Curator of Marine Mammals and Oceans

Do you have a passion for marine life, a commitment to exceptional animal care, and a desire to inspire people to care for our world? The Indianapolis Zoo is seeking an experienced and collaborative leader to serve as our Curator of Marine Mammals & Oceans. In this role, you'll have the opportunity to lead two dynamic departments while championing animal welfare, conservation, staff development, and exceptional guest experience.

About the Role

The Curator of Marine Mammals & Oceans provides strategic and operational leadership for the Zoo's Marine Mammals and Oceans departments. This position is responsible for the health, welfare, safety, management, and long-term sustainability of the collections while ensuring departmental programs support the Zoo's mission, conservation priorities, guest experience, and institutional goals.

You'll lead animal husbandry, training, enrichment, reproduction, collection planning, staff development, and daily departmental operations. The Curator directly supervises the Assistant Curators of Marine Mammals and Oceans and provides leadership to departmental employees, volunteers, and interns. This role also works closely with Veterinary Services, Human Resources, Facilities, Education, Registrar, Conservation, and other Zoo departments, as well as professional organizations and conservation partners.

Key Responsibilities

- Provide strategic leadership, direction, and accountability for the Marine Mammals and Oceans departments.

- Lead, coach, mentor, and develop Assistant Curators and departmental staff, including performance management and professional development.

- Oversee staffing, scheduling, training, and daily departmental operations.

- Provide oversight of animal husbandry, welfare, training, enrichment, behavioral management, and reproductive programs.

- Work closely with Veterinary Services to monitor animal health and address medical and welfare concerns.

- Lead collection planning, including acquisitions, dispositions, transfers, breeding, reproduction, and population management.

- Ensure departmental programs comply with Zoo policies, AZA standards, regulatory requirements, and professional best practices.

- Oversee animal transportation, permits, documentation, and collection records in collaboration with appropriate departments.

- Provide curatorial expertise for exhibits, holding areas, renovations, repairs, and facility projects.

- Participate in conservation programs, research, AZA activities, Species Survival Plan programs, and other professional initiatives.

- Represent the Indianapolis Zoo through professional organizations, conferences, presentations, media opportunities, tours, and special events.

- Collaborate with Education and other departments to help guests learn more about marine mammals, oceans, conservation, and animal welfare.

- Assist with departmental business plans and budgets and manage resources within established parameters.

- Promote a safe and secure workplace and ensure appropriate response to animal, employee, guest, and facility safety concerns.

- Support the Zoo's Wild U philosophy by creating meaningful guest interactions and helping inspire guests to learn more, care more, and become involved in conservation.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for an experienced animal-care professional who is ready to provide thoughtful leadership while maintaining a strong commitment to animal welfare, conservation and continuous improvement.

The ideal candidate will have:

- At least 10 years of direct or related experience in a zoo, aquarium, marine mammal facility, or similar professional animal-care setting.

- At least 4 years of personnel management or supervisory experience.

- A demonstrated knowledge of animal husbandry, welfare, training, enrichment, reproduction, collection management, and animal health practices applicable to marine mammals and/or aquatic animals.

- A proven ability to lead, coach, develop, and hold employees accountable.

- Strong decision-making, problem-solving, organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.

- The ability to collaborate effectively with staff, other departments, professional organizations, and external partners.

- A demonstrated commitment to animal welfare, conservation, professional development, and continuous improvement.

- Strong observational skills and the temperament necessary to work effectively with animals.

Schedule & Working Conditions

- Full-time position, approximately 40 hours per week; schedules may vary. Weekends, evenings, and overtime may be required.

- Work takes place both indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions, including heat, cold, humidity, and wet environments.

- Ability to perform very heavy work, including exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally and/or 50 pounds frequently.

- Ability to climb ladders and steps and navigate uneven terrain.

- Ability to observe surroundings, assess situations, make sound judgments, and communicate effectively using radios and telephones.

- Ability to use department-specific tools and equipment.

- Must follow Universal Protection Precautions and Bloodborne Pathogens Guidelines.

- May have occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens and chemicals used in animal care and facility operations.

Education

Required: Bachelor's degree (B.A. or B.S.) in Biology, Zoology, Animal Science, Marine Biology, or a related field from an accredited college or university.

Preferred: Graduate degree in a related field.

Why Join Us?

At the Indianapolis Zoo, your work directly contributes to our mission to protect nature and inspire people to care for our world. You'll have the opportunity to lead passionate animal-care professionals, contribute to meaningful conservation efforts, collaborate across a wide range of disciplines, and help create memorable experiences that connect our guests with wildlife and wild places.

This is an opportunity to bring your expertise in marine mammal and aquatic animal care to an organization where animal welfare, conservation, guest experience, and professional growth come together every day.

Employment at the Indianapolis Zoo is contingent upon the successful completion of pre-employment testing including a background check, motor vehicle check (if applicable) and a drug test.