Assistant Curator

Department: Park Services- Zoo                                                  Full-time Hourly/ Non-exempt

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Zoo Manager, performs skilled tasks related to daily zoo operations, animal care and park programming and maintenance.  Effectively leads crews up to 20 staff, volunteers and interns. Focused on leading the daily operations, inventory and safety management, and animal care programs.  

Essential Responsibilities

General Operations

• Leads and instructs part-time staff and interns to achieve maximum productivity.
• Monitors animal health conditions and directs any medical concerns to Zoo Manager. Provides veterinary care to animals. Assists veterinarian with procedures including surgery, births, euthanasia, and restraining of animals requiring care.
• Lead animal welfare tasks and committees.
• Handles cash, credit and other financial transactions.
• Computer knowledge including Microsoft Suite, Google Workspace, Animal Care Software, Homebase and additional programs as needed.
• Plans, evaluates, prioritizes, directs, supervises and organizes multiple tasks simultaneously. Judiciously allocates staff, materials, tools and equipment.
• Review daily tasks to ensure compliance with care and maintenance objectives.
• Completes inspections, reports, and records that are accurate and timely.            
• Supports and works to achieve the Mission Statement, Goals and Objectives of the Dundee Township Park District and the Randall Oaks Zoo & Park.
• Highly skilled in customer relations.  Regularly interacts with customers at the Zoo, Park and program participants.  Cognizant and compliant with customer service standards, policies and procedures.  Cooperatively and positively collaborates with staff and patrons.
• Maintains material and supply inventories.
• Complies with all safety and loss prevention policies.  Must always utilize required Personal Protective Equipment.  Informs supervisor of any unsafe conditions or hazardous work procedures.  Corrects any unsafe conditions, if possible, and instructs co-workers on safety procedures.

Marginal / Occasional Functions

  A. Performs inspection and maintenance on:

• • trucks, tractors, a variety of small engine powered equipment
  • signs
  • flowerbeds, trees, shrubs, turf
  • walks and parking lots including snow removal and traffic control
  • miscellaneous park amenities such as benches and fencing

Administration/Budget

• Ensures compliance with budgetary limits.
• On an ongoing basis, recommend any cost saving procedures thought necessary and continually monitor operations for needed planned budget expenditures to maintain a high quality of service level.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Manages staff in relation to animal care
• Manages interns within the internship program

Communication & Customer Service

• Communicates and demonstrates DTPD’s Mission to staff ensuring understanding.
• Develops and maintains positive and effective working relationship with coworkers and to promote and maintain high morale and enthusiasm.
• Demonstrates commitment to organizational team values. Accountability, Communication, Connected to Community, Integrity, Team Oriented
• Ensures that matters of importance are shared to staff in a timely manner.
• Solicits feedback and actively listens to subordinates, peers and patrons.

• Makes recommendations for improvements and efficiencies.
• Attends meetings and participates on teams or committees as required.
• Employee represents the Dundee Township Park District in a professional manner.

Safety & Risk Management

• Maintains a working knowledge of all general and departmental-specific safety rules.
• Immediately reports all accidents and unsafe conditions to the supervisor.
• Cooperates and assists in the investigation of accidents.
• Attends all required safety program and in-service education meetings.
• Treats public complaints and concerns with the utmost attention. Is courteous in all cases.
• Pays strict attention to housekeeping of work area(s) and general facility.
• Hold a current first aid/CPR certificate and keep staff current also.

QUALIFICATIONS (KSA) & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Educations:        

• Bachelor’s degree in related field (Animal Science, Biology, Animal Behavior, Conservation Biology, Zoology) is required.

Experience:

• Five years of increasingly responsible experience in professional animal care field is required. Ability to read, understand and apply technical information and manuals.
• Knowledge of current Veterinary Practices, or Wildlife Management techniques is desired.
• Knowledge of Animal Record Keeping software is desired.
• Working knowledge of AZA Accreditation Standards is desired.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of animal care, park maintenance, education and guest services.  
• Knowledge of applicable safety and OSHA regulations.
• Evidence of continuing education through trade schools, seminars and workshops directly related to the field.
• Speak, write, read the English language fluently.  Communication in Spanish desirable.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• A working knowledge of the principles and practices of personnel management and an elementary knowledge of budget preparation.
• Good physical condition, sufficient strength, and mobility required.
• Experience in Microsoft Office Suite. Ability to learn additional software and systems required for business transactions.
• Possess good problem solving skills and has capacity to act rationally and calmly in high stress and/or emergencies.
• Ability to pay meticulous attention to detail.
• Ability to execute the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Hours Standards

Non-exempt full-time year-round position normally working 40 hours per week.  Scheduled days are Tuesday-Saturday, 7:00-3:30 pm. Days and times may vary due to Zoo events.