Jobs & Training

Arizona Center for Nature Conservation
Phoenix Zoo
Job Description

Job Title: Manager of Nutrition Services
Department: Living Collections – Nutrition Services
Supervisor: Curator of Assigned Area
Supervises: Nutrition Services Staff
FLSA Status: Full Time, Regular, Exempt
Grade:10

General Statement:
The Manager of Nutrition Services is responsible for the organization and operation of the Nutrition Services Department through effective management of staff, animal diets, inventory, budget, and records, and participates in all required functions within Nutrition Services, the Living Collections Department, and the greater Zoo. The manager ensures that animal diets are provided in a timely manner under high standards of quality, sanitation, safety, and cost effectiveness. Duties include recruitment, hiring, training, evaluation, and direct supervision of Nutrition Services staff.  The manager will assess all animal diets and advise/direct the proper provision for nutritional needs.  This individual will maintain all relevant records in compliance with government and accrediting agency standards. The manager will develop and maintain a budget to ensure proper accounting for departmental expenditures. The manager will ensure that Nutrition Services staff engage with all Zoo staff, guests, and external partners in a professional and customer service-oriented fashion. This individual will accept and fulfill all other duties as required of Arizona Center of Nature Conservation (ACNC) managers.

Essential Duties:

1. Provide quality guest service for both internal and external customers by engaging in a friendly, helpful, positive and professional manner. Effectively interact with staff from all other Zoo departments, guests, media, government agencies, and outside professionals. Establish and maintain effective vendor relationships.
2. Establish and maintain systems and procedures for ordering, receiving, storing, and preparing food and food supplies; maintain high standards of professional nutritional services.
3. Collaborate in diet development and management for collection animals, and prepare nutritional assessments based on best current tools and information.
4. Manage records to comply with government and accrediting agency standards (i.e., USDA, AZA) by establishing and maintaining accurate, current, and appropriate animal diet sheets.
5. Prepare annual budget by forecasting changes in cost trends and establish cost efficiency measures to ensure financial goals are met.
6. Recruit, supervise, and train Nutrition Services staff regarding all relevant duties. Ensure that requirements for appropriate sanitation and safety levels are met.
7. Establish and maintain effective vendor relationships.
8. Perform Animal Diet Technician duties as needed.
9. Fulfill other duties as required of ACNC managers.

This is by no means an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, or working conditions associated with the job. Management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other be performed when circumstances change (e.g. emergencies, changes in personnel, workload, rush jobs, or technological developments.)

Qualifications:                        

1. Bachelor’s degree in nutrition or other life science preferred.
2. Minimum of 2 years’ supervisory experience in animal health, human health or food service management.
3. Ability to obtain Forage Sampling Certification, Arizona Food Handler’s Card, and pass Food Borne Pathogen Identification training within first 90 days of employment.
4. Certified to operate a forklift or ability to become certified within first 90 days of employment.
5. Ability to work with live insects, rodents, and other food animals required.
6. Capable of humanely euthanizing animals per USDA and AZA standards.
7. Excellent oral and written communication skills, and superior interpersonal skills.
8. Ability to accurately and efficiently perform mathematical calculations relevant to nutritional services, including but not limited to: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of all units of measure.
9. Ability to lift a minimum of 50 pounds and carry loads for 25 yards required.
10. Able to bend, stoop, crawl, chop food and perform other repetitive motion activities required.
11. Ability to work flexible hours.
12. Possession of a valid driver’s license.
13. This is considered a safety-sensitive position requiring the ability to pass pre-employment background check, drug test, DMV check and clear annual TB test.

To apply, please visit: http://www.phoenixzoo.org/careers/

Résumés are not accepted for any ACNC position without an accompanying application. While postings may remain on outside sites for longer, once a job is removed from the Phoenix Zoo career site, it is closed and we will no longer accept applications. If you are a top candidate for a current opening, we will contact you within a few weeks of the position closing. Unfortunately, due to the number of applications and résumés we receive, we are only able to respond to those applicants who best match our current openings.

