Ectotherms Supervisor - Aquatics and Texas Native Species

This position will supervise the Zoo's aquatics and Texas native species within the Ectotherms Department. It leads and participates in complex work while overseeing staff and maintenance of a variety of animals and buildings, assists veterinary staff as needed, and performs a variety of technical tasks relative to assigned areas of oversight.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a positive team environment alongside supervisor peers and curators to oversee facilities, animals, staff, and conservation initiatives while providing optimal animal care and unique visitor experiences.
• Coordinate with supervisors and produce weekly staff work schedules, ensuring all areas are adequately staffed, venomous coverage is adequate, and all scheduled keeper/visitor interactions are performed.
• Communicate regularly with peers to oversee all staff and building operations; provide adequate supervisor coverage when other managers are absent.
• Properly maintain building systems, monitor equipment/vehicles, and submit maintenance orders as needed.
• Maintain inventory/ordering of building supplies, equipment, live food cultures, and food items.
• Ensure exhibits are pristine, interactive exhibits and electronics are functional, and public walkways are free of clutter and safety hazards.
• Conduct daily checks on all animal enclosures, paying special attention to feed cards, log sheets, general body condition and behavior of animals, cleanliness of enclosures, and general environmental parameters.
• Ensure keeper work areas are clean and supplied with appropriate equipment and building areas are kept free of clutter and debris.
• Implement a regular maintenance schedule for all life support system (LSS) functions; perform filter changes and backwashes as scheduled.
• Maintain standards and testing as directed in aquatic and terrestrial areas and ensure SOPs are current.
• Work with curators, veterinary/nutritional services, and staff to implement quarantine protocols, administer medical treatments, monitor health cases, and provide optimal welfare of animals.
• Train and oversee new staff as directed and assign appropriate duties; participate in venomous/dangerous animal training.
• Monitor work of assigned employees for accuracy, proper work methods, techniques and compliance with applicable standards and specifications.
• Assign or provide appropriate back‑up coverage as needed.
• Verify staff are maintaining adequate records and following protocols (e.g., daily TRACKs entries; feeding; diet changes; weighing; population censuses; egg incubation/tracking; animal behavior, training and enrichment; introductions and breeding; water chemistries; health assessments/monitoring; UV lighting; LSS maintenance, etc.).
• Guide implementation of breeding plans, seasonal hibernation schedules, and record keeping in concert with curators.
• Provide oversight of the department’s target species breeding plans and reports.
• Participate in conservation program field and research projects as requested.
• Assign animal sections to keeper staff as needed and ensure research and bio‑security protocols are implemented.
• Assist with animal shipments (e.g., pre‑shipment testing, packing, transport, etc.).
• Report safety hazards and keep a safe work environment for employees and volunteers, maintaining area equipment, MSDS binders, and safety kit supplies.
• Communicate orally with staff on a daily basis.
• Participate in coaching and disciplinary action of staff as needed.
• Mentor staff in husbandry skills, work efficiency, and time management.
• Conduct tours and interviews as requested.
• Fulfill other duties as assigned and those presented in the Animal Collections Supervisor job description.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Exercise supervision over assigned staff and volunteers for all areas of collection care and professional conduct.
• Participate in the selection, hiring, training and evaluation of staff.
• Monitor the work environment of staff and participate in the review and implementation of disciplinary action as needed with Curatorial and Human Resources staff.
• Schedule staff; maintain up‑to‑date standard operating procedures for assigned areas.
• Ensure a safe working environment for staff and animals.
• Demonstrate leadership through ongoing training covering applicable laws, zoo policies, business conduct, ethics, and the provision of quality services to guests and employees, supporting the highest level of program integrity.

Qualifications

• Must be 21 years of age or older.
• Valid driver’s license with an acceptable motor vehicle record to maintain zoo standards of insurability.
• Preferred: dive certified.
• Preferred: experience with freshwater and saltwater life support systems.
• Preferred: experience with reptile and amphibian husbandry, including venomous species.
• Ability to independently perform the most difficult animal care and handling duties.
• Ability to interpret, explain and enforce department policies and procedures.
• Ability to work independently in the absence of immediate supervision.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to maintain mental capacity for sound decision‑making, good judgment, and prioritizing work activities.
• Ability to foster