Coordinator Animal Outreach and Training

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. This position is also required to standardize work procedures and policies among different functions within assigned area.

Job Scope:
The Coordinator performs all job assignments with a positive attitude that reflects Al-Ain Zoos mission and vision of connecting people to wildlife, conservation. The Coordinator is responsible for and oversees all aspects of the safe care, handling and training arrangements for the required animal collection as well outreach programs. This position will participate in preparation of the departmental annual work plans and budget as well as policies relevant to the assigned area of work.

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 training techniques applied to an assigned animal collection according to a zoo master plan.
- Coordinate activities among different animal training and outreach functions as per department annual work plans.
- Prepare annual work plans and budgets for the animal outreach and training functions.
- Plans, oversees, directs implementation and coordination of animal husbandry and training programs, 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 outreach and animal training staff or 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 training management activities.
- Assures effective organizational communication and team building, arranges specialized staff training relative to collection husbandry and training.
- 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 zoo collection master plan.
- Participates in studbook updates and committees.
- Participates in exhibit and facility planning, research and design.
- Recommends exhibit design relative to training 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, training 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 organizations policies and practices.
- Exemplifies the highest standard of work ethics.
- Ensure proper training arrangements and capacity building for senior keepers and keepers is on-going.
- Support Al Ain zoo UAE national career development program.
- Any other relevant duties assigned by the line manager.
- Undertakes similar or related duties where appropriate.
- Follow all Al Ain Zoo 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 in outreach and animal training.

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.