Assistant Curator- BioPark

Assistant Curator- BioPark

Salary

$57,449.60 - $60,507.20 Annually

Location

Albuquerque, NM

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

2601155

Department

Arts and Culture

Division

CS-BP Animal Ops

Opening Date

07/13/2026

Closing Date

7/27/2026 11:59 PM Mountain

Bargaining Unit

MP

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Position Summary

The Assistant Curator role is a dynamic leadership position at the ABQ BioPark Zoo. This role oversees a variety of animal care staff and will demonstrate hands-on leadership within the hoofstock department. This Assistant Curator position will work with rhinos, giraffes, warthogs, and hippos and plays a key role in meeting and exceeding the BioPark's animal welfare goals.

Supervise, plan and coordinate staff engaged in a variety of ABQ BioPark services, activities and operations with the focus on providing highly responsible care and husbandry of the BioParks diverse living collection. This includes the maintenance of exhibits and facilities. Assignment will be in one of the BioPark facilities: Zoo (exotic animals); Botanic Garden (plants, trees, farm animals and displays); Aquarium (salt and fresh water aquatic animals and plants).

Job descriptions are intended to present a general list of tasks/duties performed by employees within this job classification. Job Descriptions are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

Essential and Supplemental Functions

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Essential functions may include but are not limited to the functions listed below. Must be able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.

• Coordinate the organization, staffing and operational activities for a variety of Biological Park services, activities and operations including the care and husbandry of animals; the care of Botanical Garden displays including trees, farm crops, the maintenance of animal enclosures and facilities and the provision of educational services.
• Participate in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies and priorities; recommend and implement resulting policies and procedures.
• Identify opportunities for improving service delivery methods and procedures, identify resource needs; review with appropriate management staff, implement improvements.
• Direct, coordinate and review the work plan for assigned Biological Park services, assign work activities and projects; monitor work flow; review and evaluate work products, methods and procedures, meet with staff to identify and resolve problems.
• Monitor animal diets, enclosures and transportation; ensure health and welfare of animals and farm crops.
• Conduct research on assigned sections of the plant or animal collections; maintain and update collection inventory and records.
• Assist with the evaluation of exhibit needs and tree health care; participate in the design, construction, and security of various animal habitats; coordinate assigned tasks with maintenance and construction divisions and staff as specified; manage facility as designated.
• Assist with monitoring animal husbandry methods, diets, enclosures and transportation; ensure health and welfare of animals; consult with veterinarians as directed.
• Participate in the preparation of documents and reports related to the inventory, equipment, supplies and products.
• Research specific animal or plant history prior to acquisition; make recommendations for acquisition and disposition of animals, plants and trees.
• Assist with analyzing Bio Park visitor needs; participate in the design of programs to fit those needs.
• Respond to public inquiries regarding plants or animals and their behaviors; may evaluate, prepare and modify various educational materials and curricular; assist with the education programs as needed.
• Assist in selection, training and evaluation of animal care personnel and the coordination of staff training.
• Participate as assigned, in the development and administration of budget, forecast funds for staffing, equipment, materials and supplies, etc. as necessary.
• Assist Bio Park Curator as needed.

SUPPLEMENTAL FUNCTIONS:

• Participate on a variety of committees and boards relative to assigned area of responsibility; prepare and present staff reports and other correspondence as necessary.
• Attend and participate in professional group meetings, seminars training sessions as needed.
• Stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of Zoo, Aquarium and Botanical Garden operations, including arboriculture; maintain awareness of new developments in the field assigned; incorporate new developments as appropriate into programs.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

Minimum Education, Experience And Additional Requirements

Education and experience directly related to the minimum requirements below may be interchangeable on a year for year basis.

When assigned to the Zoo:

Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university in zoology, animal husbandry or biology; and

Three (3) years of management of exotic animals and exotic animal husbandry experience; and

To include one (1) year of supervisory or lead experience.

Experience working in an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited facility preferred.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Possession of a valid New Mexico Drivers License or the ability to obtain within ninety (90) days from date of hire.

Possession of a City Operators Permit (COP) within six (6) months from date of hire.

Working Conditions

Environmental:

Outdoor facilities; may work in an animal environment including a variety of domestic, exotic, aquatic animals and animal waste; Work in or with water; work on slippery or uneven surfaces; exposure to chemicals and pesticides, noise, dust, heat, cold and inclement weather conditions.

Physical:

Essential and supplemental functions may require physical condition necessary for; light to heavy lifting; for walking, standing, sitting, bending, stooping; kneeling, crawling for prolonged periods of time; operating motorized equipment and vehicles.

Total Rewards. Total You.

The City of Albuquerque takes pride in offering our employees one of the most attractive Total Rewards packages in New Mexico. In addition to competitive salaries, the City provides benefit options for health, pharmacy, dental, vision, life, disability, and much more. The City also has pre-tax savings plans for healthcare, childcare, and parking. Employees participate in the state's public retirement system (PERA), with the City paying up to 75 percent of the employee's contribution. That's higher than any other contribution rate in the state of New Mexico!

Paid holidays? Check

Paid parental leave? Check

Paid birthdays off? Check

Vacation and sick leave starting Day 1? Check and check

Our people matter and we prioritize physical, mental, and financial wellbeing. With resources such as onsite and mobile medical clinics, an employee assistance program that encourages work-life balance, and tuition assistance and professional development pathways, the City is committed to equipping our employees with tools to better their lives and grow their careers while serving their community.

Total Rewards - City of Albuquerque

Fire Department

Albuquerque Police Department

01

Please identify your ability to possess a valid New Mexico drivers license (attach a copy of your drivers license). Select all that apply.

• Possess a valid New Mexico Drivers License, or have the ability to obtain by date of hire (attach a copy of your Drivers License)?
• Able to possess a valid New Mexico Drivers License within ninety (90) days from date of hire?
• Do not possess and not able to obtain a valid New Mexico Drivers License by date of hire or within ninety (90) days from date of hire.

02

Do you possess experience working in an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited facility?

• Yes
• No

03

Do you possess the lead or supervisory experience outlined in the minimum requirements? If you have successfully completed the City of Albuquerques Pre-Management Development Program (PMDP), please select yes and attach your certificate. (Lead is defined as monitors projects, programs or people.)

• Yes
• No

04

Select the highest level of successfully completed related education as identified by the minimum requirements (if applicable, attach supporting degree or transcripts).

• No High School Diploma
• High School Diploma or GED
• Non/degree accredited- Some College
• Associates
• Bachelors
• Masters
• Juris Doctorate
• Doctorate

05

Select the number of years of work experience you possess which relates to the minimum requirements, if applicable, add verifiable time in a temporary upgrade status and/or volunteer experience when selecting number of years.

• No experience
• 1 to less than 6 months
• 6 to less than 12 months
• 1 year to less than 2 years
• 2 years to less than 3 years
• 3 years to less than 4 years
• 4 years to less than 5 years
• 5 years to less than 6 years
• 6 years to less than 7 years
• 7 years to less than 8 years
• 8 years to less than 9 years
• 9 years to less than 10 years
• 10 years to less than 11 years
• 11 years to less than 12 years
• 12 years to less than 13 years
• 13 or more years

Required Question

Employer City of Albuquerque

Address 400 Marquette N.W.

Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87103

Phone 505 768-3700

Website http://CABQ.GOV