Animal Care Supervisor
Animal Care Supervisor
The Opportunity
An Animal Care Supervisor is a highly motivated, enthusiastic individual with a positive attitude who leads the animal team and oversees the care of the diverse collection. They have a strong background in operations and show their leadership experience each day. This position oversees the daily supervision of Zookeepers, animal training, husbandry, and guest experiences, including stage presentations and outreach programs.
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Lincoln Children’s Zoo
• Animal Care Supervisor
About the Zoo
Founded in 1965, the Lincoln Children’s Zoo has been an important part of the Lincoln community for over 50 years. The Zoo is home to over 400 different animals who receive high-quality care from our trained team of Zoo professionals. The Zoo has been featured on NBC’s Today Show, Time Magazine, ABC News, USA Today, Buzzfeed, CNN, National Geographic, Forbes, Boston Globe and more.
Lincoln Children’s Zoo is one of the fastest growing zoos in the country according to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. In 2019, the Zoo completed work on the largest expansion in its history. This expansion added 10 acres to the Zoo’s property and featured a year-round giraffe feeding experience, Sumatran tiger habitat, indoor play area situated next to the spider monkeys, and a play stream. In 2021, Lincoln Children’s Zoo expanded even further to add new residents: cheetahs and giant anteaters. This expansion included the addition of a 25-foot-tall play structure and the Cheetah Chase Theater, which allows guests to watch a cheetah run, reaching speeds of up to 70 mph.
Lincoln Children’s Zoo creates memorable, educational, and enriching experiences for children of all ages and provides families the opportunity to learn firsthand about the natural world. Along with creating fun and educational experiences, the Zoo is committed to animal conservation efforts and saving animals from extinction. Home to over 30 species categorized as vulnerable or near-extinction, the Zoo is devoted to preserving and protecting animals for future generations.
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Lincoln Children’s Zoo • Animal Care Supervisor
Lincoln Children’s Zoo
Animal Care Supervisor
2023 ZOO STATS
349,564
ZOO GUESTS
400
ANIMALS
ONE OF THE
TOP 10
FASTEST GROWING ZOOS
CORE VALUES
We are there for each other.
116
SPECIES
45,048
ZOO MEMBERS
34
SPECIES SURVIVAL PLANS
OUR MISSION:
To enrich lives through firsthand interaction with living things.
We generate enthusiasm. We are humble. We go above and beyond.
Lincoln Children’s Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums
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Financial Health
Lincoln Children’s Zoo is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The Zoo operates from a healthy financial position and is poised for success and growth in the future. In the past seven years the Zoo has always generated a profit while reinvesting over $28 million back into the Zoo. In just over 12 years, the annual budget has grown from $1.8 million in 2011 to over $7 million in 2021.
Lincoln, Nebraska
Lincoln, Nebraska’s capital city, is ranked at the top as one of the happiest and healthiest cities in America. It’s a unique place with a small-town feel but big city amenities. Residents can experience the charm of Lincoln’s local art scene, flourishing restaurant industry, revitalized downtown, nice people, outdoor experiences including over 132 miles of trails, and an overall relaxed pace of life. Lincoln boasts an incredible public school system with a 13:1 student to teacher ratio and an 80.79% high school graduation rate. Additionally, Lincoln is home to the state’s largest university, the University of Nebraska - Lincoln.
ONE OF THE
MOST AFFORDABLE
6.6% $52,177
18.5
Children’s Zoo • Animal Care Supervisor 5
Lincoln
BELOW NATIONAL AVERAGE COST OF LIVING IN LINCOLN MEDIAN LINCOLN HOUSEHOLD INCOME /MONTH MEDIAN NEBRASKA RENT STATES TO RAISE A FAMILIY
MEDIAN NEBRASKA HOME VALUE
$800
$142,000
MINUTES AVERAGE LINCOLN COMMUTE HOUSING, UTILITIES, TRANSPORTATION, & HEALTH COSTS IN NEBRASKA
LOWER THAN NATIONAL AVERAGE
THINGS TO DO IN LINCOLN
ATHLETICS
130+ 7
MILES
STATE RECREATION AREAS OF WALKING & BIKING TRAILS
WITH 25 MILES OF LINCOLN
MORE PARKLAND PER CAPITA THAN AUSTIN, PORTLAND AND MANY OTHER US CITIES!
