Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium is seeking a Supervisor of Cats & Bears to oversee staff management, animal behavior and wellbeing, and maintenance of the buildings and grounds associated with the Cats & Bears areas of African Grasslands and Asian Highlands. This position is responsible for the daily operations of assigned areas, ensuring completion of records, promoting area safety, monitoring pest control, and communicating effectively with staff. The Supervisor will provide team leadership and help foster an understanding of Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium’s mission to inspire, educate, and engage people to serve as lifelong stewards for animals, their habitats, and their conservation, while creating a feeling of purpose for the members of the team. This position reports directly to the Curator of Large Mammals.
Duties and Responsibilities/Essential Functions (include but not limited to):
- Oversee felid and bear species with a strong emphasis on species welfare, individual whole-life husbandry, and breeding introductions. Muntjac and red panda are also under the department’s purview.
- Ensure adherence to animal husbandry and welfare protocols and regulations according to Omaha Zoological Society (OZS), AZA, and USDA/APHIS standards.
- Oversee all functions of the Cats & Bears areas, including life support systems, water quality, animal enclosures/habitats, and overall building/grounds maintenance.
- Develop, implement, and evaluate departmental environmental enrichment programs, operant training program, and animal welfare assessments.
- Maintain records including ZIMS animal records, daily reports, enrichment logs, training logs, welfare assessments, and other required SOPs.
- Monitor Animal Keeper performance, including conducting annual performance reviews, supporting employee development and engagement, and issuing corrective action when necessary.
- Foster an environment that encourages employee learning, development, and team collaboration.
- Coordinate and oversee interns, volunteers, and student shadows, including providing tours and talks.
- Collaborate and communicate effectively with other departmental curators and cross-functional departments including Building Engineering, Education, Horticulture, Marketing, Animal Health, and other areas.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Excellent communication and organizational skills, with strong attention to detail and the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks.
- Proficiency in animal husbandry, operant conditioning, enrichment and welfare practices, and animal handling techniques, with the ability to coach and develop staff in these areas.
- Knowledge of a safe working environment for animals, employees, and guests.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively, and to delegate tasks appropriately.
- Excellent communication skills and public speaking experience required.
- Creative, proactive and self-motivated approach to leadership and problem-solving.
- Strong time management and supervision skills for managing staff and volunteers.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively, as well as knowing when to delegate tasks.
- Expected to have or develop the appropriate level of knowledge of natural history and zoo-based wildlife management of mammals - especially felids, bears, small mammals, and hoofstock - to ensure optimal physical and psychological animal well-being.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
Directly supervise:
- 4 full-time staff
- 1 seasonal
Leadership Expectations:
All leaders at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium are expected to:
- Foster connection, trust, and transparency by leading with honesty, consistency, and inclusion. Leaders who embody these principles build a sense of community – creating an environment where team members feel seen, valued and united in purpose. This foundation enables teams to thrive and share in the joy of working together toward common goals.
- Maintain two-way communication by regularly connecting with team members and encouraging dialogue. Open communication fuels innovation by ensuring all voices are heard and ideas are shared, driving our collective impact.
- Create space for feedback – both giving and receiving – and follow up meaningfully. By valuing feedback, we promote an environment of care, where growth and improvement are supported, leading to impactful outcomes for both individuals and teams.
- Model accountability and responsiveness by owning outcomes and addressing issues timely.
- This demonstrates care for the team’s well-being and ensures that our actions have a meaningful, positive impact on the organization.
- Promote psychological safety by supporting open expression without fear of retaliation or judgment.
- A psychologically safe environment is fundamental to fostering joy in the workplace and enables everyone to contribute to our collective success with confidence.
Education and Experience:
- Must be at least 18 years of age.
- Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Animal Science, Behavior or related field is preferred.
- Minimum of 4 years of experience in an AZA-accredited institution or related organization.
- Proven knowledge of basic animal training techniques, theory, and application. Internal candidates should have completed, or be working towards completing the Animal Trainer Materials and Objectives outlined in the professional development program for Animal Care staff.
- Internal candidates should have completed ICS 100 and 700.
- Animal husbandry experience in a zoological setting is required.
- Experience with operant conditioning and enrichment programs is required.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively, as well as knowing when to delegate tasks.
- Work Environment/Physical Demands:
- Will sometimes work extended/odd hours including weekends, holidays and some night programs.
- Must be able to travel long distances across the zoo on foot and on motor vehicles.
- Must be able to stand for long periods of time.
- Must be able to sit, kneel, bend, twist, stoop, crawl, reach above head and climb.
- Will lift, push, pull, and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally up to 80 pounds using safe and proper lifting methods.
- Must be able to be on call as necessary.
Travel Required:
- Some travel may occur.
DISCLAIMER
- The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification.
- It is not designed to contain, nor is it to be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and objectives required of employees assigned to this job.
- Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer as defined by the EEOC.
Salary
- Starts at $60,560/year
