Animal Curator (Curator of Marine Mammals and Birds)

Based on our internal equity review process, the starting salary for this position will be $94,179.00 yearly.  The full yearly salary range for this position is $94,179.00  - $128,931.00. 

This position is intended to supervise the Rocky Shores/Tundra area which cares for walrus, sea lions, seals, sea otters, alcids, penguins, polar bears, and Arctic fox.

Work where you play!

Join our team at Metro Parks Tacoma to put your skills to use serving your community and making Tacoma a vibrant, healthy, and welcoming place to live.

Who We Are

Metro Parks Tacoma (MPT) is a CAPRA-accredited and AZA-accredited, independent park district that leads efforts to build a healthy, sustainable community. Located in Tacoma, Washington, Metro Parks’ mission is to create healthy opportunities to play, learn, and grow. The independent park district spans the city providing a wide range of life-enriching destinations and services, including 70+ parks, 80+ miles of trails, 1,000+ acres of urban forest, 66 playgrounds, four community centers, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, Point Defiance Park, and much more. Our work is guided by eight core values that are the foundation of our actions and goals: innovation, excellence, equity, inclusiveness, sustainability, accountability, safety, and fun.

Why You’ll Love it Here

Come work where you play! You will contribute to the overall vitality and well-being of your community when you work for Metro Parks Tacoma, and you’ll do so as part of a supportive team of committed, passionate, and mission-driven professionals. The people of Metro Parks are the key to its success, and you just might be the next great addition to our team. You’ll receive a competitive wage, along with an attractive benefits package, including medical, dental, retirement, vacation, holidays, and much more. On top of that, you’ll wake each day knowing that you’re helping make Tacoma a great place to call home.

Position Information

Under the direction of the General Curator, plan, organize and direct the operations of assigned zoological areas; supervise and evaluate the performance of assigned staff.

In the performance of their respective tasks and duties all employees are expected to:

• Perform quality work within deadlines with or without direct supervision.
• Interact professionally with other employees, customers and suppliers.
• Work effectively as a team contributor on all assignments.
• Work independently while understanding the necessity for communicating and coordinating work efforts with other employees and organizations.
• Observe applicable safety requirements, use safety equipment provided, implement appropriate safety practices at all times and report immediately any unsafe working conditions or hazards.
• Plan, organize and direct the operations of assigned zoological areas.
• Supervise assigned staff to include:  prioritizing and assigning work; conducting performance evaluations, ensuring staff receive training to enhance/augment job skills and provide opportunity for advancement; ensuring that employees follow policies and procedures and assure compliance with health and safety regulations; and making hiring, termination and disciplinary recommendations.
• Supervises daily operations, grounds, pools and buildings within assigned area of responsibility.
• Monitors the care of animals; establishes the composition of the collection within the assigned area; establishes husbandry standards which meet or exceed accrediting institution standards; oversee or maintain animal record systems; may perform some direct, hands-on animal care work; may participate in animal physicals and research projects.
• Monitors animal transactions within assigned area of responsibility to assure compliance with established policies and procedures.  Assure compliance with federal, state and local regulations regarding the acquisition, disposition, health and shipment of animal specimens.  Provide for the acquisition and disposition of animals in accordance to an approved collection plan for the area of responsibility.
• Develops the budget for assigned areas of responsibility; monitors budgetary expenditures and revenues; approves purchase orders.
• Attends and organizes meetings according to assigned duties.  Maintains contact with and participates in professional organizations, conservation programs, governmental and nongovernmental agencies, the public and other related/interested parties.
• Serve on assigned committees, including the Animal Wellbeing Committee.
• In collaboration with Marketing and Public Relations, develops marketing strategies, interpretive materials and other public relations items, including mailings and press releases.
• Participates in fund-raising efforts for PDZA.
• Plans and executes specials exhibits and/or programs in assigned area of responsibility, including collaboration with Conservation Engagement to develop messaging, graphics and interpretive programs.
• Under the direction of the general curator: plans, designs and executes animal research in accordance with PDZA mission and Animal Wellbeing Committee Guidelines.
• Performs other related duties of a comparable level/type as assigned.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in zoology, biology or related field required.  Graduate degree desired. 
• A minimum of 5 years of: work experience in a zoo or aquarium (preferably an AZA accredited facility) related to animal care and husbandry, resident animal population management, and research.  
• At least two of supervisory experience.
• Experience with  animal husbandry skills and best practices including: animal acquisition; animal transport; quarantine; animal health and clinical treatments; and life support systems required,
• Experience with  live animal exhibit design required.
• Experience in operant conditioning training method required.
• Experience with animal husbandry and training skills and best practices, particularly as they relate to marine mammals and birds, including: animal acquisition; animal transport; quarantine; animal health and clinical treatments; animal life support systems.  
• Demonstrated knowledge of live animal exhibit or close encounter area design. 
• Experience with operant conditioning training methods required

LICENSE & OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Valid Washington State driver's license. If out-of-state, the ability to obtain a valid Washington State driver’s license within the probation period.
• Ability to obtain valid first aid and CPR certification within probationary period.
• Must be willing to work evenings, nights, weekends and holidays, and to be on occasional 24-hour call to respond to emergencies.

