing operant conditioning and positive reinforcement required.
• With a degree, at least nine years of exotic animal care experience at an AZA accredited facility.
• Without a degree, eleven years of exotic animal care experience at an AZA accredited facility.
• Five years of AZA supervisory experience.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in a manager/supervisor capacity, preferably in an AZA accredited zoological park or aquarium.
• Excellent verbal, written, and problem-solving skills required.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to function in a creative team-oriented environment.
• Comfort with computer software: MS Word, Excel, Outlook, Power Point.
• Ability to represent the Zoo in a professional manner at all times.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in emergency situations.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision, must be self-directed.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with management, other employees & zoo guests.
• Must be able to walk, stand, sit, kneel, stoop, crawl, twist, reach above head, pull, bend, climb stairs and ladders and carry up to 50 lbs.
• Must be able to work holidays and weekends.
• Must be able to actively work outdoors in hot or inclement weather.
• Successful candidates must pass pre-employment drug screening, background check and TB test.
• Must have a valid driver's license to operate zoo vehicles and reliable transportation.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in education, interpretation, or customer service based field desired.
• Understanding of zoological parks and a strong appreciation for wildlife and the environment.

Responsibilities

• Direct operations for the Ambassador Animal Experiences.
• Provide vision, planning, and communication skills to enhance programming and manage resources.
• Ensure high standards for animal welfare and the safety of animals, staff, and guests.
• Evaluate Ambassador Animal programming on a regular basis to ensure appropriate messaging aligns with our interpretive presentation format.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for the animal health and nutrition departments.
• Hiring, training, scheduling and evaluating staff.
• Planning, preparing and monitoring budgets on a regular basis.
• Identify and prioritize budgetary requests, including capital improvements and major maintenance.
• Assist the Senior Curator of Behavior and Ambassadors with strategic planning objectives.
• Handling, training and presenting ambassador animals for programs as needed.
• Cooperatively develop and implement comprehensive collection plans for each section of the department.
• Coordinate and conduct research, and/or produce popular or scientific papers concerning biology and captive management of wild animals.
• Manage buildings, exhibits, holding areas and grounds of relevant areas.
• Represent the Dallas Zoo during programming including fundraising or various media events.
• Follow all safety protocols and serve as a member of Dallas Zoo's Emergency Response Team.
• Ensuring team members are compliant with all Dallas Zoo policies/procedures/training.
• Ensuring presentation areas, facilities and vehicles are safe and well-maintained.
• Ability to work weekend days and flexible hours as schedules dictate.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Cell phone stipend.
• PTO and sick time.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Industry: Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree