Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Zoology Program Supervisor

🎯 Role Definition

The Zoology Program Supervisor leads and manages day-to-day zoological operations, animal care teams, and programmatic initiatives within a zoo, aquarium, wildlife sanctuary, or research institution. This role ensures exemplary animal welfare, coordinates conservation and research programs, maintains regulatory compliance (e.g., USDA, state permits, AZA guidelines), develops and implements enrichment and training protocols, supervises staff and volunteers, manages budgets and procurement, and represents the organization in education and outreach activities. Ideal candidates combine deep technical knowledge of species-specific husbandry with proven leadership, program management, and stakeholder communication skills.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Senior Animal Keeper / Lead Animal Care Specialist
Field Biologist or Wildlife Technician with supervisory experience
Animal Husbandry Supervisor at smaller institutions

Advancement To:

Zoological Manager / Head of Animal Programs
Curator of Mammals/Birds/Reptiles (or equivalent taxon manager)
Director of Animal Care & Conservation Programs

Lateral Moves:

Conservation Program Manager
Education & Outreach Manager
Research Program Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Lead and supervise daily animal care operations across assigned collections, ensuring species-specific feeding, cleaning, enrichment, and behavioral management follow best practices and institutional protocols.
Develop, implement, and continuously improve animal husbandry protocols, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and enrichment plans tailored to the behavioral and physiological needs of each species.
Supervise, train, coach, and evaluate a multidisciplinary team of keepers, technicians, volunteers, and seasonal staff; create schedules, assign duties, and manage performance to maintain high standards of care.
Oversee reproductive, neonatal, and geriatric animal care programs, coordinating breeding recommendations, artificial insemination assistance, and neonatal protocols with veterinary and conservation staff.
Coordinate and liaise with veterinary teams to schedule health checks, diagnostic testing, treatments, and medical procedures; maintain accurate medical and treatment records for each animal.
Ensure all animal facilities, habitats, and holding areas meet safety, sanitation, and enrichment standards; schedule and oversee habitat maintenance, construction, and exhibit upgrades.
Manage regulatory compliance with federal, state, and local agencies (e.g., USDA, state wildlife agencies), maintain permits and records, and prepare for inspections and audits.
Design, implement, and monitor behavior training programs using positive reinforcement techniques to facilitate voluntary veterinary procedures, transport, and husbandry tasks.
Lead or participate in species management and conservation plans (SSPs, studbooks), coordinate animal transfers and population management decisions with regional and international partners.
Develop and manage program budgets, track expenditures, coordinate procurement of feed, equipment, and supplies, and identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising animal welfare.
Create and implement emergency and contingency plans for animal escapes, medical emergencies, natural disasters, and facility incidents; train staff in emergency response and safe capture techniques.
Oversee recordkeeping systems for animal inventories, behavior logs, enrichment schedules, and husbandry records; ensure data integrity and accessibility for reporting and research.
Partner with research scientists to support field or captive research projects, collect behavioral and demographic data, and integrate research findings into husbandry and conservation strategies.
Plan and coordinate transport logistics for animals to other institutions, ensuring compliance with welfare, permitting, and quarantine protocols.
Serve as a subject matter expert for educational programming and public interpretation; develop interpretive content, participate in media and community engagement, and provide accurate species information to visitors.
Facilitate volunteer and internship programs, providing mentorship, training curricula, and evaluation to build a pipeline of skilled animal-care professionals.
Draft and contribute to grant proposals, fundraising initiatives, and conservation outreach campaigns to secure resources for species recovery and program expansion.
Monitor and report on key performance indicators for animal welfare, breeding success, public engagement, and program metrics; present findings to leadership and stakeholders.
Collaborate with facilities and maintenance teams to plan exhibit renovations, new habitat design, and environmental enrichment installations with a focus on animal welfare and visitor experience.
Implement biosecurity, quarantine, and zoonotic disease prevention protocols; coordinate with public health and veterinary staff to mitigate risks.
Foster partnerships with academic institutions, wildlife agencies, NGOs, and other zoos to advance conservation, education, and husbandry cooperation.
Ensure inclusive and safe workplace culture by enforcing policies, addressing staff concerns, conducting investigations when necessary, and promoting professional development opportunities.

Secondary Functions

Assist leadership with strategic planning for the zoology department and contribute to the organization’s long-term conservation and education goals.
Support ad-hoc project reporting, data analysis, and preparation of materials for board meetings, accreditation reviews, and stakeholder briefings.
Contribute content and subject-matter expertise for marketing, social media, and interpretive signage to accurately represent species information and program impact.
Participate in cross-departmental committees (safety, sustainability, education) to integrate animal welfare and conservation priorities across the institution.
Provide backup supervision for on-call and weekend operations as needed; respond to after-hours animal welfare incidents.
Mentor staff on career development, continuing education opportunities, and certification pathways in zoology and animal care.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Advanced animal husbandry knowledge for mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, or invertebrates depending on collection specialty.
Species-specific nutrition planning and feed procurement, including formulation, storage, and dietary monitoring.
Proficiency in behavior observation, enrichment design, and positive reinforcement training techniques.
Strong working knowledge of veterinary procedures, medical recordkeeping, and support of clinical interventions.
Familiarity with regulatory compliance and permit management (USDA, state wildlife permits, CITES/AZA standards).
Experience with animal transport logistics, quarantine procedures, and inter-institutional transfers.
Facility and exhibit maintenance oversight, including habitat design principles and life-support systems for aquatic species where applicable.
Budget preparation and fiscal management for program-level expenses, procurement, and grant budgets.
Data collection and recordkeeping using animal management software (e.g., ZIMS, Tracks, MedARKS) and basic data analysis for reporting.
Emergency response planning and implementation for animal escape, injury, disease outbreak, and natural disasters.
Grant writing, reporting, and fundraising experience to support conservation initiatives and program expansion.
Knowledge of biosecurity, zoonoses prevention, and occupational safety relevant to animal care environments.

Soft Skills

Strong leadership and people management skills with demonstrated ability to motivate and develop staff.
Excellent oral and written communication skills; experience briefing executives and presenting to public audiences.
Problem-solving and critical-thinking skills to prioritize shifting operational needs under resource constraints.
Emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, and ability to foster a collaborative team culture.
Project management skills and the ability to manage multiple concurrent priorities and deadlines.
Public-speaking and interpretive skills for education programs, guided tours, and media interactions.
Attention to detail and high standards for animal welfare, record accuracy, and safety protocols.
Adaptability and resilience in fast-paced, unpredictable work environments that involve live animals.
Cultural competency and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in staff development and public engagement.
Mentoring and teaching ability to train interns, volunteers, and early-career professionals.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

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

Preferred Education:

Master’s degree in Zoology, Conservation Biology, Wildlife Management, Animal Behavior, or related advanced degree.
Professional certifications (e.g., Certified Professional Animal Scientist, AZA-related training) are a plus.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Zoology
Wildlife Biology
Animal Science
Conservation Biology
Ecology
Animal Behavior
Veterinary Technology (preferred supplement)
Environmental Science

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

5–8 years of progressive experience in animal care, research, or field biology with at least 2 years in a supervisory or lead role.

Preferred:

5+ years managing animal care teams in zoos, aquariums, wildlife centers, or research facilities.
Demonstrated experience with program development, grant management, regulatory compliance, and public outreach.
Proven track record supporting conservation or research initiatives and collaborating with external partners.