Ambassador Animal Area Supervisor - Shows

Nashville Zoo at Grassmere

Position Description

Position Title: Area Supervisor- Ambassador Animals (Shows)

Department:  Behavioral Husbandry

Supervisor: Curator of Behavioral Husbandry

Position Status: Full-time, Exempt   

Company Overview:

Nashville Zoo is dedicated to inspiring a culture of understanding and discovery of our natural world through conservation, innovation, and leadership. With a diverse collection of animals and a commitment to wildlife preservation, we provide engaging experiences for visitors of all ages.

Position Overview:    

The Area Supervisor of the Ambassador Animal Shows team leads a team in delivering exceptional animal care and engaging educational experiences. This role involves overseeing daily animal husbandry, managing animal shows and outreach programs, and supporting conservation efforts. The Supervisor will mentor keepers, contribute to new program development, and maintain high standards in animal welfare and guest engagement. Responsibilities also include habitat maintenance, staff training, and administrative tasks like record keeping, and collection planning. The role requires independent problem-solving, strong leadership, and a passion for the zoo's mission. Supervisors also serve as Manager on Duty and report to the Curatorial Staff. This is an exciting opportunity to grow within a dynamic and expanding zoo team.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist the department curator and may be required to act as designee in their absence. 
• Write or edit existing animal care and facility management Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) as needed and ensure compliance. 
• Ensure the training of all assigned animal care staff in all Nashville Zoo policies and procedures. 
• Inspect animals, habitats, work areas, and grounds to ensure proper standards are maintained and reports to the department curator.  This includes reporting on safety hazards and generating recommended resolutions.  Produce superior products (collection, facilities, and guest engagement) and be innovative. 
• Demonstrate leadership that provides vision and opportunities for individuals and the Zoo to grow.  
• Participate in the project planning process. 
• Assist in the preparation of the annual budget for your area. 
• Assist in the preparation and implementation of the institutional collection plan for your area. 
• Advocate for the plans and objectives of the Zoo every day through their own actions. 
• Ensure the keeper staff are trained in all aspects of animal care and guest engagement and shows in order to perform their work to expected standards. 
• Facilitate the training of animal care staff in the cleaning of service areas, areas around animal buildings, and the stage and presentation areas. 
• Ensure compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Nashville Zoo safety policies; ensure all employees work in a safe manner, with appropriate personal protective equipment, and that all accidents and hazards within the area of responsibility are promptly investigated and corrective action is taken. 
• Ensure the proper maintenance of tools and equipment. 
• Identify maintenance issues and correct or repair each as required, including potential safety hazards; submit work orders as needed. 
• Ensure the daily observation of general animal health and behavior and reporting of any abnormalities. 
• Ensure all animal grooming is performed as needed, including coping beaks, trimming nails and wings, facilitating ecdysis, brushing or trimming fur, etc. 
• Assist the Veterinary Department in the health care of animals as needed and ensure the training of assigned animal care staff in the same. 
• Maintain or assign keeper staff to the maintenance of records of animal health, behavior, enrichment and training, and guest engagement. 
• Ensure the training, supervision, evaluation of volunteers, and interns, as needed. 
• Train and/or ensure the proper training of Behavioral Department Staff on the handling of assigned department animals, including proper record keeping and routine evaluation of animal handling skills. 
• Ensure proper animal capture, restraint, and transport. 
• Manage the schedule of projects, such as perch changes, substrate changes, and weed trimming, etc., for the assigned facilities and habitats. 
• Ensure compliance with all USDA (United States Department of Agriculture), USFWS (United States Fish and Wildlife Service), TWRA (Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency), and AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) regulations and standards for animal care, welfare, and accreditation 
• With the assistance of the keeper staff, produce the daily animal shows, and present or act as support staff in/for those shows as needed. 
• Maintain or delegate the maintenance of equipment needed for programs, including sound system, backdrop, props, etc. 
• Acquire and maintain show and other graphics and signs as needed. 
• Operate Zoo Vehicles as trained, and ensure assigned staff are trained to safely operate zoo vehicles as well. 
• Ensure a friendly, safe, and clean atmosphere for guests to enjoy the Nashville Zoo and its offerings. 
• Interact with the public and Zoo staff in a professional and courteous manner. 
• Make decisions consistent with the Nashville Zoo policies and procedures when required. 
• Perform daily duties in all sections of the assigned department as required. 
• Act as Animal Care Manager on Duty (MOD) as scheduled/needed. 
• Perform other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications

