Area Supervisor
Primate, Avian & Reptile Section
Location
Melbourne, Florida, United States
Work type
Onsite
Employment
Full Time
Experience
3+ years
Compensation
Compensation not disclosed
Posted
11h ago
Summary and responsibilities
Role overview
Summary
The Area Supervisor at Brevard Zoo assists Curators in managing the daily care of zoo animals and maintaining exhibits, specifically overseeing the primate, avian, and reptile sections of the Americas team. This working supervisor role involves both direct animal care and the supervision, training, and performance management of zookeepers.
Position Overview
Located on Florida's Space Coast, Brevard Zoo is an AZA-accredited zoo housing more than 900 animals representing nearly 200 species. The Area Supervisor supports the Curators in managing the daily care of animals, exhibit maintenance, and staff within the assigned area. This is a working supervisor role that combines hands-on animal care with leadership responsibilities. The position oversees the Americas primate section, including New World primates, various bird species, and select reptiles, while promoting exceptional animal welfare, staff development, and guest experiences.
Qualifications
Required
Minimum 3 years of experience in an AZA-accredited zoo or aquarium.
Experience caring for primates, avian species, and mixed-species or rotating habitats.
Strong communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
Excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities.
Ability to work independently, adapt to changing priorities, and maintain composure in a fast-paced environment.
Experience supervising or mentoring staff.
Ability to safely handle and restrain a variety of animal species.
Valid ability to operate vehicles and small equipment.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Adobe applications.
Preferred
Experience with Species360/ZIMS.
Bachelor's degree or higher in a related field.
Key Responsibilities
Provide high-quality husbandry to maximize animal health and welfare.
Observe and document animal behavior, health, feeding, breeding, and enrichment activities.
Maintain accurate animal records and husbandry documentation.
Partner with Curators to improve exhibits and husbandry practices.
Supervise, train, mentor, and evaluate animal care staff, interns, and apprentices.
Assign daily tasks and ensure safe, efficient operations within the assigned area.
Support hiring, performance evaluations, coaching, and disciplinary processes.
Conduct regular team meetings and communicate operational updates.
Coordinate animal-related event requests and serve as Animal Manager on Duty when needed.
Represent the zoo during media and public engagement activities.
Develop, maintain, and enforce husbandry and safety procedures.
Participate in animal welfare assessments and implement improvement initiatives.
Ensure compliance with zoo policies, safety standards, and AZA best practices.
Knowledge & Skills
Animal handling and safe restraint techniques.
Operant conditioning and positive reinforcement training.
Strong leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, and communication skills.
Commitment to animal welfare and conservation.
Physical Requirements
Medium work requiring lifting up to 50 lbs occasionally, 25 lbs frequently, and 10 lbs continuously.
Frequent standing, walking, bending, kneeling, lifting, and working indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions.
Schedule & Travel
Must be available to work weekends, evenings, and holidays as needed.
Occasional travel may be required for animal transports and professional development.
Updated 11h ago
Candidate fit
Skills and qualifications
Additional skills
Experience
3+ years
How this role is positioned
Role classification
Job domains
Industries
Employment
Full Time
Contract duration
Permanent
Hiring type
Direct
Global hiring
Location specific
Offer details
Compensation and benefits
Compensation
Compensation not disclosed
Location, schedule, and role shape
Work setup
Work conditions
Bandwidth profile
Context on the employer
Company snapshot
Company
Brevard Zoo
Team size
Growing team
Location
Melbourne, Florida, United States
Located along the Space Coast in Melbourne, Florida, the Brevard Zoo is an AZA-accredited facility with a diverse collection of over 900 animals representing nearly 200 species. It is also home to the Sea Turtle Healing Center for rehabilitation of wild marine turtles. Brevard Zoo is well-known for its strong conservation ethic and unique attractions, such as kayaking through the Africa area, giraffe feeding, and rhinoceros and lemur encounters.
Popular Domains
Explore opportunities across specialized functional areas.
Trending Industries
Discover roles in the world's most innovative sectors.
Area Supervisor
Melbourne, Florida, United States • Full Time