Marine Mammals and Birds Supervisor, New York Aquarium @ Employer

Job Description

Department: Animal Programs/Marine Mammals and Birds

Position Title: Supervisor of Marine Mammals and Birds

Reports to: Director of Animal Programs

Direct Reports: Aquatheater Trainers and Sea Cliffs Wild Animal Keepers

Employment Type: Full-Time

Status: Exempt

Schedule: Tuesday to Saturday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Salary: $82,000 - $87,000

About Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)

WCS stands for wildlife and wild places. As the world’s premier wildlife conservation organization, WCS has a long track record of achieving innovative, impactful results at scale. We run field programs spanning 60 countries and the entire ocean. We build on a unique foundation: Our reach is global; we discover through best-in-class science; we protect through work on the ground with local and indigenous people; we inspire through our world-class zoos, aquarium, and education programs; and we leverage our resources through partnerships and powerful policy influence. Our more than 4,000 diverse, passionately committed team members in New York City and around the world work collectively to achieve our conservation mission.

Position Summary

Supervise daily operation of husbandry staff in the Marine Mammals and Birds division of the NYA Animal Department

Principal Responsibilities

• Supervise the overall daily operation of the Sea Cliffs Exhibit and Aquatheater complex, including supervision of keepers/trainers, seasonal workers, interns, and volunteers.
• Establish and maintain protocols for animal care, keeper/trainer safety, and the use and maintenance of equipment in the exhibits, associated facilities, and service areas in coordination with other supervisors and managers.
• Ensure that all procedures and operations meet or exceed all governmental regulations and adhere to WCS and A1A standards.
• Supervise daily care of animals in the Marine Mammals and Birds installations.
• Provide leadership and instruction to keepers/trainers and other animal department staff in the various duties essential for the safe and proper care of the animals, including implementation of established protocols for animal care, exhibits, and related systems and service areas.
• Communicate and train staff when procedures and protocols are modified/updated. Nutrition: Ensure that all animals are receiving proper feeding/nutrition.
• Collaborate with other Animal Department managers, veterinarians, and the consulting nutritionist to review/modify diets as necessary.
• Work with the Assistant to the Director of Animal Programs to ensure an adequate inventory of food Is maintained for the aquarium's mammals and birds.

Behavioral husbandry

• Establish and maintain standards and protocols for behavioral husbandry/training programs including, but not limited to, goal setting, development and approval of training plans, staff development, and program assessment.
• Ensure that animals develop and maintain an agreed repertoire of behaviors that support effective husbandry and veterinary care, as well as show behaviors for those animals in Aquatheater programs.
• Observe training sessions and provide input to department Trainers/Keepers. Collaborate with staff to anticipate animal behavioral issues and develop plans to prevent or address such issues.
• Enrichment: Establish and maintain standards and protocols for a robust animal enrichment program including, but not limited to, goal setting, review/approval of proposed enrichment, implementation, and assessment/revision.
• Aquatheater:

Produce professional pinniped stadium shows, employing all elements necessary to educate guests about animals and conservation, and to promote the mission of the Wildlife Conservation Society.

• These elements include script writing, which employ easily accessible science to inspire conservation and appreciation for wild animals and the world we share with them.
• Assign staff to train behaviors that are respectful of the animals, while drawing in guests with a fun and educational experience.
• Instruct staff to train show behaviors and sessions that are consistently enriching and stimulating experiences for the animals.

Obtain props, design costumes, and direct performances to achieve maximum production value.

Ambassador Animal Programs

• Develop and maintain fee-based Animal Encounter programs in collaboration with WCS Business Services.
• Develop protocols to ensure programs are educational, safe, and enriching for the ambassador animals.

Ensure Ambassador Animal programs comply with current A2A Accreditation standards.

