The Dallas Zoo is seeking a leader to join our Animal Ambassador Experiences team. The ambassador program has three unique sections directly responsible for the animal husbandry, care, training, and programming of the animals in its respective areas. The Animal Outreach team provides robust and diverse programming on and off-site in the greater Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. This team oversees a varied group of birds, mammals, and reptiles, including prehensile-tailed porcupines, flamingos, tamanduas, penguins, parrots, tortoises, and snakes, to name a few.

The Wild Encounters team focuses on up-close encounters through structured presentations at our Wild Encounters stage. Featured animals include Gambian pouch rat, North American porcupine, opossum, southern tamandua, free-flighted black vulture, southern ground hornbill, snakes, lizards, and more!

Finally, the Wildlife Show team gives formal, entertaining, scripted presentations on our dynamic stage, showcasing free-flighted birds such as hadada ibis, macaws, birds of prey, pigeons, and trumpeter hornbills. Other cast members include an African crowned crane, bald eagle, ravens, and our newest addition, a white stork. While this position will focus on our Outreach area, it will also be cross-trained to support all ambassador sections.

This position is responsible for collaborating with the Managers of Ambassador Animal Experiences to lead the Ambassador Animal team, covering daily routines as assigned and providing exceptional care to the species housed in Ambassador Animal areas. This includes the care, training, and presentation of ambassador animals. The Assistant Manager assists in the daily operation of the department, management of animal husbandry programs, and maintenance of associated facilities and vehicles. In the Manager's absence, the Assistant Manager will serve as the primary contact and liaison for their assigned section and provide leadership to the team. This position will deliver dynamic guest experiences daily that convey the Dallas Zoo's mission of Engaging People & Saving Wildlife and vision of Creating a Better World for Animals.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Organize and coordinate assigned section’s daily activities, overseeing animal care staff in all areas and delegating tasks per Curatorial team’s direction

• Lead by example: maintain familiarity with all aspects of husbandry routines, assisting if needed

• Assist in the hiring of, then train, animal care staff in all aspects of husbandry: diet preparation, feeding, cleaning, and maintenance of exhibits

• Assist in the implementation of protocols and operating procedures to maintain high levels of sanitation, animal care, and safety

• Observe and monitor animals regularly for health and behavioral issues

• Assist with veterinary treatments and procedures, reporting relevant animal health situations to veterinarians and curator

• Oversee animal propagation, sharing expertise with staff, ensuring that facilities and staff are well prepared prior to relevant breeding events

• Coordinate safe animal capture and restraint, as well as transfer within the zoo, in compliance with professional industry standards

• Coordinate, perform, and train staff for safe handling, restraint, and translocation of animals within assigned work section, potentially including dangerous and/or venomous species

• Communicate thoroughly and efficiently and ensure accuracy of records in all areas of responsibility

• Actively manage and participate in operant conditioning and environmental enrichment programs for animals within the section

• Ensure exhibits meet high standards of animal welfare and aesthetics: prioritize exhibit enhancement projects, participate in renovations, and demonstrate effective exhibit maintenance strategies

• Follow all safety protocols, understanding the Assistant Zoological Manager’s role in emergency procedures, and serving as a member of Dallas Zoo’s Emergency Response Team

• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree in biology, animal science, or a related field is preferred, but not required

• Must have knowledge of animal husbandry, with at least seven years preferred of exotic animal care experience at an AZA-accredited facility (ideally with Primates/Carnivores)

• Must be solution-oriented, finding creative solutions for complex challenges

• Demonstrated interest and expertise in management and reproduction of diverse species

• Comprehensive knowledge of reproduction, as well as neonate care

• Comprehensive knowledge of behavioral management, including operant conditioning philosophy, techniques, and terminology, as well as benefits and goals of environmental enrichment

• Ability to remain aware and alert while working around potentially dangerous animals at all times

• Incumbent should have broad interests in research, behavior, and conservation

• Excellent facilitation and communication skills, both oral and written

• Comfort with computer software: MS Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint

• Ability to represent the Zoo in a professional manner at all times

• Ability to exercise sound judgment in emergency situations and to respond with appropriate action

• Ability to work with minimal supervision; must be self-directed

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with management, other employees, and zoo guests

• Must be able to walk, stand, sit, kneel, stoop, crawl, twist, reach above head, pull, bend, climb stairs and ladders, and carry up to 50 lbs

• Must be able to work holidays and weekends

• Must be able to actively work outdoors in hot or inclement weather

• Successful candidates must pass pre-employment drug screening, background check, and TB test

• Must have a valid driver’s license to operate zoo vehicles and reliable transportation

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by personnel assigned to this job and are not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties to be assigned.