Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Zoology Coordinator

🎯 Role Definition

The Zoology Coordinator is a mid-level, operational and programmatic role focused on coordinating animal care/husbandry, exhibit operations, conservation and research initiatives, and public-facing education programs. This position combines hands-on animal welfare responsibilities with administrative leadership: scheduling, record-keeping (ZIMS/other), compliance with permits and regulations, staff and volunteer coordination, enrichment and behavioral monitoring, cross-departmental project management, and collaboration with veterinary and research teams. The ideal candidate balances practical animal husbandry with strong communication, data-driven decision making, and stakeholder engagement to deliver safe, ethical, and impactful zoological programs.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Zookeeper / Senior Animal Care Technician with 1–3 years of experience
Wildlife Technician or Field Biologist who has worked with captive or rescued animals
Animal Husbandry Assistant or Rehabilitation Specialist

Advancement To:

Senior Zoology Coordinator / Lead Husbandry Manager
Curator of Animals or Collection Manager
Conservation Program Manager or Head of Husbandry

Lateral Moves:

Education & Outreach Coordinator (Zoo or Aquarium)
Wildlife Rehabilitation Manager
Research Coordinator for academic or conservation organizations

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Lead and coordinate daily husbandry operations for assigned taxa, ensuring all animals receive routine feeding, cleaning, habitat maintenance, and species-appropriate care in accordance with institutional protocols and animal welfare standards.
Develop, implement, and continuously refine species-specific care plans and standard operating procedures (SOPs) that reflect best practices for nutrition, enrichment, behavioral management, and preventive health.
Oversee the design, delivery and documentation of environmental enrichment programs, behavioral training (positive reinforcement), and cognitive stimulation activities to promote physical and psychological well-being.
Maintain accurate, timely, and auditable animal records using digital management systems (e.g., ZIMS, Ark, Ponant, or similar), including feeding logs, medical treatments, behavioral observations, reproductive data, and transport documentation.
Coordinate veterinary care and clinical procedures in partnership with on-site or contracted veterinarians: schedule exams, assist during procedures, monitor post-operative recovery, and ensure medication administration accuracy.
Manage daily and long-term staffing schedules for animal care teams, including shift coverage, training plans, performance monitoring, and escalation for emergent animal health or safety issues.
Serve as the primary point of contact for permit and regulatory compliance (federal, state, and local): maintain licenses, renew permits, prepare documentation for inspections, and implement corrective actions when required.
Plan and supervise animal transport and relocation logistics (internal transfers, exhibit moves, temporary holding, or inter-institutional transfers), ensuring welfare, biosecurity, and permit compliance.
Lead and execute animal welfare assessments and behavioral monitoring programs; analyze trends and recommend interventions to address stress, stereotypies, or social dynamics affecting health.
Coordinate breeding and population management initiatives in collaboration with studbook keepers and species survival programs; prepare recommendations for pairing, contraception, and pedigree management.
Manage budgets and procurement for animal care supplies, nutrition contracts, enrichment materials, and specialized equipment, ensuring cost-effectiveness and supply chain continuity.
Oversee exhibit operations related to assigned species, including habitat modification, seasonal rotations, water quality monitoring (where applicable), and exhibit safety audits.
Develop and deliver staff and volunteer training curricula on species husbandry, safety protocols, animal handling, and emergency response; ensure onboarding and continuing education compliance.
Support applied research projects and partner with academic institutions: design data collection protocols, supervise fieldwork/lab work, and ensure ethical treatment and documentation of study animals.
Provide direct guest-facing interpretation and educational programming as needed: present animal talks, guided behind-the-scenes tours, and school or community outreach to promote conservation messages.
Implement biosecurity protocols, disease surveillance, quarantine procedures, and sanitation standards to minimize risk of infectious disease transmission within the collection.
Supervise and mentor volunteers and interns assigned to the animal care program; coordinate project-based learning and evaluation to support professional development.
Lead incident response and emergency care for animal injuries, escapes, or natural disaster situations; activate contingency plans and coordinate cross-departmental response.
Establish and maintain collaborative partnerships with conservation organizations, external zoos, sanctuaries, and government agencies to advance species conservation goals and exchange best practices.
Monitor and report key performance indicators (KPIs) for animal welfare, program outcomes, and operational efficiency; prepare regular reports for senior leadership and stakeholders.
Support grant writing, fundraising proposals, and program budgets for conservation or research initiatives tied to the zoological collection.
Ensure public safety and risk management by enforcing visitor interaction policies, training staff on safe exhibit access, and conducting routine safety inspections.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives in animal care and exhibit design by researching new technologies, husbandry techniques, and evidence-based methods.

