Curator, Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park

About the Saint Louis Zoo:

 The world-renowned Saint Louis Zoo is and AZA accredited institution dedicated to saving species and bringing people and wildlife together. Home to over 16,000 animals, many of which are endangered. Entry is free every day for everyone, an important part of our commitment to people and animals – always.

The Zoo is committed to the Three Keys (Animals Always, People Matter, and Operational Excellence) and Core Values (Community, Creativity, Openness, Integrity, and Life-Work Balance.

Learn more at: https://stlzoo.org/

  Position Summary

Join us in shaping the future of zoological animal care and wildlife conservation as the inaugural Curator of WildCare Park at the Saint Louis Zoo. At this transformative moment in the Zoo's history, the WildCare Park Curator will have the extraordinary opportunity to:

• Be a part of the team that launches a world-class 425-acre wildlife safari destination in 2027.
• Design immersive experiences and programs that will inspire the guests’ connection with wildlife.
• Spearhead vital ex situ and in situ conservation programs for endangered species, including rare ungulates and critically endangered American red wolves.
• Build and lead an expert team of animal care professionals that cover both the WildCare Park and the Zoo’s Sears Lehmann, Jr. Wildlife Reserve campuses.

The WildCare Park Curator will work alongside the WildCare Park General Curator to lead the Animal Care team and implement the long-term vision for both WildCare Park and the Wildlife Reserve. They will bring substantial leadership experience and a demonstrated commitment to excellence in animal care. The WildCare Park Curator will lead an exceptional team of animal care professionals in the care and conservation of diverse species including ungulates, marsupials, birds, and native wildlife. Their sphere of influence will extend beyond WildCare Park to include the Zoo's 355-acre Wildlife Reserve in Franklin County and its American Red Wolf conservation initiative.

The ideal candidate for this position embodies the Zoo's core values. Their leadership style will foster a positive, empowered, diverse, and inclusive environment. They play a crucial role in developing the next generation of zoological professionals through mentorship and training programs. As a key leader, the WildCare Park Curator will collaborate with cross-functional teams spanning across three campuses, including Animal Health, Nutrition Services, Research, and Facilities Maintenance, to create innovative approaches to wildlife care and conservation.

This position offers the extraordinary opportunity to create meaningful connections between our community and wildlife, offering memorable guest experiences and storytelling to inspire empathy for animals and to support our local, regional and global conservation mission.

Essential Functions

Leadership and Team Development

• Model the Zoo's Three Keys and CCOIL Core Values at all times.
• Create and maintain a positive, inclusive work environment while providing leadership, coaching, and mentoring for the growing WildCare Park Animal Care team.
• Oversee comprehensive training programs for zoological managers, keepers, interns, and volunteers, including classroom instruction and on-the-job training.
• Participate in departmental administration, including personnel management, budgeting, and facility oversight.
• Foster collaborative relationships across a three-campus organization to maintain efficient, cohesive and synergistic operations.
• Collaborate with colleagues from other international, national and regional conservation organizations.
• Provide support and leadership to AZA through volunteer program and committee service.

Animal Care and Conservation

• Develop and oversee programs that achieve the highest standards of animal wellbeing through exemplary care, training, enrichment, and social management, in alignment with the unique goals of the animal conservation programs at WildCare Park and the Wildlife Reserve.
• Create and, as needed, update occupational safety and animal protocols and contingency plans.
• Manage animal collections according to occupational safety and animal care protocols and reintroduction requirements, ensuring compliance with AZA, USDA, and USFWS standards.
• Lead the implementation of AZA SSP, AZA SAFE, and USFWS program recommendations.
• Oversee native wildlife monitoring and habitat restoration programs.
• Collaborate with international, national, and regional conservation organizations.
• Participate in and promote WildCare Institute Centers and Programs, recovery/reintroduction initiatives and AZA SAFE programs related to the animals at WildCare Park and the Wildlife Reserve.

