Summary:

The Animal Wellbeing & Training Lead Technician advances the Zoo’s animal welfare mission by leading science-based wellbeing assessments, behavior management strategies, and staff development initiatives. Under the Animal Wellbeing Manager’s direction, this role collaborates across departments to implement enrichment, training, and behavioral modifications that improve animal resilience and welfare outcomes. The Lead Technician also facilitates internal communication, contributes to policy alignment with AZA and USDA standards, and supports continuous professional development through targeted training programs. Additionally, they hold a leadership position on the Training & Enrichment Committee, guiding zoo-wide wellbeing practices and ensuring consistent expectations across animal areas.

Essential Job Functions:

• Lead and support the delivery of training and resources on animal wellbeing science, assessment tools, and best practices to enhance behavioral resilience and staff engagement.
• Build and strengthen staff capacity by guiding teams in interpreting wellbeing data, implementing improvements, monitoring corrective actions, and fostering a culture of continuous learning across the organization.
• Lead and facilitate regular, science-based animal wellbeing assessments across all zoo departments, establishing programs and trials to identify and address wellbeing deficits.
• Guide teams in setting realistic goals and implementing changes based on welfare assessments to continuously improve animal wellbeing outcomes.
• Facilitate cross-departmental communication and collaboration to promote a shared commitment to animal wellbeing, participating in meetings and supporting the Animal Wellbeing Team in documenting action items and follow-up.
• Stay current on AZA standards and lead their implementation zoo-wide by working directly with teams to improve animal resilience, wellbeing, and guest experience through behavioral management.
• Attend and actively contribute to animal care and welfare meetings, staying current on industry trends, enrichment techniques, and welfare science.
• Participate in welfare assessments, help identify challenges, and ensure all wellbeing practices meet or exceed AZA, USDA, and institutional standards.
• Collaborate closely with keepers and curators to implement behavior-based modifications and assist with training programs for animal department staff.
• Hold a leadership role within the Training & Enrichment Committee and maintain familiarity with various animal areas to set consistent, zoo-wide wellbeing expectations.

Minimum Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in biological sciences, wildlife biology, animal science, or related field.
• At least 3 years of experience in animal welfare, behavior, or related scientific research in zoological, aquarium, or wildlife settings.
• Minimum of 1 year experience mentoring or supervising staff in animal wellbeing or related programs.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• 2+ years of experience developing and leading staff in animal wellbeing or related programs.
• Ability to cultivate and maintain effective working relationships with a diversity of groups including various departments within the zoo, university collaborators, state and federal agencies, and the public.
• Proven record of successfully initiating or expanding animal wellbeing projects.
• Proven record of successfully communicating animal wellbeing issues with various audiences and stakeholders.

Competencies:

• Collaboration.
• Critical Thinking.
• Detail-Orientation.
• Leadership & Mentorship.
• Microsoft Office Suite.
• Organization and Planning.
• Problem Solving/Analysis.
• Project Management.
• Records and Reports Creation and Management.
• Written/Verbal/Oral Communication.

Supervisory Responsibility: This position may assist with supervising staff technicians, students, volunteers, and interns.

Reporting Structure: Reports to Animal Wellbeing Manager.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

Full-time salary positions are defined as positions scheduled to work approximately 40 hours a week. Scheduling is at the discretion of the manager.

This position is considered exempt under the federal and state wage and hour laws.

Scheduling Availability Requirements:

Position regularly requires flexible hours including weekdays and holidays. Occasional weekends are required.

Work Environment: While performing the duties of the job, the employee will primarily operate in a mixed work environment that includes both laboratory and zoo grounds.

Time will be split between indoor laboratory settings and outdoor or behind-the-scenes animal care areas.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

This position requires frequent sitting, standing, walking. May require bending, kneeling, or navigating uneven terrain during animal observations or habitat evaluations. Occasional lifting or movement of items up to 50 pounds is required.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Other Duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Other Requirements:

• 21 years or older.
• Clear background check.
• Clear drug screening.
• Clear TB screening.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Clear MVR screening.
• Proof of current automobile insurance.

Benefits & Perks

The Memphis Zoo has a comprehensive benefits and employee perks package. Please see our Memphis Zoo Careers page for details.  

EEOC and Inclusion Statement: 

The Memphis Zoo believes that human diversity is as important as the biodiversity we seek to conserve. World-class zoos are comprised of world-class team members representing a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We value a diverse workplace and strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, and veterans to apply. 

The Memphis Zoo is an equal-opportunity employer. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws. If you need to request any accommodations for the interview or hiring process, please let the Human Resources team (HR) know. HR can be contacted at hrteam@memphiszoo.org. 

The Memphis Zoo participates in E-Verify and is an EEO/ADA/Veteran employer.

All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of pre-employment screening. Memphis Zoo is a drug-free workplace.

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.