Zoological Manager

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Buffalo Zoo

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Zoological Manager

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Join Our Herd! Now Hiring.

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Do you have a passion for wildlife, leadership experience in exotic animal care, and a desire to make an impact in conservation and education? The Buffalo Zoo, a cornerstone of Western New York's cultural landscape, is seeking a motivated and experienced Zoological Manager to join our Animal Care leadership team. This full-time position is responsible for the direct supervision of two-to-three of the five animal care teams withing the department, working collaboratively to ensure the highest standards of animal welfare, staff development, and operational excellence.

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About the Role:

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As Zoological Manager, you will be actively involved in daily operations, Animal Management meetings, Animal Welfare meetings, and strategic decision-making for a large and diverse animal collection - ranging from anteaters to zebras and many species in between. This is an excellent opportunity for professionals on a zoo management track who are looking to take the next step in their leadership journey.

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Why the Buffalo Zoo?

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As one of the crown jewels of Western New York's cultural and recreational attractions, the Buffalo Zoo welcomes 400,000+ guests on an annual basis. The Zoo sits on 23.5 acres and is home to over 850+ animals, supports many conservation programs, and is a highly regarded educational facility. Being the third oldest zoo in the country, the Buffalo Zoo is proud to have several buildings of historic significance on its campus. The Zoo is operated by the Zoological Society of Buffalo, Inc., under a lease agreement with the City of Buffalo. Our mission of Building Community Creating Connections Saving Wildlife is guiding our strategic plan and campus development plan - both updated in 2025. These plans will guide the growth and development of the Zoo for the next ten years.

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Essential Functions:

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Under the direction of the Curator of Animal Operations and/or the Curator of Animal Behavior and Welfare, this position will oversee or assist with the following responsibilities -

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• Manage day-to-day animal care operations to provide uncompromising animal care and wellbeing for the animals and high engagement and satisfaction for guests. This includes ensuring that all animal care husbandry routines meet or exceed industry and government standards; that all Zoo guidelines and protocols are being followed; and exhibits, holding and back-of-house areas, are always clean and presentable. Must be able to train animal keepers in daily husbandry, care, and welfare of assigned animals/areas.

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• Manage personnel (i.e. interviews, provide input on hiring, writes/delivers performance evaluations, writes/delivers disciplinary actions, etc.)

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• Assists with reviewing and editing employee timecards and inputting employee work schedules in the payroll system.

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• Conducts weekly team and department meetings as directed.

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• Supervises and coordinates implementation of enrichment, welfare improvement initiatives, and operant conditioning programs with Team Leads and keepers in assigned areas.

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• Position is considered "Essential/Mandatory Staff" and may be required to work on adverse weather days and during emergencies.

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• Supervises guest engagement activities to ensure safety and high-level guest engagement.

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• Ensure assigned teams are reporting animal medical issues to the veterinary department in a timely manner and following all prescribed treatment plans. Participate in the scheduling of routine physical exams, medical procedures, and other preventive or treatment procedures to ensure health of the animals.

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• Oversee supply acquisition and inventories to ensure that essential materials, supplies, equipment, and food supply are available for assigned areas.

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• Help to oversee and train Zoo staff on all emergency protocols, scheduling safety drills, coordinating the Emergency Response Team, and maintaining inventory of emergency and personal protective equipment.

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• Lead both weapons and recapture teams' responses as needed. Must be able to or willing to learn how to shoot rifles, shotguns, capture dart guns and operate other emergency equipment as required and/or directed to assist in the animal escape and recovery plan. Must be able to calmly respond to emergency situations.

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• Must deliver exceptional customer service by engaging with guests on a regular basis to create a friendly, memorable, and positive experience. Ability to respond to common inquiries, requests, or complaints from guests and/or staff in a kind and courteous manner.

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• Ability to effectively promote the organization.

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• Possess a can-do attitude, be resourceful, and communicate respectfully with everyone.

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• Interact with courtesy, professionalism, and respect to staff, docents, volunteers, and guests consistent with the organization's mission and core values.

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• Verbal and written ability to communicate with Zoo staff. Able to interact positively with a variety of individuals from varied socioeconomically backgrounds frequently.

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• Performs other duties assigned by Curator of Animal Operations and/or Curator of Animal Behavior and Welfare.

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Special Skills:

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• Familiarity with design and operation of freshwater and saltwater aquatic life support systems for a variety of taxa including marine and aquatic mammals, birds, reptiles, and fish is helpful but not required.

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• Experience with firearms and physical animal restraint equipment, vehicles and related maintenance equipment is a plus. Must be willing to be trained to be on the weapons team.

