Animal Care Supervisor
Location
Santa Barbara, California, United States
Work type
Onsite
Employment
Full Time
Experience
3-5 years
Compensation
$31 - $34 per hour
Posted
3d ago
Summary and responsibilities
Role overview
Summary
The Animal Care Supervisor coordinates daily animal care operations, supervises keeper staff, and ensures compliance with animal welfare regulations. This role involves optimizing animal health and wellbeing, maintaining exhibits, and supporting zoo-wide programs and initiatives.
Under the general direction of the Zoological Managers and Director of Animal Care, the Animal Care Supervisor is responsible for supervising and coordinating daily animal care operations to optimize animal health, welfare, exhibit cleanliness, staff performance, conservation initiatives, regulatory compliance, and guest experiences. The position will be assigned to animal care zones based on departmental needs and will supervise Keepers, Volunteers, and Interns. Responsibilities include coaching and mentoring staff, providing feedback and performance evaluations, supporting daily operations, serving as a zone point of contact, and acting in the Zoological Manager’s absence. The supervisor will apply animal husbandry, health, and welfare knowledge to guide animal management, recognize abnormal behavior and medical conditions, conduct welfare assessments, identify husbandry and health concerns, and implement solutions. The role will collaborate with veterinary and nutrition teams to support medical care and nutrition strategies and will assist with animal training, enrichment, ambassador animal programs, exhibit modifications, and development and maintenance of standard operating guidelines and protocols. The position will ensure compliance with USDA Animal Welfare Act requirements, AZA standards, zoo policies, and animal care protocols, while ensuring accurate and timely entry of animal records into ZIMS. The supervisor will support managed breeding programs, including SSPs, and encourage staff participation in AZA programs such as TAGs, SAGs, SSPs, SAFE programs, committees, scientific meetings, workshops, and conservation initiatives. The role will collaborate with Conservation & Science on fieldwork, research requests, and in-house welfare studies.
In emergency situations, the Animal Care Supervisor may act as incident commander, respond to animal emergencies, assess risks to animals, guests, and staff, use approved emergency chemical immobilization and capture equipment when trained and required, and evaluate emergency response procedures with management. Guest responsibilities include maintaining high exhibit presentation standards, ensuring signage and graphics are maintained, interacting with guests, responding to inquiries and complaints, and supporting educational and animal experience programs. The supervisor will provide ongoing staff training in animal husbandry, handling, capture, restraint, training, enrichment, welfare, leadership, communication, and other professional skills. The position will assist with hiring, staff assessments, performance improvement plans, scheduling, volunteer and intern coordination, team goal development, and professional development opportunities. The role will also assist with resource allocation, timecard processing, safety and USDA inspections, AZA accreditation preparation, departmental meetings, public relations and media events, and coordination with other zoo departments and AZA institutions. The supervisor is expected to maintain high ethical standards, ensure safe and efficient operations, hold staff accountable, follow zoo policies, promote sustainability, maintain professional appearance and work areas, and provide positive and informed guest service.
Updated 3d ago
Candidate fit
Skills and qualifications
Additional skills
Experience
3-5 years
Certifications
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
$31 - $34 per hour
Benefits and perks
Location, schedule, and role shape
Work setup
Work conditions
Bandwidth profile
Context on the employer
Company snapshot
Company
Santa Barbara Zoo
Team size
Growing team
Location
Santa Barbara, California, United States
The Santa Barbara Zoo is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation and is a fully accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Known as one of the world’s most beautiful zoos, it is located on 30 acres of lush botanic gardens overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It is home to more than 146 animal species living in open, naturalistic habitats. Our wonderful collaborative team includes up to 220 employees and 50 volunteers.
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Animal Care Supervisor
Santa Barbara, California, United States • Full Time