Assistant Curator, Pinnipeds

Overview

Inspire Teams. Advance Animal Wellbeing. Create Extraordinary Guest Experiences.

As the Assistant Curator, Pinnipeds, you will be a key leader within the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium's Wild Encounters team, helping oversee the care and management of our pinniped collection while developing staff, promoting animal wellbeing, supporting conservation initiatives, and delivering memorable guest experiences. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced marine mammal professional to make a lasting impact on animals, people, and wildlife conservation.

Responsibilities

Supports the Curator of Wild Encounters and Zoo leadership in daily area operations, including scheduling, staff coordination, training, evaluations, mentoring, and adherence to safety protocols. Assists with implementing area-specific procedures, projects, and animal wellbeing best practices in alignment with professional standards. Under the Curator's guidance, contributes to protocol development, collection planning, and external professional associations. Leads staff in animal training and the delivery of educational and engaging guest experiences.

Essential Duties:

Animal Care, Wellbeing & Collection Management

• Supervise the daily care, husbandry, training, enrichment, nutrition, and overall management of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium pinniped collection.
• Assist the Curator of Wild Encounters with policies and protocols related to animal health, disease diagnosis and treatment, husbandry practices, nutrition, enrichment, and overall animal wellbeing.
• Support oversight of the pinniped training program, including animal training goals and staff management.
• Supervise food preparation procedures, including storage, thawing, processing of daily diets, and facility cleanliness.
• Continually evaluate animal target weights and diets and provide updates to the Curator of Wild Encounters.
• Manage animal diets under the direction of the Curator of Wild Encounters, Director of Animal Nutrition, and Zoo veterinarians, including oversight of staff administration of prescribed medications.
• Assist with animal transports, restraint techniques, and animal acquisitions and dispositions.
• Initiate wellbeing assessments and ensure appropriate follow-up actions are implemented.
• Oversee or delegate planning and coordination of veterinary procedures.

Leadership, Staff Supervision & Operations

• Support the Curator of Wild Encounters and Zoo leadership in daily area operations, including scheduling, staff coordination, training, evaluations, mentoring, adherence to safety protocols, and personnel matters.
• Supervise staff in daily operations, including assigning work, providing written and verbal instruction, hiring, scheduling, performance management, staff development, and disciplinary actions.
• Supervise staff development and training and implement standardized staff and collection training programs.
• Hold weekly regional staff meetings and attend required Zoo-wide meetings.
• Perform staff duties and related operational tasks within the region as needed.
• Create and review regional risk assessments.
• Input and submit facility work orders.
• Assist with preparation and execution of the region's budget.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Guest Experience, Education & Professional Representation

• Lead staff in animal training and the delivery of educational and engaging guest experiences.
• Oversee staffing and implementation of programs, including hosting, training, and poolside interaction during presentations and performances.
• Lead on-grounds programs, guided tours, and stage presentations.
• Communicate marine mammal, conservation, and exotic animal topics accurately and professionally to guests, staff, and stakeholders.
• Support development of educational graphics, conservation initiatives, research efforts, and visitor amenities and services.
• Represent the Columbus Zoo Family of Parks nationally and internationally, as requested.
• Submit articles to zoo-related publications.
• Promote and support the mission, values, and sustainable practices of the Columbus Zoo Family of Parks.

Compliance, Accreditation & Strategic Planning

• Ensure compliance with Zoo safety policies, procedures, and standard operating practices.
• Ensure area compliance with professional standards established by AZA, AMMPA, and ZAA.
• Assist with development of area-specific protocols, procedures, projects, and animal wellbeing best practices aligned with professional standards.
• Under the Curator's guidance, contribute to protocol development, collection planning, and professional engagement.
• Support development of short- and long-term goals for the animal collection, exhibits, educational opportunities, conservation initiatives, visitor amenities, and services.
• Support planning and implementation of improvements related to animal care, exhibits, signage, horticulture/landscaping, and visitor satisfaction.
• Manage, coordinate, and ensure compliance with USDA, AZA, AMMPA, and ZAA inspections, accreditation, and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences or a related field required; equivalent experience may be substituted for a degree.
• Ten (10) years of marine mammal experience, including extensive experience in pinniped care, husbandry, and management, preferred.
• Experience leading and managing a work team; minimum one year preferred.
• Experience interpreting and implementing professional standards; minimum one year required.

Leadership & Communication

• Demonstrated ability to successfully lead, develop, train, and mentor staff.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Exceptional public speaking and presentation skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams and build effective working relationships.
• Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize work independently and efficiently.

Technical Knowledge & Professional Standards

• Demonstrated knowledge of animal care, wellbeing, conservation, and husbandry practices.
• Knowledge of and experience with professional standards and accreditation requirements related to AZA, ZAA, and AMMPA preferred.
• Ability to ensure compliance with accreditation and regulatory standards.
• Ability to evaluate, adapt, and implement process improvements.
• Ability to adhere to and model organizational values, policies, procedures, and safety standards.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to provide exceptional guest service and positive guest interactions.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime, and on-call responsibilities as needed.
• Valid state-issued driver's license with an acceptable driving record required.
• Negative TB screening prior to employment and annually thereafter required.
• Ability to comply with the Columbus Zoo Family of Parks' drug-free workplace policy.
• Ability to successfully complete annual criminal background screenings.