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Animal Care Manager
The Loft & My Big Backyard
Location
Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States
Work type
Onsite
Employment
Full Time
Experience
3-7 years
Compensation
$62.1K - $62.1K per year
Posted
2d ago
Summary and responsibilities
Role overview
Summary
The Animal Care Manager is a hands-on supervisory role supporting the day-to-day operations of the Animal Department. This position involves providing leadership, coaching, and operational oversight to ensure high standards of animal care, husbandry, employee and guest safety, and an excellent guest experience. The manager also promotes collaborative relationships and maintains accurate records within the zoo environment.
Position Summary
The Animal Care Manager is a hands-on supervisory member of the Animal Department leadership team responsible for daily operational oversight across assigned animal areas. Working alongside animal care staff, this role provides direction, coaching, and operational support to maintain high standards of husbandry, animal welfare, workplace safety, exhibit presentation, and guest engagement. The position models professional collaboration with staff, volunteers, partners, and visitors while upholding all institutional, regulatory, and AZA guidelines.
Responsibilities and Duties
Supervisory and Team Leadership
- Provide day-to-day oversight, onboarding, coaching, scheduling assistance, and performance feedback for animal care personnel in coordination with leadership and HR.
- Delegate daily duties equitably based on operational priorities and staff development goals.
- Document performance milestones, deliver timely coaching or corrective action, and contribute to performance appraisals.
- Communicate departmental expectations, operational adjustments, and institutional updates clearly and consistently.
- Support staff professional development and mentor team members across husbandry routines.
Animal Care and Operational Oversight
- Work directly in animal areas alongside staff, providing keeper coverage and operational support as needed across sections.
- Ensure strict adherence to departmental protocols, safety rules, USDA standards, OSHA requirements, and AZA guidelines.
- Support behavioral husbandry, operant conditioning, enrichment, and welfare assessment programs in coordination with veterinary and behavioral staff.
- Review daily keeper reports, medical tracking logs, and animal records to ensure accuracy, compliance, and timely updates.
- Monitor animal exhibits, holding areas, and service facilities for safety, cleanliness, and structural integrity; submit and track maintenance work orders.
- Maintain competency in animal capture, handling, physical restraint, emergency response drills, and equipment operation.
- Assist with collection management logistics, including animal moves, crating, transfers, and shipment documentation.
- Participate in interviewing, hiring, and department onboarding processes.
- Deliver guest presentations, support educational programming, and maintain professional public interactions.
- Assist with emergency response coordination, weather drills, and special events as required.
Qualifications and Requirements
- Minimum of 3 years of paid animal care experience in a professional zoo or comparable facility required.
- Prior experience supervising, coaching, or leading animal care staff strongly preferred.
- Bachelor's degree in Biology, Zoology, Animal Science, or a related discipline preferred.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to liaise across diverse teams and public audiences.
- Working knowledge of animal record systems, Microsoft Office Suite, and general office technologies.
- Proven sound decision-making skills regarding animal welfare, team safety, and emergency response.
- Strong problem-solving, time-management, and prioritization abilities under shifting operational demands.
- Valid driver's license with an insurable driving record.
- Flexibility to work rotating schedules, including weekends, holidays, early mornings, evenings, and emergency response.
Physical Demands and Working Conditions
- Ability to perform strenuous physical activity, including walking, standing, bending, crouching, climbing stairs/ladders, and handling equipment.
- Ability to lift and carry up to 70 pounds using proper body mechanics.
- Work occurs across indoor offices, animal holding areas, and outdoor zoo grounds subject to extreme temperatures, rain, and humidity.
- Regular exposure to animal odors, zoonotic risks, cleaning chemicals, noise, and moving mechanical equipment; use of PPE is required as designated.
Updated 2d ago
Candidate fit
Skills and qualifications
Additional skills
Experience
3-7 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
$62.1K - $62.1K per year
Benefits and perks
Location, schedule, and role shape
Work setup
Work conditions
Bandwidth profile
Context on the employer
Company snapshot
Company
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Team size
Growing team
Location
Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is a zoological park dedicated to providing exceptional animal care, promoting conservation, and offering an enriching experience for guests. The organization upholds high standards for animal husbandry, employee and guest safety, and fosters strong community engagement.
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Animal Care Manager
Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States • Full Time