Secondary Functions

Assist development and public relations teams with content and materials for fundraising campaigns, web pages, and interpretive signage related to assigned species and programs.
Support event planning and behind-the-scenes experiences that align with animal welfare and institutional policies.
Participate in cross-departmental project teams (construction, education, marketing) to advise on species needs during exhibit renovations or program launches.
Contribute to public-facing communications during incidents, working with communications staff to draft accurate, welfare-focused messaging.
Maintain inventory systems and coordinate with facilities for habitat repairs, specialized plumbing, filtration systems, or HVAC needs affecting enclosures.
Support internship and externship program recruitment, selection, and supervision to build pipeline talent for husbandry and conservation roles.
Provide technical input on procurement specifications for specialized feed, enrichment devices, and habitat substrates to ensure product suitability for species.
Engage in occasional after-hours or weekend responsibilities for animal care coverage, transports, or emergency responses.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Demonstrated expertise in animal husbandry across mammal, avian, reptile, amphibian, or aquatic taxa, with species-specific nutrition and husbandry planning.
Experience using animal records management software (ZIMS preferred, but experience with other digital record systems acceptable) and strong data-entry discipline.
Proficiency in designing and documenting enrichment, behavioral training (positive reinforcement), and welfare monitoring protocols.
Knowledge of veterinary support procedures, animal restraint techniques, medical administration, and anesthesia assistance for non-domestic species.
Permit and regulatory compliance experience (US federal/state wildlife permits, CITES, USDA/APHIS, local licensing), including documentation and inspection readiness.
Competence in transport logistics and animal movement planning, including crating, sedation protocols (when applicable), and biosecurity measures.
Basic veterinary nursing skills for monitoring vitals, administering medications, wound care, and post-operative husbandry.
Budgeting and procurement skills specific to animal care needs, including vendor evaluation for diets, enrichment, and specialized equipment.
Familiarity with husbandry-related environmental monitoring (water quality testing, temperature/humidity control, substrate management).
Experience supporting applied research projects: experimental design basics, sample collection, data integrity, and animal ethics approvals (IACUC or equivalent).
Facility and exhibit operations knowledge, including habitat maintenance, filtration systems, and safety infrastructure.
Experience leading training programs and developing SOPs and safety manuals for animal care staff and volunteers.

Soft Skills

Strong leadership and team-management skills with experience supervising staff and volunteers in a high-stakes animal care environment.
Excellent written and verbal communication for internal coordination, stakeholder reporting, and public interpretation.
High attention to detail and organizational ability to maintain accurate records, schedules, and compliance documentation.
Problem-solving orientation and calm decision-making under pressure (medical emergencies, unexpected behavioral incidents, or operational disruptions).
Empathy and ethical commitment to animal welfare, conservation, and evidence-based husbandry.
Public-facing presentation skills for education programs, tours, and media interactions.
Collaboration and partnership-building skills to work effectively with veterinary, research, education, facilities, and fundraising teams.
Adaptability and flexibility for fluctuating schedules, after-hours responsibilities, and seasonal program needs.
Project management skills to plan and execute habitat upgrades, program roll-outs, and cross-functional initiatives.
Conflict resolution skills for staff interpersonal issues and visitor-related incidents.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's degree in Zoology, Wildlife Biology, Animal Science, Biology, Ecology, or a closely related field.

Preferred Education:

Master's degree in Zoology, Conservation Biology, Animal Behavior, or related discipline; or specialized certifications (e.g., Certified Zookeeper [AZA/related], animal behavior/ethology certificates).

Relevant Fields of Study:

Zoology
Wildlife Biology
Animal Science
Conservation Biology
Animal Behavior / Ethology
Ecology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3–7 years of progressive animal care, husbandry, or wildlife management experience in zoos, aquariums, wildlife centers, or conservation field programs.

Preferred:

5+ years of experience with demonstrated leadership/supervisory responsibilities and experience managing cross-functional projects, permit processes, or breeding programs. Experience with AZA or similar accreditation standards, ZIMS proficiency, and documented success in enrichment and welfare initiatives is highly desirable.