The Animal Nutrition / Commissary Supervisor is responsible for coordinating the animal care feed and supplies management system for the Calgary Zoo with a focus on animal welfare and efficient resource use. The successful candidate will manage the nutrition program in coordination with the veterinary and animal management team with a focus on welfare and the zoo’s mission and vision, and lead nutrition-related research programs to advance initiatives complementing existing conservation programs.

Responsibilities:

• Supervise paid and unpaid commissary workers in the day to day operations of animal feed and supply acquisition and dispersal in coordination with the Operations Manager.
• Lead the recruitment and training of commissary volunteer workers for diet preparation and other duties.
• Participate in diet preparation and dispersal with commissary workers and provide coverage for workers on days off or vacations as needed.
• Establish ordering routines and coordinate centralized ordering and receiving activities for animal feed and supplies.
• Ensure proper storage, handling, and food stock rotation to prevent unnecessary food waste and assure quality and safety of animal diets.
• Manage animal diets using Zootrition or other animal nutrition management software.
• Facilitate diet evaluation, formulation, and refinement with veterinary staff, curators, and zookeepers.
• Maintain high standards of cleanliness and coordinate repairs and issues with the Facilities department.
• Periodic educational outreach internally and externally about the zoos animal nutrition program.
• Opportunity to develop nutritional research focused on the zoos conservation programs.
• Opportunity to develop contract nutritional outreach services to other smaller zoos.
• Work with the Operations Manager and General Curator to plan the annual budget, and participate in monthly reviews to evaluate budget performance.
• Effectively control the budget and provide accurate information to the Operations Manager as required.
• Prepare animal welfare cases and business cases in support of significant program changes as required.
• Drive a continuous improvement process for sourcing feed and supplies while balancing animal welfare, environmental sustainability, and financial sustainability.
• Look for opportunities and make recommendations to improve and streamline procedures, processes, and documentation related to commissary function.
• Embrace an environment of continuous learning through proactively seeking knowledge and skills to be part of a change ready workforce.
• Maintain proficiency and accreditation/technical acumen requirements of your role and continue to build skills and proficiency by leveraging your development plan.

Qualifications:

• Post-secondary education in Animal Nutrition or an equivalent combination of experience and education is required.
• Specific training or experience in Zoo Nutrition is highly desirable.
• Proven understanding of animal nutrition, preferably zoo animal nutrition
• Proficiency in animal nutrition management software such as Zootrition, Fauna, etc.
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office and SharePoint.
• Ability to supervise and direct work for both paid and unpaid workers.
• Outstanding organizational skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a diverse population and foster a collaborative environment.
• Ability to work independently and prioritize workload.

Working Conditions:

Workweek will include one weekend day. On occasion, the Animal Nutrition / Commissary Supervisor may be required to be available for the after-hours callout, in event of an emergency. The working conditions of this role include sedentary computer work, exposure to cold temperatures (freezers, refrigerators), lifting up to 50 lbs, repetitive bending, twisting, and lifting.

What the zoo has to offer:

• Competitive compensation package.
• Flexible benefits plan, including a health spending account.
• Employer matching RRSP program.
• Competitive vacation and flex days entitlement.
• Discounts on food, beverage and merchandise.
• A complimentary annual pass for you and your immediate family members.
• A fun work environment and the opportunity to work in a park full of wild animals!

Apply online, in confidence, no later than June 25, 2018.

The Calgary Zoo is a conservation leader whose mission is to take and inspire action to sustain wildlife and wild places. As a not-for-profit charitable institution, all revenue is reinvested back into conservation activities at the zoo and around the world.

