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Regional hiringpublishedExternal employer
SBSanta Barbara Zoo
Santa Barbara Zoo•Zoo

Animal Care Supervisor

Location

Santa Barbara, California, United States

Work type

Onsite

Employment

Full Time

Experience

3-8 years

Compensation

$31 - $34 per hour

Posted

3h 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 at the Santa Barbara Zoo. This role involves optimizing animal wellbeing, maintaining exhibits, and supporting zoo-wide conservation and educational initiatives.

Job Title: Animal Care Supervisor

Job Summary:

The Animal Care Supervisor oversees daily animal care operations, ensuring animal health and welfare, exhibit cleanliness, staff supervision, regulatory compliance, and positive guest experiences. The role supports zoo-wide conservation, research, animal training, and enrichment programs while working closely with Zoological Managers and the Director of Animal Care.

Key Responsibilities:

- Supervise, coach, and evaluate animal care staff, keepers, volunteers, and interns while coordinating daily operations, staff schedules, training, and professional development.

- Oversee animal husbandry, health, behavior, nutrition, training, and enrichment programs. Identify welfare concerns, coordinate with veterinary teams, and ensure compliance with established procedures and animal welfare standards.

- Maintain accurate animal records in ZIMS, update operating procedures, support breeding programs, and contribute to research, conservation projects, and AZA initiatives.

- Respond to animal emergencies, escapes, and other incidents, assess risks to animals, staff, and guests, and coordinate emergency response procedures.

- Maintain exhibit cleanliness, maintenance, signage, and presentation standards while responding to guest inquiries, complaints, and educational needs.

- Coordinate with departments including Veterinary Services, Conservation, Education, Guest Services, and Human Resources to support zoo-wide programs and initiatives.

- Manage operational resources, timecards, inspections, staff scheduling, volunteer coordination, and compliance with USDA regulations, AZA standards, and organizational policies.

- Support public relations, educational presentations, staff training, and conservation awareness activities.

Required Qualifications:

- Bachelor's degree in Biology, Zoology, Ecology, Life Sciences, or a related field.

- Minimum of three years of animal husbandry experience in a zoo, aquarium, or related environment.

- Demonstrated leadership, staff supervision, and team coordination abilities.

- Knowledge of animal behavior, natural history, handling, restraint, training, enrichment, reproduction, and animal health.

- Strong communication, organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

- Basic proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.

- Ability to remain calm during emergencies and work safely around potentially dangerous animals.

Additional Requirements:

- Valid driver's license with a good driving record preferred.

- Ability to obtain First Aid/CPR/AED certification.

- Current negative TB test and rabies titer documentation, or willingness to complete testing.

- Successful completion of a LiveScan DOJ background check.

Work Environment:

The role involves supervising animal care teams, working around animals, maintaining exhibits, and responding to emergencies. Candidates must demonstrate safe work practices, flexibility, sound judgment, and the ability to collaborate respectfully with staff, volunteers, and visitors.

Benefits and Perks:

Benefits may include free parking, guest passes, discounts on food and retail, professional development opportunities, paid vacation and sick leave, retirement plans, supplemental insurance, zoo membership, and paid conservation and professional development days. Eligibility depends on employment classification and applicable benefit terms.

Updated 3h ago

Candidate fit

Skills and qualifications

Additional skills

Animal Husbandry • 1+ yrs
Animal Welfare Assessment • 1+ yrs
Staff Supervision • 1+ yrs
Emergency Response • 1+ yrs
Collaboration • 1+ yrs
Communication • 1+ yrs
ZIMS • 1+ yrs
Microsoft Office Suite • 1+ yrs

Experience

3-8 years

Certifications

First Aid/CPR/AED • Required
Negative TB Test • Required
Rabies Titer • 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

$31 - $34 per hour

VisibilityShared on listing
CurrencyUSD
PeriodHourly

Benefits and perks

Free Parking

Location, schedule, and role shape

Work setup

Work conditions

Primary locationSanta Barbara, California, United States
Work typeOnsite
Global hiringNo

Bandwidth profile

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

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