Animal Care Program Manager
2 days ago
Clearwater
Job Description POSITION DESCRIPTION POSITION TITLE: Animal Connection Program Manager REPORTS TO: Director of Animal Care SUPERVISES: Supervises all staff, interns and volunteers within the Animal Connection Program EXEMPT OR NON-EXEMPT : Exempt PERCENTAGE OF FULL TIME EMPLOYMENT: 100% PERMANENT/SEASONAL/TEMPORARY: Temporary LOCATION: On-Site PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY: The Animal Connection Program Manager will support and oversee the goals and objectives of the Animal Care department by performing the responsibilities including but not limited to the following standards of operations and care identified in this position description. The Manager will be responsible for directing the work of supervisors, staff and volunteers, and interns managing both work and workers, getting projects completed on time, keeping costs within budget and maintaining established quality standards for animal care operations. Responsible for orienting and training employees, hourly wage recommendations, job safety, guest safety, equal opportunity compliance, discipline and promotion recommendations to senior management. The Manager will act as the liaison between the Animal Connection Program and the other departments at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. The Manager will assist the Supervisor with developing plans and projects to enhance staff knowledge and advance training techniques while maintaining safety. Responsibilities also include communicating and coordinating with the Vet Services team in all aspects of animal care for connection animals. Additionally, the Manager is responsible for assisting the department director with the government permitting and walkthroughs/inspections. Management of this collection will be in accordance with all applicable federal, state, local laws and in conjunction with CMA policies and procedures. The incumbent will serve as a role model for the team with the goal of offering unique experiences to connect our guests with mission based conservation initiatives. This position requires passion, commitment and the ability to inspire others to develop a greater appreciation of animals and their role in our ecosystem. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS • Ensure the animals listed under the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Animal Connection program are properly cared for while demonstrating the ability to follow all laws and requirements by federal or state agencies to include permitting and reporting., • Follow safe policies and provide a safe working environment for the animals, team, and guests of CMA., • Demonstrate strong communication skills with a clear, friendly, and effective verbal and nonverbal communication., • Exhibit and mentor great problem solving and time-management skills with ability to plan, organize, and prioritize multiple tasks at once., • Be diligent in a fast-paced environment with a full schedule and changing priorities., • Possess the ability to teach anatomy, natural history, training using operant conditioning, proper handling, and environmental enrichment through provided reading material, observation and department training., • Identify areas of improvement and present creative solutions to management., • Ensure all personnel within the animal care team is thoroughly and properly trained in the following:, • Training techniques, • Animal welfare, • Maintenance schedules, • Creation, implementation, and conditioning of EEDs, • Pro-active behavior management, • Aggression prevention, • Assess the effectiveness of the training and enrichment of animal behavior and welfare., • Help facilitate the animal enrichment initiatives, by coordinating with the supervisor to identify and outline goals and objectives to best serve the animals welfare., • Ensure proper administration of medications to all animals as prescribed by the veterinarian., • Facilitate the overall development of the Animal Connection Program staff, interns, and volunteers., • Responsible for ensuring that all members of the Animal Connection Program are thoroughly and properly trained on all policies and protocols pertaining to the animal care department., • Organize government checks for assigned areas to ensure compliance with all regulations pertaining to the Animal Connection department., • Understand, enforce and provide suggested updates on all department and assigned facility SOPs., • Maintain government paperwork for animal collection including food preparation, checklists, behavioral charts, and permits., • Supervise public activities related to Animal Connection animals including, but not limited to, demonstrations, encounters, media, and enrichment., • Responsible for proper staffing through effective scheduling., • Oversight of food preparation and dietary needs related to connection animals., • Maintenance of exhibits to highest standard outlined by governing agencies, ensuring that aesthetics as well as animal welfare are the primary focus., • Maintenance of animal records., • Takes an active role in both concept and design of new animal presentations, working in conjunction with guest experience and other departments as needed., • Teach awareness of stage presence and performance through active participation., • Promoting, developing and completing research projects as opportunities arise., • Design, implement, and conduct animal interactions., • Responsible for all employee and volunteer evaluations as established by HR policies., • Responsible for maintaining employee morale and motivation throughout the department., • Interviewing and making recommendations for staff additions., • Promote open communication between management and all team members of the department, making them aware of daily priorities and changes., • Oversee the volunteer and internship programs., • Office work and other organizational tasks as required., • To perform other duties as workload necessitates., • Demonstrate efficiency in computer related tasks or assignments, including but not limited to data entry, MS Office, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, • Assist with grant writing as needed, • Assist with research projects as needed, • Assist with creating ways to fund projects, • Assist with other Animal Care initiatives as warranted EDUCATION/ EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: • Must have at least six consecutive years of recent animal care experience with a minimum of 2 years as a Supervisor or equivalent., • Experience with terrestrial and aquatic species preferred., • Bachelor’s degree in behavioral sciences, a related field, or equivalent experience preferred., • Must hold a valid driver’s license., • Current CPR and First Aid certifications preferred, • Ability to pass an annual swim test PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: • Lift up to 50lbs to waist level - Frequently, • Lift up to 20lbs to shoulders and above head – Frequently, • Ability to work in, but not limited to extreme heat, cold, high humidity, direct sunlight, rain, wind, and other outdoor conditions - Daily, • Walk/stand for long periods of time - Frequently, • Maneuver safely on uneven terrain or in tight spaces - Frequently, • Safely climb ladders when needed – Moderate Frequency, • Squat, bend, kneel, twist and reach - Frequently, • Reach above the shoulders - Frequently, • Push and pull larger equipment – Frequently, • Work outdoors in all weather conditions and adapt to changing weather – Frequently, • Work indoors, under cover without air conditioning or heat – Frequently All job requirements are subject to change to reflect the evolving position requirements or to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a threat or risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to which will be required in this position. Employees will be required to follow other job-related duties as requested by their supervisor/manager (within guidelines and compliance with Federal and State Laws). A statement of “temporary” position is not a guarantee of employment. It simply means the role has a set end date (typically up to 1 year) and/or has deliverables to be met and if those deliverables are not met the position may be terminated. In Florida, employment is "at-will" by default, meaning either party can terminate the relationship at any time for any legal reason and as such continued employment remains on an “at-will” basis. The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer, and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor. Clearwater Marine Aquarium participates in E-Verify, please view the Notice of E-Verify Participation and the Notice of Right to Work.