Skills:

• Knowledge of safety practices, animal care, and handling exotic & domestic animals.
• Knowledge of animal diet preparation, general biology, and behavior.
• Ability to receive, understand, and carry out verbal and written instruction, direction, and assignments.
• Ability to perform physical work activities in varying weather conditions.
• Ability to communicate and cooperate with employees and to deal with the public in an effective and positive manner.
• Ability to work without direct supervision.
• Ability to communicate effectively with the public and comfortable with public speaking.
• Personnel leadership experience in a team setting.

Education/ Experience:

• Bachelors or 2-year Associate degree or comparable experience in the animal care field. 
• Preferred 5 years of experience in the animal care field, preferably with Ambassador Animals. 
• Experience in leading a team of 5+ personnel is preferred.
• Ability to operate motorized vehicles and equipment; applicant must possess a valid driver’s license
• Demonstrated ability to lead and drive positive team results. 
• Must have at least three years of professional experience in presentation, theater, or teaching. 
• Knowledge of the care, basic medical procedures, feeding, handling, and behavior of animals in managed care. 
• Knowledge of legislation, regulations, and standards (e.g., USDA, USFWS & AZA guidelines) relating to the care and keeping of animals in managed care. 
• Ability to initiate and write accurate reports. 
• Ability to provide quality customer service to both internal and external customers. 
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions, including routine procedures for the care and maintenance of animals, displays, and grounds. 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers (including staff, interns, students, and volunteers) and the public in a professional and courteous manner. 
• Ability to work within a team environment and on an individual basis. 
• Ability to access animal areas and perform physical work, including bending, climbing and lifting of objects up to 25 pounds. 
• Ability to develop and maintain two-way communication with all levels of staff through inclusive means. 
• Ability to participate and complete provided training sessions. 
• Ability to maintain a flexible schedule that may include working weekends, evenings, and holidays, during all climatic conditions. 
• Knowledge and understanding of animal training and its application, especially a knowledge of diet management and/or weight management in regard to animal training and health. 
• Knowledge of zoonotic and anthropozoonotic diseases and their prevention. 
• Ability to acquire knowledge of the natural and individual history of Behavioral Husbandry Department Animals. 
• Knowledge of handling and restraint of assigned animals. 
• Knowledge of safety practices around animals. 
• Knowledge of conservation education and show methods in zoological settings. 
• Employee must be capable of completely performing the responsibilities outlined in the “Duties and Responsibilities” section of this description 
• Employee must be able to make unbiased and professional decisions when dealing with staff 
• Employee will be working with all ages 
• Employee is expected to write and/or present professional presentations, support and participate in Nashville Zoo conservation projects, and support and participate in Nashville Zoo research projects 

Physical Responsibilities:

• This is an outdoor position; applicants will work outside year-round in inclement weather conditions such as extreme high/low temperatures, snow and rain conditions.
• Stand, sit, or walk for an extended period of time or for an entire work shift. Applicants are required to have the ability to bend, stoop and extend oneself etc., as required for performing assigned tasks.
• Move, lift, carry, push, pull, and place objects weighing less than or equal to 50 pounds without assistance.

Work Schedule:

• Full-time, exempt position, averaging 40 hours per week.
• Flexibility: Position may require flexibility in working hours to accommodate special events, emergencies, or animal care needs.
• Must have flexibility to be available to work weekends.

Benefits:

Nashville Zoo offers a comprehensive benefits package to full-time employees, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, Employee Assistance Programs, a 401(k) plan with company match, paid time off, sick leave, long-term disability coverage, park discounts, and membership benefits.

Pre-employment requirements:

• Nashville Zoo is an EEO Institution and a Drug Free Workplace.
• At-will employment
• Candidates for this position are required to submit to a criminal background check and pass a drug test.
• Candidates for this position are subject to yearly Tuberculosis Screenings.