Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

General Curator of Endotherms/Animal Departments & Exhibits (full-time)

Toledo Zoo & Aquarium 

May 27, 2025

The Toledo Zoo & Aquarium is currently seeking a General Curator of Endotherms to oversee, supervise, and coordinate operations and activities of the Mammal Departments and Bird Department ensuring compliance with applicable policies, procedures, rules and regulations. This position maintains responsibility for inspection of animals in collections, records for animal departments, allocation of human resources and departmental budgets/expenditures.

In addition, this role designs, implements, and ensures that all policies relating to the overall care and well-being of the collections, including the development of husbandry protocol and establishment of departmental job assignments, and other activities related to animal care are adhered to. The General Curator of Endotherms is tasked with challenging the team to ensure that priorities are established in support of the Zoo’s Vision and Mission statement.

Reporting to the Senior Vice-President and Chief Mission Officer, this position is exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act and requires time worked in excess of forty hours per week.

Essential Job Functions (View a comprehensive list in the attached job description)

• Plans, assigns and reviews work performance, acts on disciplinary problems, completes performance reviews of direct reports (Mammal and Bird Supervisors), recommends salary increases, interviews and selects candidates, and works with the Senior Vice-President and Chief Mission Officer to prepare formal long-range and professional development plans, along with mentoring and coaching of department employees.
• Working with the Senior Vice-President and Chief Mission Officer develops short-term and long-term department collection goals and strategies and makes recommendations to the Executive Director regarding collection composition, organization, exhibit concepts, design, construction and presentation and relevance to overall Zoo objectives, conservation directives and mission statement.
• Assures safety of staff, visitors, and animals through proper safety training and techniques around the animals, equipment and vehicles.
• Communicates and cooperates on all levels within the Zoo and implements policy as set forth by the Executive Director and Zoo management.
• Remains current on regulations and laws relating to the captive maintenance of animals and advises the Zoo management accordingly.  Performs necessary research, applications and communications as needed.
• Establishes and maintains relationships with the community, professional organizations, and other zoological institutions; performs and participates in public presentations, media interviews, special events and other public relations activities; represents the Zoo at conferences and professional meetings. 
• Processes written and verbal communications within and outside the Zoo in matters relating to the management of the collection, husbandry and animal health staff. Assists with making decisions in relation to animal health concerns, welfare issues, and general husbandry concerns.
• Coordinates communications in relation to animal acquisitions and dispositions.
• May serve as backup husbandry staff for department; conducts public tours; and attends offsite conferences.
• Participates in a wide variety of AZA conservation and administrative volunteer duties, as well as with other related professional groups.
• Represents the Toledo Zoo at relevant conferences and seminars.

Minimum Training and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Zoology, Biology, Wildlife Management or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in animal husbandry techniques. 
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience as a head keeper or curator.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in personnel management, finance, public speaking, public education and other related areas; or any equivalent combination of education and experience. 
• Must have a valid driver’s license and be insurable by the fleet insurance carrier.
• The Toledo Zoo is a drug-free workplace, including marijuana.
• Some evenings and on-call to respond to emergencies as necessary will be required.

The Toledo Zoo is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, creed, genetic information, sex, age, national origin, disability, military status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by law.  

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