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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
Experience
3-8 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