Join the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium (CZA), a leader in animal care, wildlife conservation, sustainability, education, and community engagement, and play a pivotal role in advancing our mission in Empowering People. Saving Wildlife. We accomplish this by inspiring every visitor, with wildlife, every day by providing opportunities to be close enough to care.

As the Assistant Curator of Elephants, you will lead our world-class elephant program, working closely with the Curator to execute the Zoo’s vision for elephant sustainability, progressive care, and safety.

In this dynamic role, you’ll be at the forefront of a team that shapes the future of Asian elephant care and conservation. Collaborating with fellow curators and animal care staff, you will help drive forward a cutting-edge breeding program that not only focuses on the wellbeing and sustainability of elephants but also leads the way in advancing animal welfare across AZA-accredited zoos.

As the Assistant Curator, you will ensure that the Zoo meets and exceeds the AZA’s rigorous standards of elephant care, fostering an environment where innovation and compassion come together. You will be a key player in the ongoing evolution of an elephant program that is not only a model for excellence but also contributes to the long-term sustainability and preservation of elephants worldwide.

Take the next step in your career and make a lasting impact on the future of elephant care at the Columbus Zoo, a leader in animal conservation and well-being.

Animal Care & Wellbeing

• Assists the curator in creating, implementing, and managing policies relating to the overall care and well-being of the region’s animal and plant collection (e.g., animal health, medical treatment, development of husbandry protocols, animal nutrition, enrichment, and other activities related to animal and plant care).
• Ensures area compliance with animal wellbeing best practices and all professional standards. Manages and assists/organizes/ensures compliance with USDA, AZA, AAMPA, and ZAA inspections/accreditations.
• Ensures area compliance with Asian elephant animal wellbeing best practices and all professional standards.
• Makes recommendations to the curator regarding modifications to all aspects of animal care including husbandry, diet, training, enrichment, habitat redesign, record-keeping, and operational efficiencies. Works with the curator to implement all new changes.
• Supports the Curator in developing short-term and long-term objectives for the animal collection, educational graphics, conservation initiatives, research, visitor amenities and services, and habitat enhancements.
• Oversees the development and documentation of the region’s enrichment program, ensuring opportunities for animals to engage in natural behaviors.
• Effectively and efficiently oversees, advises, and supports animal training for husbandry purposes using operant conditioning techniques, positive reinforcement, and building resiliency. Responsible for tracking behavioral husbandry consistency and progress for the region.
• Initiates wellbeing assessments and facilitates those opportunities, working with the team to develop action plans for all opportunities identified during the wellbeing assessment process.
• Serves as the liaison to the Conservation Medicine department. Oversees or delegates planning and coordination of veterinary procedures.
• Supports the Curator with animal acquisitions/dispositions, including the review of recommendations, completion of paperwork, logistical preparations, and physical transport.
• Assists with the development and updating of all departmental documents, including (but not limited to) species-specific SOPs and guidelines, breeding and rearing protocols, training plans, and safety manuals.

Staff Management & Development:

• Supervises staff in daily operations, issues instructions (written and verbal) for completion of all required work, determines performance standards and work objectives, and identifies staff development opportunities.
• Assists the curator with the selection and hiring of all full- and part-time team members.
• Oversees the hiring, evaluation, and budgetary management of seasonal staff.
• Oversees staff training and clearance to work in specific areas/species in the region.
• Sets individual goals for each member of the team and coaches professional development accordingly.
• Identifies and acts upon disciplinary issues, while holding staff accountable to policies.
• Responsible for the development of staff schedules and approval of time off requests.
• Holds regularly scheduled staff meetings within the region and attends required Zoo-wide staff meetings.
• Performs staff duties and related tasks within the region to maintain intimate knowledge of daily operations for the department—up to 20% of work hours per week.

Operations, Budget & Planning:

• Assists the curator with the development and implementation of the annual operation plan as it relates to guest experiences.
• Oversees the creation of work orders and prioritizes their need as related to animal and staff wellbeing.
• Assists the curator in the development and oversight of zoo projects, including the construction of new habitats or the upgrading of existing facilities to support animal wellbeing.
• Responsible for staying informed on all aspects of the region through the monitoring of daily records and ensuring the staff is appropriately recording required information.

Representation, Outreach & Other Responsibilities:

• Acts as Curator on Duty when scheduled. Assumes the leadership role during times of animal or other zoo emergencies as needed.
• Represents the Zoo nationally and/or internationally when requested.
• Submits articles to zoo-related publications.
• Implements sustainable practices in daily tasks whenever possible.
• Constantly strives to further the mission of the organization and avidly supports the Columbus Zoo Family of Parks.

Operations, Compliance & Safety:

• Assists with the development and updating of all departmental documents, including (but not limited to) species-specific SOPs and guidelines, breeding and rearing protocols, training plans, and safety manuals.
• Ensures compliance with all Zoo safety protocols and policies. Ensures the safety of self, animals, co-workers, and visitors through the implementation and oversight of departmental and zoo-wide policies.

Education & Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• B.S. in life sciences or equivalent required. Equivalent work experience may be substituted for degree.
• Minimum 8-10 years working with Asian elephants.
• Experience in leading and managing a work team. Minimum two years’ experience.
• Experience with interpreting and meeting professional standards. Minimum one-year experience required.
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge managing an elephant program, including breeding, foot care, wellbeing, and safety.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with professional standards related to the AZA and ZAA.
• Ability to ensure institutional compliance with professional standards through the AZA, and ZAA.

Animal Care & Wellbeing Knowledge:

• Proficient in AZA Standards for elephant care.
• Knowledge of animal and conservation issues.
• Knowledge of animal husbandry, wildlife laws, and zoo exhibitry are required.
• Ability to stay current and follow all related institutional safety protocols as assigned.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with professional standards related to animal care and wellbeing, including the specifics of Asian elephant care.

Skills & Abilities:

• Ability to successfully lead a team.
• Ability to work as a team with other staff members.
• Ability to communicate well both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to plan and organize work in an efficient and cost-effective manner and without direct supervision.
• Ability to provide excellent guest service by positively interacting with guests to empower people to save wildlife.
• Ability to develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with all Zoo team members and contacts regarding company business.
• Ability to adhere to standard operating procedures, including but not limited to safety protocols.
• Ability to work a non-standard work week, including non-paid overtime, weekend work, evening work as needed, and be on call 24 hours a day to respond to issues related to the region as required.
• Ability to remain current with certifications, including C.P.R./First Aid and S.C.U.B.A. (if required), and ability to pass any relevant exams or safety protocols.

Licenses & Certifications:

• C.P.R./First Aid certification ability to obtain within the first year.
• S.C.U.B.A. certification required (if assigned duties include diving).
• Possession of a valid state-issued motor vehicle operator’s license and a good driving record required.
• Proof of negative TB screening prior to placement and annually thereafter required.
• Ability to adhere to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium’s drug-free workplace policy, including but not limited to pre-employment, random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, and follow-up treatment required.
• Ability to successfully complete a criminal history background check annually required.