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KCKansas City Zoo & Aquarium
Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium•Zoo & Aquarium

Animal Care Team Lead

Water's Edge

Location

Kansas City, Missouri, United States

Work type

Onsite

Employment

Full Time

Experience

5-10 years

Compensation

Compensation not disclosed

Posted

4h ago

Summary and responsibilities

Role overview

Summary

The Animal Care Team Lead assists the Animal Care Manager in overseeing an assigned area, focusing on the daily care and wellbeing of animals, habitat maintenance, and public interaction. This role involves personnel management, developing standard operating procedures, and leading the team in the manager's absence, specifically with the Water's Edge Team caring for marine mammals and avian species.

Animal Care Team Lead

The Animal Care Team Lead assists the Animal Care Manager with the daily management of the assigned area and performs routine animal husbandry, habitat maintenance, public engagement, and team leadership duties. This position supports the Water’s Edge Team, responsible for polar bears, California sea lions, southern sea otters, North American river otters, five penguin species (King, Gentoo, Chinstrap, Macaroni, Humboldt), and trumpeter swans. Prior avian experience, particularly with penguins, is strongly preferred.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Perform daily animal husbandry, including diet preparation, feeding, medication administration, health procedures, behavioral observation, documentation, and reporting.

  • Train animals in husbandry, enrichment, and medical behaviors; develop and implement new training plans and behaviors.

  • Create and implement enrichment strategies and activities.

  • Clean and maintain animal habitats, holding areas, and staff spaces; perform minor repairs and horticultural work.

  • Identify and report maintenance issues and safety hazards.

  • Train new staff, interns, and volunteers on animal care and maintenance procedures.

  • Assist the Animal Care Manager with interviewing, scheduling, coaching, performance evaluation, and training of staff, interns, and volunteers.

  • Assist with developing and maintaining standard operating procedures and animal management plans in accordance with AZA and USDA guidelines.

  • Oversee the assigned area in the absence of the Animal Care Manager, with support from the area curator.

  • Maintain daily reports, records, and required documentation.

  • Participate in eligible AZA programs and apply for SSP coordinator/studbook keeper opportunities after meeting requirements.

  • Interact with guests through animal chats, presentations, tours, special events, and daily visitor engagement.

  • Represent the Zoo & Aquarium in media relations after completing required training.

  • Assist with animal shipments and inter-institutional communication and training.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in biology, animal science, zoology, or a related field strongly preferred; high school diploma/GED accepted with relevant experience.

  • At least 5 years of related zoo or animal husbandry experience required; supervisory experience preferred.

  • Knowledge of animal husbandry, behavior, training, and care procedures, with emphasis on pinniped and marine mammal husbandry and operant conditioning.

  • Strong observational, communication, organizational, and computer skills, including Microsoft Office.

  • Ability to follow written and verbal instructions and maintain accurate records.

  • Valid driver’s license.

  • Must have or obtain SCUBA certification within six months of hire. Open Water SCUBA certification from an internationally recognized agency preferred.

  • Must pass an AAUS-compliant dive physical and swim test within six months of hire and obtain a negative TB test.

  • Ability to safely use dive equipment and tools and work in cold water and around animals, including sharks, penguins, and venomous fish.

  • Ability to lift 50 pounds, stand for extended periods, and maintain sufficient mobility for a safe work environment.

  • Ability to manage stress and make immediate safety decisions involving animals, staff, and the public.

  • Willingness to work flexible schedules, including weekends, holidays, evenings, and in varying weather conditions.

  • Must pass background and drug screening.

Updated 4h ago

Candidate fit

Skills and qualifications

Additional skills

Animal Husbandry • 1+ yrs
Animal Training • 1+ yrs
Habitat Maintenance • 1+ yrs
Personnel Management • 1+ yrs
Standard Operating Procedure Development • 1+ yrs
Public Speaking • 1+ yrs
Microsoft Office • 1+ yrs
Observational Skills • 1+ yrs

Experience

5-10 years

Certifications

SCUBA certification • Required
Open Water SCUBA certification • Required
AAUS-compliant dive physical and swim test • Required
Negative TB test • Required
Valid Driver's License • Required

How this role is positioned

Role classification

Job domains

Operations

Industries

Wildlife & Conservation

Employment

Full Time

Contract duration

Permanent

Hiring type

Direct

Global hiring

Location specific

Offer details

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

Compensation not disclosed

VisibilityShared on listing
CurrencyUSD
PeriodYearly

Location, schedule, and role shape

Work setup

Work conditions

Primary locationKansas City, Missouri, United States
Work typeOnsite
Global hiringNo

Bandwidth profile

peopleHigh • 8/10
physicalHigh • 9/10
cognitiveHigh • 8/10
executionHigh • 9/10
creativityMedium • 6/10
uncertaintyMedium • 7/10
communicationHigh • 8/10

Context on the employer

Company snapshot

Company

Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium

Team size

Growing team

Location

Kansas City, Missouri, United States

The Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium is a public institution dedicated to the daily care and wellbeing of a diverse animal collection, habitat maintenance, and public interaction through educational presentations and special events.

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Animal Care Team Lead

Kansas City, Missouri, United States • Full Time