Animal Collections Manager

Job Summary:

The Animal Collections Manager advises and oversees their designated team to achieve exceptional animal care and facility standards. The collection manager will collaborate across departments to help achieve White Oak’s Conservation initiatives. The position works cooperatively with the Veterinary and Education Departments to implement best practices for behavioral training for husbandry management, medical procedures and public presentations. The Collection Manager is a mentor and coach for Animal Management leads, specialists and interns to achieve Animal Management department goals as part of the White Oak conservation mission. This position is a recognized expert in their area of animal collection focus, serves as a conservation advocate for White Oak, and represents the organization in external collaborations.

Essential Duties:

• Performs supervisory duties, including hiring, determining subordinate work procedures and schedules, issuing instructions and assigning duties; reviewing work, providing training, coaching and mentorship; addressing performance concerns; and conducting performance reviews.

• Advises and oversees the daily husbandry of the animal collection including feeding, cleaning, medicating, training and enrichment activities.

• Oversees and inspires the growth and development of the wildlife team and students through mentoring and training.

• Oversees and ensures compliance with federal and state regulations and White Oak’s internal policies in regard to the animal collection.

• Establishes working relationships with overall sustainable populations outside of White Oak, such as PFS, C2S2, private facilities and conservation programs.

• Collaborates with Guest Services and Education for guest encounters, while ensuring optimal safety for guests and animals.

• Participates in strategic, operational, and budgetary planning for department.

• Collaborates with the animal health team to ensure the highest standards of animal health are maintained.

• Participates in the design of new habitats and animal care facilities.

• Oversees the safe, effective, and attractive function of animal habitats, vehicles, and buildings in the wildlife area.

• Creates and implements animal management and conservation breeding plans.

• Completes requisitions and purchase requests for all supplies and materials needed in the Wildlife area.

• Represents White Oak on various industry committees, on conference calls, and in person at meetings and conferences.

• Acts as liaison with conservation partners for programs such as rehabilitation and research projects.

• Ensures proper record keeping and reporting as related to the animal collection.

• Supports and assists in planning natural resource management objectives at White Oak.

• Advises and oversees the green sustainability efforts in the wildlife department and participates in organizational sustainability planning and efforts.

• Participates in White Oak’s in situ conservation programs.

• Oversees emergency preparedness, safety, and security in the wildlife department.

• Assists with effective external communication of White Oak’s conservation mission: articles, presentations, pictures, etc.

• Ensures effective internal communications within the wildlife department and with other departments.

• Operates heavy equipment, when needed.

Education and Work Experience Requirements:

• B.S. (M.S. preferred) in Biology, Animal Science, or related field preferred; or minimum of five years of animal care experience.

• Minimum of two years’ supervisory experience.

• Experience in an AZA accredited institution a plus.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Ability and experience in team building and fostering a positive, collaborative working environment.

• Demonstrated experience working with Veterinarians and working knowledge of common medical procedures.

• Experience with animal management plans, policies and tools, such as ISIS, animal escape and recapture , enrichment and training , and collection planning.

• Technical and practical knowledge of the care and maintenance of animal habitats.

• Experience participating in the design of exhibit/habitas and animal care facilities.

• Experience with inquiry-based, informal educational programs using wildlife collections.

• Strong oral and written communication, along with active listening skills.

• Excellent problem resolution skills.

• Ability to operate heavy equipment safely, and to train staff on equipment operation, as needed.