ENVIRONMENT:

•  Office and outdoor, zoo-site environment.
•  Driving a vehicle to inspect project status and attend meetings.

 PHYSICAL ABILITIES (with reasonable accommodations):

•  Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard and other office equipment.
•  Sitting and standing for extended periods of time.
•  Walking to inspect project status.
•  Hearing and speaking to exchange information and make presentations.
•  Sight to read, prepare reports and inspect sites.
•  Lifting and carrying objects or animals weighing up to 50 pounds.
•  Ability to climb in and out of animal spaces and pools using a variety of methods.
•  Driving a vehicle.

 HAZARDS:

•  Contact with dissatisfied or abusive individuals.
•  Exposure to potentially dangerous and sick animals.
•  Chemicals, tranquilizers or drugs from medications.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Planning, organization and direction of a zoological facility.
• Local, state, federal, international and District laws, rules and regulations related to animal care and transport.
• Park District organization, operations, policies and objectives.
• AZA Animal, Conservation & Science Programs
• AZA standards and guidelines, including Animal Care Manuals
• USDA standards for maintaining a zoological collection, including water quality
• Exhibit design
• Veterinary, reproductive and disease aspects related to assigned activities.
• Principles of Operant Conditioning
• Principles and practices of administration, supervision and training.
• Applicable laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Budget process, preparation and controls.
• Basic financial management principles and practices
• Maintenance principles and operations related to a zoological park.
• Medical and biological terminology.
• Operation of a computer and applicable software applications.
• Modern office practices, procedures and equipment.
• Biology/physiology and behaviors of animals within the work area
• Where applicable, water quality and life support systems

ABILITY TO:

• Plan, organize and administer the operations of area of responsibility.
• Work collaboratively and plan strategically with other managers and departments to accomplish the strategic goals of PDZA’s mission and vision.
• Ensure proper care of park facilities, displays and animals.
• Read, interpret, apply and explain rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others.
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt effective course(s) of action.
• Prepare and deliver oral presentations.
• Prepare comprehensive narrative and statistical reports.
• Supervise and evaluate the performance of assigned staff; Leadership skills.
• Direct the maintenance of a variety of reports and files related to activities, personnel and operations.
• Interpret rules and regulations.
• Perform emergency first aid and CPR as needed and according to established guidelines.
• Communicate clearly verbally and in writing.
• Assess and evaluate situations effectively.
• Exert optimal effort in successfully completing tasks.
• Take initiative with minimal supervision.
• Extract and record data and carry out calculations/interpetations appropriately.
• Set up and operate equipment that can require selection from options or different settings.
• Manage time efficiently and effectively through scheduling and prioritizing.
• Work within and contribute to the effectiveness of a team, respecting differences.
• Report for work regularly and on time.
• A strong commitment to the principles of Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion.

 METRO PARKS TACOMA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation, disability or any other merit factor. Members of ethnic minorities, women, special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam-era, recently separated veterans, and other protected veterans, persons of disability and/or persons age 40 and over are encouraged to apply.

MPT employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

MPT is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource at hr@tacomaparks.com.

Employment is subject to a national background check.

This position is an at-will position with no written or implied contractual agreement.   

Experience Required

• Bachelor’s degree in zoology, biology or related field required. Graduate degree desired.
• A minimum of 5 years of: work experience in a zoo or aquarium (preferably an AZA accredited facility) related to animal care and husbandry, resident animal population management, and research.
• At least two of supervisory experience. Experience with animal husbandry skills and best practices including: animal acquisition; animal transport; quarantine; animal health and clinical treatments; and life support systems required, Experience with live animal exhibit design required.
• Experience in operant conditioning training method required.
• Experience with animal husbandry and training skills and best practices, particularly as they relate to marine mammals and birds, including: animal acquisition; animal transport; quarantine; animal health and clinical treatments; animal life support systems.
• Demonstrated knowledge of live animal exhibit or close encounter area design.
• Experience with operant conditioning training methods required LICENSE & OTHER REQUIREMENTS: Valid Washington State driver's license. If out-of-state, the ability to obtain a valid Washington State driver’s license within the probation period.
• Ability to obtain valid first aid and CPR certification within probationary period.
• Must be willing to work evenings, nights, weekends and holidays, and to be on occasional 24-hour call to respond to emergencies.