Curator of Mammals and Birds

The Downtown Aquarium in Denver is looking for a fun, flexible Curator who wants to work in a fast paced, unique, and dynamic environment. This person will be a trainer, keeper, educator, customer service specialist, leader, innovator, mentor, and project manager.

Our department sets goals to expand their knowledge and build relationships throughout the building and to be innovators when it comes to animal training, care, enrichment, and welfare standards. We also strive to continually improve ourselves to so we can provide the best possibly care to our collection and to create mind blowing experiences for our guests.

Manage the living birds and mammal collection over-all husbandry, their exhibits, life support systems and associated programs. Responsible for all bird and mammal acquisitions. Supervise staff.  Manage policies and procedures within mammal and bird sections

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Supervision of Personnel

• Encourage an atmosphere of professionalism among the staff.
• Manage and schedule the daily activities within the aquarist section.
• Work to ensure staff “ownership” of their prospective exhibits. 
• Supervise aquarium personnel in mammal and bird areas.
• Supervise aquarium personnel in all areas in absence of other Curator.
• Oversee staff schedules and department projects and monitor work.
• Prepare and conduct employee performance evaluations for departmental staff.
• Work with General Curator to manage all staff as needed.
• Recruit and oversee training of keeper staff.
• Supervise and train education staff for animal handling programs.
• Set an example for the staff by reporting to work in a timely manner and maintaining a clean, professional appearance.

Communications

• Attend development and planning meetings including staff and problem-solving meetings.
• Write reports and memos and serve as liaison to other departments on husbandry matters.
• Perform public relations functions associated with the department as requested.
• At the direction of the General Curator or Director of Animal Operations serve as Aquarium representative to professional agencies, institutions and various committees including: aquarium operations, exhibits, Animal Management Committee, research and safety.
• Attend professional meetings and conferences.
• Communicate regularly with professional colleagues at other institutions.
• Keep the General Curator and General Manager informed of department operations.
• Promote good relations with visitors, community and staff.

Department Management

• Work with Veterinarians to ensure the best possible health and well being of the animal collection.
• Monitor any animal related record keeping system for medical concerns, behavior, enrichment and general activity. 
• Work with General Curator to determine needs of the exhibit and staff.
• Supervise/oversee approved research projects (as directed).
• Work with General Curator to plan and implement long and short-term goals for area.
• Work with General Curator to implement projects within the department.
• Coordinate purchases of food, supplies, and equipment and maintain inventories.
• Maintain knowledge of industry innovations and new techniques.
• Acquire and dispose of collection specimens in accordance with the Acquisition/Disposition Policy.
• Coordinate paperwork for General Curator to acquire International, Federal, State and Local permits for specimen acquisition/disposition.  
• Oversee/meet all related permit requirements.
• Work with the Director of Animal Operations and General Curator to manage technical and scientific functions of research programs, including in-house research, husbandry research, breeding research and behavioral research.
• Work with the Education Department to support and develop programs.
• Work with General Curator to develop and review graphics, technical works and publications.
• Work with General Curator to develop and administer exhibit operation budgets.
• Provide advice and recommendations on technical and design aspects of long range development that incorporates animal life in mammal /bird department.
• Oversee all aspects of safety within the area.
• Work with General Curator/Director of Animal Operations to review, develop and enforce department policies and procedures.

Professional Animal Care

• Day to Day management; schedule staff, animal care, training, husbandry, and exhibit maintenance. 
• Plan (for review) and direct acquisition, display, care and breeding of the animal collection. 
• Identify animal health problems and coordinate care and treatment with veterinarian and General Curator.
• Oversee all animal necropsies. 
• Train, supervise and evaluate all keeper staff.
• Nutritional maintenance.
• Responsible for staff development.
• Ensure coordination and communication with all mammal and bird staff.
• Coordination and communication with other department heads.
• Work with the education department on the development of educational presentations.
• Develop and monitor record keeping system for medical concerns, behavior, enrichment and activity.
• Ensure coordination and communication with all mammal and bird staff
• Coordination and communication between all departments
• Work with the education department on the development of educational presentations.
• Communication with animal and training field in general
• Perform duties of Assistant Curator, Trainer I, II, III as needed

Facility Maintenance

• Constantly improve animal exhibits.
• Coordinate with facility support departments for the maintenance and operations of life support systems and equipment.
• Work with General Curator to determine performance parameters of life support systems.
• Work with General Curator or Director of Animal Operations to develop policies and procedures for all aspects of water quality and management of exhibits water systems.

Related Strengths

• Ability to cooperate with other department managers to maintain exhibits and collection in a manner stimulating to the guests.
• Be knowledgeable in the life histories of animals in the collection.

Position Requirements

• ·Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Zoology or related field with relevant course work.  
• Complete knowledge of all phases of animal husbandry programs, systems design, physical life support operations, and exhibit design and display techniques. 
• Minimum of five years experience in animal husbandry with a minimum of three years supervisory experience. 
• Thorough knowledge of the principles of zoology and biology.
• S.C.U.B.A. training (preferred). 
• Current member of professional organizations (i.e., AZA, ZAA).
• Must be organized and self-motivating, with an eagerness to complete all projects. 
• Must be willing to participate in public education and interaction. 
• Must be prepared to work odd or unscheduled hours. 
• Must represent Landry’s Restaurants, Inc. in a professional manner with all guests

Working Conditions

• Subject to the possibility of bites and stings.
• Heavy lifting (50 pounds or more)
• Walking and working within a wet environment. 
• Working with dangerous carnivores.
• Outdoor work on occasion, under a variety of conditions: cold weather, hot weather, rain, mud, and dry land.
• Available both emergency and non-emergency situations.  On call 24 hours a day.