As an organization, we value effective and collaborative communication and honesty and integrity with an emphasis on customer focus, safety and conservation. If you would like to be part of this team, we have the following permanent full-time position available in our Animal Care department:

Denver Zoo is a leader in animal care, wildlife conservation, education, and guest experience. We are passionate about our commitment to excellence in support of our mission to secure a better world for animals through human understanding. We provide extraordinary experiences every day for our animals and visitors and our core values of Protect, Honor, Innovate, Serve, Engage, and Empower are evident in everything we do.  We value the different strengths our staff bring to Denver Zoo. We expect our staff to embrace and to commit to our core behaviors for engagement: Passion, Respect, Innovation, Diversity, and Excellence.

Denver Zoo is seeking an animal Nutritionist to begin building a comprehensive nutrition program for our over 4,000 animal residents. This position will advance the mission of Denver Zoo by developing and managing the animal nutrition program to help ensure the highest level of animal care. Core responsibilities include the formulation and management of diets, nutritional records, diet changes, and diet review processes. As current immediate needs are met the selected person will then further the development of a comprehensive nutrition program that will eventually include research and development. The position will report to the Vice President for Veterinary Medicine and will provide oversight to the Nutrition Center.  The nutritionist will be a partner with the Animal Care and Veterinary Medicine teams in maintaining the health and well-being of Denver Zoo’s animal collection with a specific role in understanding the effect and impact of diet on these animals. These teams will work together to develop nutrition program priorities, expectations, and work plans.  Strong teamwork along with excellent communication and presentation skills, verbally and written, are essential.

Qualifications:

• Graduate degree in nutrition or a related field is required, with PhD preferred.
• At least two years of experience working with nutritional issues with wildlife in managed care.
• Excellent oral and written presentation skills.
• Ability to communicate among and integrate into multiple departments and working groups and work within a highly collaborative environment.
• Demonstrated leadership and supervisory abilities.
• Research experience with evidence of peer-reviewed publication.
• Competency in computer skills, including word processor, spreadsheets, Internet and networks, as well as nutritional analysis software.
• Clear driving record.

Compensation and Benefits: 

This is a regular full-time position with excellent benefits, including complete medical/dental/vision coverage, 403(b) retirement plan, and a generous vacation package.

Completed applications must be submitted by January March 20, 2018

***APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT A COVER LETTER WITH RESUME***

Denver Zoo reserves the right to close the position prior to the above date.

Denver Zoo is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Please apply through www.denverzoo.org

The Associate Manager of Commissary Operations will direct and participate in the daily operations of the commissary and its staff as part of a comprehensive program at Georgia Aquarium to ensure the nutritional health of the animal collection.

Requirements

II.Responsibilities: 

1. Responsible for ordering of foodstuff for animal diets, including seafood, produce, feeds, supplements, live foods, and operating supplies.
2. Coordinates diet request changes and other feeding requests from Zoological Operations and Veterinary staff.
3. Communicate with Nutritionist regarding animal diet needs and changes to crucial ordering process.
4. Research new products and equipment, negotiate prices with vendors, and solicit competitive bids in order to evaluate new or alternative products.
5. Responsible for coordinating weekly delivery of frozen product from off-site holding facility and evaluating regular inventory stocks while maintaining good inventory practices, including proper in-out stocking, expiration dating and monitoring, and overall quality control of products.
6. Responsible for coordinating, managing, and training commissary staff and volunteers. This includes performance goal setting and evaluation of staff via the performance appraisal process.
7. Responsible for maintaining working knowledge of company safety policies and implementing and developing standard operating procedures as needed.
8. Responsible for maintaining working knowledge of USDA and AZA standards and ensuring all commissary areas are in compliance.
9. Responsible for coordinating quality control sample collection, laboratory sample submission, and data entry.
10. Assists with preparing and managing annual departmental budget.
11. Interacts with staff, volunteers, guests, media and the general public on behalf of, and as an ambassador for, Georgia Aquarium Inc.
12. Performs other duties as required by the Director of Research and Conservation/Nutritionist or the Vice-President of Research and Conservation, or as workload necessitates.