• Collaborate with the Director of Facilities and the Director of Animal Programs to ensure a safe work environment.
• Accept responsibility for staff, guest, and animal safety by bringing potentially unsafe situations to the attention of the Director of Animal Programs, Directors of Facilities and Security, and Animal Programs staff.
• Collaborate with the Director of Animal Programs to develop the collection plan and to coordinate transporting animals to and from the New York Aquarium in support of the plan.
• These duties include extensive communication with the sending/receiving organization.
• Facilitate all physical logistics, in accordance to USDA, IATA, and A2A regulations and standards to ensure animal safety and welfare.
• Provide supervision for other Animal Department work groups (e.g., fishes, sharks) as assigned, (e.g. regular days off, vacation, sick days for other supervisors).
• Work with the Director of Facilities and the Director of Plant Engineering to maintain the life support systems and physical integrity of the Sea Cliffs exhibit, Aquatheater, and Sea Lion Compound.
• Submit work requests for repairs and construction needs.
• Monitor progress and review/approve completed work.
• Collaborate with the WCS Aquatic Animal Health department, communicating animal health concerns, establishing and maintaining preventive medicine and safety protocols, and implementing prescribed treatment plans in order to provide consistent, high quality animal health care.
• Order supplies including uniforms, items necessary for husbandry and maintenance functions, and necessities for animal transports.
• Demonstrate and promote effective and respectful communication between all staff members.
• Work with fellow Supervisors and the Director of Animal Programs to ensure best practices within all divisions of the Animal Department.
• Collaborate with the Dive Safety Officer to provide logistical assistance and staffing for SCUBA maintenance of area pools.
• Oversee the completion of all records required for USDA, A2A, or other relevant organization or government agency.
• Help prepare materials for AZA accreditation applications.
• Organize and document safety drills such as animal escape, dive safety, and evacuation drills quarterly.
• Prepare and maintain bimonthly payroll sheets and staff accrual records.
• Establish staff work schedules and review and process time off requests to ensure the Mammal and Birds installations are adequately staffed each day. vacation drills quarterly.
• Interact with the media when requested, presenting a positive image for the New York Aquarium and the Wildlife Conservation Society. ·
• Collaborate with the Aquarium's Education Department to develop and support effective education programs.
• Represent WCS in a professional manner, establish and maintain positive, effective working relationships with employees, colleagues, City and other government agencies, outside contractors, and the general public.
• Actively support, advance, and uphold WCS policies regarding Equal Employment Opportunity, and Diversity, Equity, Access, and Inclusion.
• Maintain extensive knowledge of all animals in the area, on both a species and individual level.

Qualification Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in biology or a related field.
• At least 8 years experience in a zoo/aquarium or other relevant animal care environment with a track record of increasing responsibility.
• At least 4 years of senior or lead animal care experience.
• Experience working directly with marine mammals in a zoo/aquarium, rescue/rehabilitation center, or other related facility.
• Ability and willingness to work weekends, holidays, evenings, and special events as schedule demands.
• Experience working with volunteers preferred.
• Active membership in professional associations {e.g. A2A, IAATE) preferred.
• Must have a current, valid driver's license.
• Scuba Certification.

Physical Requirements

• The position requires work in office environments as well as outdoor work in all weather conditions (including cold water).
• Must pass AAUS-compliant dive physical and swim
• test (400 yards in 12 minutes) within six months of hire.
• Tasks require manual dexterity and ability to safely use tools (e.g. computer keyboard, manual tools) and operate equipment (e.g. operation/manipulation of dive gear, mobile radios).
• Some tasks require climbing, kneeling, bending, navigating uneven terrain, and moderate lifting up to 50 pounds

Equal Employment Opportunity Disclaimer

WCS is an equal opportunity employer, and the organization complies with all employment and labor laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination in hiring and ensures that candidates from all backgrounds are fairly and consistently considered during the recruitment process. We are dedicated to hiring and engaging in a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and looking for future team members who share that same value. The organization provides equal employment opportunities for all qualified candidates. The organization does not discriminate for employment based on gender, race/ethnicity, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, caste, genetic information or any other covered status or characteristic protected by laws and regulations/and similar categories.

It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that we do not tolerate discrimination or harassment based upon a person’s membership in one of these protected categories in areas such as recruitment, selection, job assignment, supervision, training, promotions, promotions, job grading, transfers, termination, compensation, benefits, educational opportunities, WCS sponsored recreational activities and facilities. The organization complies with the spirit and intent of relevant local laws and WCS’s employment policies.

Note that the salary offer will reflect the selected candidate’s individual experiences, skills and qualifications, internal equity, work location and country of work.

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