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• Must be able to provide and accept crucial, productive feedback. Able to provide mentorship and guidance for keepers and animal area volunteers including ownership of process, organization, and communications.

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• Working knowledge of personal computers and software applications (e.g., MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook email and Google DOCs); be able to produce needed reports and summaries; ability to enter accurately/audit animal daily reports using Species 360 ZIMS.

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Other:

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• This position follows a Tuesday-Saturday or Sunday-Thursday schedule, determined by Zoo operational needs. Flexibility in schedule is required, including the ability to work weekend days, evenings, and holidays to support Zoo operations.

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• Zoological Manager will be on 24-hour call to respond to emergency situations.

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• Must provide proof of negative TB test upon hire (test taken within the last 12 months). TB Test conducted annually.

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• Be organized and exhibit "follow through" on tasks and goals.

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• Enthusiastic, self-reliant, independent attitude and approach to work. Must be able to multi-task and be a team-player.

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• Must support Buffalo Zoo's Vision, Mission, and Core Values.

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• Must possess or be able to obtain within 30-days of employment a valid New York State driver's license and have an average or better driving record based on the evaluation process of our insurance company. Retention of position is contingent upon maintaining required license. Must upgrade to classification appropriate to requirements (non-CDLC or CDL class).

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• Successful completion of a post-offer pre-employment general medical screen and drug test.

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• Successful completion of a post-offer pre-employment background check.

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• Successful completion of a post-offer fitness for duty test.

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• Must understand the requirements, essential functions, and duties of the position as per the job description and certify such by signing the job description acknowledgement form prior to first day of work.

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• Must operate a computer, two-way radio, telephone system, and software on computer, printer, etc. after training.

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• Must be willing to comply with department's Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) policies and procedures.

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• Regular attendance and punctuality are essential functions of the position.

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• Position is part of the Zoo's emergency weather team and is expected to report when the Zoo is officially closed due to weather.

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Physical Demands:

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The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

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• Employee may be exposed to a variety of weather conditions or temperatures. Work may be required both indoors and outdoors in various weather and temperature conditions, ranging from rain, wind, snow, cool to cold weather, and extreme heat and humidity. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

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• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, climb, and talk or hear. Use computer hardware and software for periodic periods of time. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

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• Employee is exposed to the environment around animal exhibits and animal holding areas. Will be working around animal excrement, smells, and other debris. Ability to follow animal safety protocol, and treat the animals with care, respect, and dignity.

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• Able and willing to perform sustained work of a physical nature, may require heavy lifting. The employee must lift up to the weight requirements included in the fitness for duty test occasionally/regularly. Passing a fitness for duty test will be required for the successful candidate to be given further consideration for the position.

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While this job description attempts to describe the essential functions of the position, it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. It does not restrict management's right to assign or reassign duties or responsibilities to this job at any time. The employee is expected to adhere to all policies and to act as a role model in the adherence to the policies.

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The Buffalo Zoo is an At Will employer and all Buffalo Zoo employees are subject to employment eligibility and background security checks as well as testing for illegal substance use as allowed by law.

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Equal Opportunity Employer

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Experience Required

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Education (Minimum Desired): Associate's degree in one of the natural sciences or closely related field plus experience. Comprehensive knowledge of behavioral management, including operant conditioning philosophy, techniques, and terminology, as well as knowledge of benefits and goals of environmental enrichment preferably obtained through classes, workshops, and other formal learning environments. Experience (Minimum Desired): Five+ years' exotic animal care experience at an AZA-accredited facility. Diversified experience in the husbandry and management of an exotic animal collection preferred. Prior experience in a leadership or supervisory role within a zoological setting and demonstrated expertise in either large carnivores or great apes; specialization is not a necessity. Must have the ability to motivate, lead, and coach a team. Must be a capable leader/manager and an effective role model that can create a supportive, fun, team environment. \t\t\t\t\t

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Perks

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Some of the benefits available include health plan, HRA/HSA, FSA, life insurance, long term disability insurance, dental, vision, 403B retirement plan, annual leave, holiday, and sick time benefits. Benefits available the first of the month after successful completion of the 60-day worked probationary period review (sick leave available upon hire).

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Salary

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Full-time, exempt position. Annual salary range is $62,400 - $65,000 commensurate with experience.

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How to Apply

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Submit your resume and cover letter (Word or PDF) to: zooapplications@buffalozoo.org, subject line: Zoological Manager

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Position open until filled - No phone calls, please.

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Learn more at www.buffalozoo.org

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Buffalo Zoo

300 Parkside Ave.

Buffalo, NY 14214

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