III. Qualifications:
1. High School diploma or GED (required). Bachelor’s Degree (preferred) in biological science, nutrition, or related field.
2. Experience in food preparation and/or warehouse logistics preferred.
3. Two years supervisory experience (minimum), preferably related to staff supervision/management, food/animal, warehouse, or purchasing industries. Equivalent combinations of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job will be considered.
4. Basic understanding of animal nutrition and feeding practices is preferred.
5. Forklift training/experience is preferred.
6. Exceptional organizational skills are essential, including effective time management and the ability to set and meet deadlines.
7. Exceptional communication skills are required, including the ability to know when it is appropriate to communicate by which method: face-to-face, telephone, email or text messaging.
8. Familiarity with the Microsoft Office suite of programs is essential.
9. An ability to work independently or as part of a coordinated team is essential, including intrinsic motivation and the ability to effectively manage multiple task streams.
10. Demonstrated professionalism, including politeness, good judgment, effective time management and punctuality, and an appreciation for diversity.
11. Ability to be flexible and shift priorities to meet changing institutional requirements.

• The physical demands and work environment described here 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 occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds 100 feet. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. An employee must also have the ability to travel by car, boat, and air as needed, conduct field work in the collection and research of animals, and maintain daily contact with a living collection of plants and animals.

Apply online

Job Opportunity

Scope of Mazuri® Exotic Animal Business

The Mazuri® Exotic Animal Business develops diets for two major market segments: Zoos, Exotic Animal Parks, and Aquariums; and the Retail Consumer Channel that services consumers who own exotic animals as part of their lifestyle.  Animals include: a broad range of exotic mammals, invertebrates, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish.

Job Description

https://landolakes.taleo.net/careersection/2/jobdetail.ftl?job=P-5736&lang=en

The successful candidate will provide technical support to the Mazuri R&D team, Sales, Marketing, Manufacturing, Quality, and Customer Service teams to support growth of the Mazuri® business.  This position will also provide technical expertise for assigned projects including investigating and resolving quality problems, assist with field sales and field trials, provide input into product development and expansion of existing products and may act as the technical interface between the company and the customer.  Specific responsibilities include:

• Product Set-up including formulation, developing labels, and regulatory support for both domestic & international sales.
• Develop Marketing and Sales technical support materials (Print & Digital)
  • Product Specification Sheets which include diet analysis, summarization, and creation of the specification sheets.
• Product Improvement and New Product Development
  • Help manage research projects with customers/partners
  • Coordinate research trials, samples & testing, manage data , summarize results & update new products and / or develop new products
• Technical Support for sales, retailers, distributors, customers (accounts & consumers) and Customer Service
  • Providing Nutritional Solutions that include product recommendation and answering questions on products
• Product development and improvement of products manufactured at Purina® ‘s Specialty manufacturing plant.
  • Packaging and labels for products manufactured at Richmond Test Diet Plant
• Remain current on exotic animal industry trends and knowledge.

Requirements

• Masters or PhD in Nutrition. Preference will be given to candidates with experience with exotic animals.
• Travel is required in this position. The amount of travel will be dependent on the customer base served and amount of direct customer contact required. Position will begin with less travel, but could eventually average 15 – 25%

Competencies & Other Skills

Required:

• • Strong technical skills and understanding of animal nutrition.
  • Strong interpersonal, communication, public speaking and technical writing skills.
  • Must be capable of providing scientific and research data, regarding nutrition and animal management, in sales environments.
  • Must be able to inspire confidence in product performance with creativity and conviction in product-line knowledge.
  • Demonstrated ability to develop and leverage collaborative relationships.
  • Ability to effectively work as a part of a team and possess excellent team building skills.

• Uncompromising integrity.

Preferred:

• Excellent problem solving skills. Strong communication, planning & organizational skills.
• Strong computer skills to support critical software tools that support product sales.
• Experience and understanding in one or more of the species within the exotic animal industry and the versatility to be able to work well with multiple segments of the industry.
• Previous feed business experience in technical sales and marketing support.
• Experience raising animals.

Contact: Land O’Lakes Website