Assistant Curator

Job Description Summary

The hourly rate for this position is $17.67.

The Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo is a unique, 10- acre zoo in Gainesville, Florida, and is the only zoo on a college campus accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Home to over 70 different species of animal and maintained by SF students in the premier Zoo Animal Technology program, the zoo showcases a diverse collection that contains both native and exotic species for all to enjoy.

The Part-Time Assistant Curator is responsible for maintaining animal records, permits, and transactions reports, as well as tracking, ordering, and maintaining food supply, commissary supplies, equipment, and tools with the Full-Time Assistant Curator. In tandem with the General Zoo Curator and Assistant Curator peers, this position oversees the general operations of the SF Teaching Zoo, ensuring a safe and satisfactory experience for visitors and staff. This position is expected to provide functional supervision to ensure the highest standards of animal care and welfare, exhibitry, visitor satisfaction, and safety and also provides operational assistance and technical guidance to Zookeepers as required.

Job Description

Responsibilities and Duties Include:

• Under the guidance of the General Zoo Curator and in tandem with Assistant Curator peers, oversees daily operations to ensure the highest standards of animal care and welfare, exhibitry, visitor satisfaction, and safety is met; provides operational assistance and technical guidance to Zookeepers as required.

• Assists the General Zoo Curator and Assistant Curator with the animal collection by transporting animals to and from the UF Veterinary College, picking up medications, administering medications, and assisting in animal capture and restraint.  

• Assists the General Zoo Curator and Assistant Curator with animal collection planning, such as preparing and submitting applicable permits for animal acquisitions and dispositions and establishing care parameters for all species at the zoo.

• Assists in coordinating and monitoring domestic and international animal transactions to ensure legal compliance with local, state, federal, and international laws, as well as governmental regulations and industry standards.

• Collaborates with the General Zoo Curator, Assistant Curators, and Veterinarians to develop new animal diets and change existing diets based on specific needs.

• Maintains enrichment programs, approves novel enrichment, updates resources, and modifies processes when needed to align with industry standards.

• Enters animal data into the Zoo Information Management System (ZIMS) global database.

• Prepares requested institutional data for studbook reports, questionnaires, surveys, and Species Survival Plan updates.

• Orders, inventories, and tracks all expendable zoo supplies including grain, produce, meat, and insects.

• Assists in executing special zoo events, such as Boo at the Zoo, Party for the Planet, and more.

• Complies with all published College Rules, procedures, guidelines, and laws/regulations governing public employees, including but not limited to those related to document retention and destruction, FERPA, and confidentiality.

• Provides service excellence through courteous, informed, accessible, and professional engagement.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required: An associate degree in Zoo Animal Technology or a related field with two (2) years of experience and/or a combination of education and experience equal to four (4) years.

Preferred: Prior experience within an AZA accredited or certified facility. Knowledge of animal husbandry within all taxa, natural histories of animals, animal behavior, animal nutrition, zoonotic diseases, animal preventative medication, basic biological and psychological animal needs, and AZA standards and accreditations. Familiar with animal care and management software, ZIMS360.

Additional Requirements: A criminal background check will be conducted. Applicants must have a valid Florida Class E Operator (driver’s) license and be authorized to drive for the college.

General Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to work successfully in a multi-cultural environment.

• Adaptability to Change – able to be flexible and supportive, able to positively and proactively assimilate change in rapid growth environment.

• Communication – able to effectively communicate in a professional, diplomatic, empathetic, and tactful manner using preferred method and level as applicable to the job.

• Critical Thinking & Judgement - able to make well-reasoned, sensible, and timely decisions based on careful, objective review and informed analysis of available information, considerations, and other factors.

• Customer Service – ability to respond promptly and courteously to all questions from students and faculty, demonstrating patience and persistence when helping students with little or no computer skills.

• Ethics – able to demonstrate integrity, professionalism, civility, and a high degree of ethics in all job-related actions.

• Organization & Time Management – able to plan, schedule, and organize tasks related to the job to achieve goals within or ahead of established time frames.

• Problem Solving – proven skills in identifying issues, determining their cause, developing creative solutions, and following through with implementing resolutions.

• Relationship Management – able to personally provide high level of interactive service to others, building relationships and addressing identified needs.

• Results Orientation – proven ability to set and exceed established targets.

• Systems & Software - proficient level of knowledge of Microsoft Office and/or relevant position software programs.

• Detail Oriented - Proven accuracy and attention to detail.

• Multi-task - Ability to expeditiously organize, coordinate, manage, prioritize, and perform multiple tasks simultaneously to swiftly assess a situation, determine a logical course of action, and apply the appropriate response.

Application Process:  All applicants must submit a completed online SF application, a letter of intent, an up-to-date resume/curriculum vitae, and unofficial academic transcripts (if applicable) to be considered for this position. Unofficial transcripts are only accepted for review purposes, official transcripts are required prior to any offer of employment being made.

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement.

Santa Fe College (SF) is committed to maintaining a work and educational environment that embraces diversity and where no member of the college community is excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subject to discrimination in any college program or activity based on: their race, ethnicity, national origin, color, religion, age, disability, sex, pregnancy status, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, genetic information, political opinions or affiliations, or veteran status. This commitment applies to employees, volunteers, students, and, to the extent possible, to third parties, applicants for admission, applicants for employment, and the general public. sfcollege.edu/eaeo

Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies or concerns about discrimination or harassment, including concerns about sexual harassment or sexual violence under Title IX, should be directed to: [email protected]

Santa Fe College reserves the right to extend deadlines and/or not to offer advertised positions. Preference will be given to eligible veterans and spouses of veterans.