Operational Excellence

• Think innovatively, work collaboratively, communicate proactively with internal and external stakeholders in a fast-paced, evolving environment to contribute to the design, development, construction and operation of WildCare Park and the Wildlife Reserve.
• Serve as an ambassador for the Saint Louis Zoo, WildCare Park, the Wildlife Reserve, the animals and the community at all times, including internally within the Zoo, in the media, at professional conferences and at local community events.
• Assist the General Curator in annual operating and capital budget planning and management.
• Manage animal dietary programs, including ordering, receiving, and quality control of supplies.
• Oversee animal habitat design, construction and maintenance projects to enhance the animal living spaces, in partnership with architecture and facilities maintenance teams.
• Contribute to the enhancement of the overall guest experience at WildCare Park.
• Participate in fundraising efforts, including capital campaign donor tours and grant writing.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; therefore, the WildCare Park Curator may be asked to perform other reasonably related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in animal science, conservation, ecology or another related field.
• Minimum five (5) years leadership experience in a zoological setting, preferably leading animal care professional team(s).
• Minimum five (5) years practical experience in care, management, and propagation of ungulates, wolves and/or birds at an AZA-accredited facility.
• Natural curiosity, willingness to learn, and open-mindedness towards innovative ideas.
• Demonstrated expertise in:
  • Multi-species habitat management.
  • Animal introductions and transports.
  • Operant conditioning and social management of individual animals and groups of animals.
  • Animal wellbeing assessment and enhancement.
  • Field conservation practices.
• Exemplary safety record and commitment to prioritize safety in the execution of all duties and responsibilities.
• Valid driver's license (Class E required upon hire).
• All successful candidates for this position will be required to submit to a criminal background check and drug test.
• COVID vaccinations are required for this position.

Leadership & Professional Competencies

• Commitment to the Zoo’s mission and its core values.
• Dedication to the Zoo’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Inclusion.
• Proven track record of building and leading high-performing teams.
• Ability to mentor and develop zoo professionals for the future.
• Positive mindset and an affinity for approaching challenges with a proactive, can-do mindset.
• Experience with multi-department collaboration and cross-functional leadership.
• Strong project management skills with ability to oversee concurrent initiatives.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking.
• Demonstrated problem-solving abilities, especially in animal care emergencies.
• Thorough knowledge of AZA, USDA, and USFWS regulations and requirements.

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in zoological software platforms (Species360, PMCTrack).
• Experience with video surveillance systems, animal tracking systems and emerging technologies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in multi-species habitat management in large-acreage spaces.
• Track record of successful grant writing and donor relations.
• Experience with construction or expansion projects.
• Demonstrated success in leading AZA population management programs.

Working Conditions and Physical Activities:

The conditions and physical activities described within this job description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, sit and walk for long periods. The employee must frequently bend, lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally bend, lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. WildCare Park and the Wildlife Reserve are large-acreage properties, so the ability to safely operate various vehicles and equipment is necessary. The employee is frequently required to work in diverse weather conditions.

Work Schedule:

Days off will be either Friday-Saturday or Sunday-Monday. Ability to work a flexible schedule, on holidays and evenings for animal procedures and events will be necessary at times.

About WildCare Park

 Opening in 2027, the Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park represents a transformative expansion of the Saint Louis Zoo's conservation mission. This 425-acre destination will pioneer innovative approaches to animal care and guest engagement. WildCare Park will feature two completely different, but complementary components. The first is what the guests will experience: an outdoor adventure that sends guests on a guided safari through herds of animals roaming wild over gently rolling prairies and through woodlands. The second component is the Kent Family Conservation and Animal Science Center, a dedicated non-public conservation facility within WildCare Park designed to sustain endangered and threatened species. Learn more about WildCare Park at: https://stlzoo.org/about/wildcare-park

 About the Wildlife Reserve

 The Saint Louis Zoo Sears Lehmann, Jr. Wildlife Reserve is a 355-acre natural area located 40 miles southwest of St. Louis in Franklin County. In 1993, the property was donated to the Zoo by Peggy Lehmann of St. Louis in honor of her late husband Sears Lehmann, Jr. She envisioned the property as an area for wildlife and as a future location where the Zoo might someday expand its conservation animal science programs. Since taking over the land, the Zoo has primarily preserved this property as a natural site for native Missouri wildlife. In 2021 the Zoo announced its plans to develop approximately 20 acres of the property to help American Red Wolf conservation efforts. American red wolves, a species native to North America, are at risk of extinction, with only about 20 left in the wild. The Zoo is now operating seven 1-acre habitats to support the American Red Wolf program and currently manages 16 wolves at this non-public facility in partnership with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the AZA SAFE - American Red Wolf program. Learn more about the Wildlife Reserve at: https://stlzoo.org/conservation/wildlife-reserve

About St. Louis, Mo:

 From Explore St. Louis: “Urban explorer, outdoor adventurer, aficionado of family fun – no matter your travel persona, you’ll find plenty to do in St. Louis. The city is brimming with free, world-class attractions and boasts and arts-and-culture scene that’s second to none. Plus, fans of fresh air will be surprised and delighted by our flourishing public parks, miles of trails and exhilarating waterways. Sprinkle in a bit of our secret sauce – the warmth and hospitality of the residents – and you’ll discover that St. Louis dishes up undeniably epic travel experiences. Don’t take our word for it, though. Come and see for yourself.” Learn more at https://explorestlouis.com/