Animal Care Coordinator

Job description / Role

Job Purpose:

This position is required to enhance integrity of different functions within assigned area. It is also required to enhance proper planning and budgeting process for the department. Coordinators role is also aiming to standardize work procedures and policies among different functions within assigned area.

Key Tasks and Duties:

•Supervise staff at the level designated by senior management.

•Develop and mentor progress of UAE National staff.

•Evaluates, adjusts and coordinates husbandry standards and techniques applied to an assigned animal collection according to a zoo master plan.

•Plans, oversees, directs implementation and coordination of animal husbandry programs, reproduction, neonatal care, introductions, moves, restraints and shipments; regularly inspects and observes assigned collection for overall health and welfare.

•Ensures dietary requirements of the assigned collection are met and fulfilled.

•Discusses morbidity and mortality with veterinary and pathology staff.

•Manages and evaluates the performance of animal supervisory staff as assigned.

•Oversees and participates in the preparation and maintenance of a variety of collection records required for collection management

•Assures the meeting of legal requirements in collection management as well as domestic and international shipping of animals; develops new techniques as required to meet animal shipment regulations; may assist in the acquisition of permits.

•Maintains a variety of contacts in order to respond to inquiries and requests and to effectively coordinate collection maintenance and management activities.

•Assures effective organizational communication and team building, provides specialized training relative to collection husbandry.

•Resolves problems and complaints referred by teams and staff including conflicts in priority and across the organization.

•Executes, and under direction may implement, animal sales, loans, trades and purchases according to zoocollection master plan.

•Assures use of appropriate animal handling, shipment, management and training methodologies for the collection, assures appropriate training of staff in techniques of animal management and transfer.

•Participates in studbook updates and committees.

•Participates in exhibit and facility planning, research and design.

•Recommends exhibit design relative to management and husbandry requirements of species to be incorporated.

•Recommends signage and graphics.

•Maintains a variety of classification appropriate contacts in order to respond to inquiries and requests and to effectively coordinate collection husbandry and maintenance activities.

•Prepares and makes presentations

•Conducts special tours as required.

•Assures assigned animal collection operations comply with established protocols, professional standards and government regulations.

•Adheres to the organization’s policies and practices.

•Exemplifies the highest standard of work ethics.

•Ensure proper training and capacity building for senior keepers and keepers is on-going.

•Any other relevant duties assigned by the line manager.

•Undertakes similar or related duties where appropriate.

•Follow all AWPR EHS policies and procedures.

Requirements

•Bachelor’s Degree in Zoology, Animal Science, Wildlife Management or other related field

•Minimum of 10 years working experience with exotic animals(mammals, birds and reptiles) and out of these minimum of 4 years working experience as supervisor.

•Animal management and husbandry skills

•Exhibit design and maintenance desirable

•Manage supervisory staff

•Communicate in English effectively (verbal and written)

•Develop short and long-range strategic and tactical plans

•Professional management skills

•Professional planning skills

•Leadership skills

•Reporting skills

•Interpersonal communication skills

About the Company

In a unique desert setting on the edge of Al Ain, a historic oasis settlement in the United Arab Emirates, the Al Ain Wildlife Park & Resort is a place for people to come and learn about arid land wildlife and conservation through vivid, first hand experience.

The aim is to evolve the resort AWPR into a showcase for sustainable living in harmony with nature and wildlife that will be known all over the world. As well as creating a highly attractive destination, we are also committed to the increasingly important and never ending scientific challenge of conserving desert and plant life.