MUSEUMS
Sheldon Museums of Art • Morrill Hall • Nebraska History Museum • Great Plains Art Museum • & More!
MUSIC & PERFORMING ARTS VENUES
Multiple music and theater venues featuring local performers and national touring groups, including Broadway tours! Experience athletic events at the college and professional level with the Nebraska Cornhuskers, Lincoln Saltdogs, and Lincoln Stars.
Animal
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Lincoln Children’s Zoo •
Care Supervisor
Principal Duties
General Duties
• Program support: create and facilitate education programs as needed.
• Represents the Zoo during outreach programs as needed.
• Train adult volunteers to work in education areas as needed.
• Work with the Director of Education to ensure that keepers are trained in overseeing Zoo Crew when they are working in the animal areas.
• Work with Director of Education to make sure we provide keepers for educational school tours and other tour groups through the Zoo.
• Coordinate hiring of full time and seasonal keepers.
• Work special events and rentals as needed.
Leadership Duties
• Responsible for overseeing the husbandry and overall animal care for the entire animal collection. Including but not limited to birds, mammals, reptiles, insects, arthropods, aquatics, amphibians, and domestic collection.
• Evaluate animal welfare and help make the necessary changes to improve welfare when needed.
• Responsible for scheduling staff for our outreach programs in schools, retirement communities, and other events as needed.
• Responsible for coordinating the training of keepers for stage shows and presentations and ensuring that the experiences are completed to Lincoln Children Zoo standards.
• Deliver annual performance reviews for Zookeepers and provides work plan goals for the coming year.
• Participates in recruitment, selection, and hiring decisions.
• Supervises and schedules Zookeepers.
• Trains and coaches Zookeepers and ensures compliance with safety policies and practices.
• Participates in employee relations concerns in partnership with Human Resources and the General Curator.
• Completes informal check-ins with Zookeepers.
• Oversee the intern/apprentice coordinators and assist with hiring and mentoring interns and apprentices.
• All other duties as assigned.
Children’s Zoo • Animal Care Supervisor 7
Lincoln
Preferred Talents
• Excellent communication skills.
• Experience with Microsoft programs and spreadsheets.
• Exceptional guest experience skills.
• Ability to be flexible to change and provide solutions when problems arise.
• Ability to provide guest interactions in the form of speaking to large audiences as well as small groups.
• Ability to work independently with little supervision.
• Strong desire to support the Lincoln Children’s Zoo’s mission and vision.
• Experience in hand-rearing.
Qualifications
• 2 years of supervisory experience.
• Must demonstrate skills to successfully lead a team.
• Valid Driver’s License and proof of insurability.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• Strong operant conditioning background.
Working Environment
While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to both indoor and outdoor conditions. This position may also be exposed to extreme temperatures and inclement weather conditions; the environment may consist of wet, icy, or muddy conditions. Must be able to work some nights and weekends.
Physical Requirements
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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands to handle or feel, reach with hands or arms, climb or balance, talk or hear. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. The employee must be able to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds occasionally.
Lincoln Children’s Zoo • Animal Care Supervisor 8
Process
Lincoln Children’s Zoo thoroughly reviews candidates through our recruiting and interviewing process. Our process incorporates hiring to our core values and mission; by doing so, we ensure our employees are just as dedicated to the team as we are to them.
Applications are currently being reviewed for this position. Interested individuals are encouraged to submit applications as soon as possible for consideration. Complete applications should be submitted via email to the contact below and should include a cover letter, current resume, and references.
Benefits
We care about your health – We offer 90% healthcare coverage for individual and 50% for family including employer provided dental and vision insurance, short and long-term disability, and paid maternity and paternity leave. Additional benefits include flexible holidays to use when you choose and a $500 lifestyle spending account.
We invest in your future – Life insurance paid for by the Zoo and a 401k with employer match are available.
We love our Zoo – Employees receive a free family membership, discount tickets to Zoo events and discounts on food and beverage inside of the Zoo.
We value professional development – We offer opportunities for professional development and continuing education (Memberships in professional organizations, attendance at conferences and/or training courses)
We are there for each other - At the Zoo we work as a team. No job is more important than another, no work is beneath us and we are focused on pitching in and helping each other when needed.
Contact
Olivia Wells Zelle Human Resources olivia@zellehr.com
• Animal
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Lincoln Children’s Zoo
Care Supervisor