Animal Careers & Animal Jobs

Unusual Animal Careers Part Ten
Animal Management & Curatorial Jobs

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Animal careers, animal schools, & animal courses are just a few topics you will find here. You can read about careers with animals, discover animal programs, and enroll in unique animal career seminars. This is part ten of a series on unusual animal careers. Learn about curatorial jobs and animal management positions in this section.

Editor's Note: This is the continuation of an ongoing series related to animal careers. To reap the benefits of all the tips and requirements of this series it is suggested that you read them in order. You can do this easily by going back to the animal career index page.

The first parts of this series briefly discussed types of careers and which ones might be appropriate for you, how to begin researching those career options, and how to find specific information in the area of your interest to help you further clarify your goals and contacts. Now the series is discussing both domestic and exotic animal work and how to begin to get practical experience and prepare for that career. The next few articles will take a closer look at different roles and what kind of training or education is necessary for them.

To simplify some of this information it has been grouped by similar categories. Unique training for some areas not listed will be included in another section. If you see any additions to jobs and want to provide me with a description and the related educational aspects please contact me.

Certainly all of the options will not be here but those that are can help you find related areas of interest or spark another thought to something similar. Since the career field is changing so fast, many new positions will crop up every year.

Hierarchical Structure 101
Usually the manager deals intensively with the keeper and trainer staff. The manager then reports to the supervisor. Managers are usually, but not always, promoted from within. They have a small piece of the pie.

The supervisor usually interfaces with the staff in a specific department and deals mostly within the organization. They will also work with other supervisors in cooperative projects and planning. They have a medium piece of the pie and report to the curator.

The curator handles all the components of their jurisdiction, usually multiple departments within the organization AND will interface and work with the professional zoological/aquatic park community both nationally and internationally. Each facility varies according to the roles and titles of their personnel. It is best to check with those institutions you are interested in for the details of the positions.

Curatorial, Supervisory, Management Positions

Curator of Animal Training, Curator of Mammals, Curator of Reptiles, Curator of Birds or Aviculture, Curator of Collections, Curator of Education, Curator of Conservation, General Curator, Supervisor of (insert title), Manager of (insert title).

These jobs will usually take you away from the direct contact with the animals. It becomes more of a management or supervisory role. These people will define the goals of the department, work on those goals with other departments, design and develop new training programs, shows, and exhibits along with managing the people and animals/birds/herptiles in their department. People in this job capacity must look at the larger goals of the facility and of the Industry as a whole.

Other job duties include making sure the training staff are doing their job properly, ensuring safety for both animals and staff, motivating employees, developing behaviors, training plans, enrichment programs, husbandry procedures, and other related tasks. Scheduling of employees, interfacing with other institutional staff members, government officials, and attending a variety of meetings or professional gatherings are some other the other requirements.

Most jobs of this type require a minimum of ten years in some sort of similar role related to the specific position. Many require more of those years to be in management. Educational requirements usually are a minimum of a Bachelor's degree or something similar in biological sciences, conservation biology, education or psychology. The specialty of focus depends on the specific position.

Additional education in management is recommended but not always necessary. The field is getting more competitive with Master's and higher degrees sometimes filling these roles. These people are responsible for the consistency and quality of their department and all of it's functions.

Curator of Collections, Registrar

These types of positions maintain the extensive records on the animal collection. This also means keeping records on animal births and deaths, updating and managing studbooks, charting pedigrees, handling the paperwork for animal transfers/loans, and tracking the offspring from breeding loans.

Work will often involve interfacing with other countries, captive management programs such as the International Species Inventory System (ISIS), and following recommendations and participating in the various other animal management programs both here in the United States and globally.

Starting educational requirements would be in the areas such as biological sciences or related studies with a minimum of a Bachelor's degree. Computer experience is also critical in this role since monitoring the computerized animal inventory is a vital portion of this job.

Good written and verbal skills are required and detail orientation is mandatory. Speed reading is also a plus due to the constant changes and volumes of government rules and regulations regarding animal maintenance and trade.

General Curator

The General Curator is usually the liaison between the general director of the zoo and the rest of the curatorial staff. This position will be responsible for the collection as a whole. This is also the role that often will work closely with other institutions, government representatives on conservation related issues and with other political figures.

In addition, this position is involved with long-term planning and strategic management versus more of the day to day operations of the other curatorial support team members. The person in this role will rely heavily on his curators to run the day to day operations and help him to achieve longer range goals.

Curators often get to their position by promotions within their own zoo or through another one. They must also be familiar with a variety of issues beyond just zoological management. Minimum educational requirements that would benefit this type of position would be things such as biological sciences or related studies with a minimum of a Bachelor's or Mater's degree. Computer experience and human psychology or management strategies are also critical in this role.

Curator of a Specific Type (Mammals, Birds, Reptiles, and Related Animals)

This is the curator who is responsible for a specific type of animal or section. Depending on the facility, they may have a region like a North American or Rainforest section and be responsible for all animals within it, or more traditionally be in charge of a specific group of similar animals.

This curator will usually report to the General Curator. They will handle the day to day management of their managers and make decisions on breeding, handling, and managing those animals in their sections. They will also work on long term planning of exhibits and related projects. In addition, most will participate on national projects that involve their facility or animals and delegate projects to their managers and staff.

Many curators get to their position by promotions within their own zoo or another one. They are usually familiar with a variety of issues beyond just zoological management. Minimum educational requirements that would benefit this type of position would be things such as biological sciences or related studies with a minimum of a Bachelor's degree. Computer experience and human psychology or management strategies are also critical in this role.

Unusual Animal Careers Part Eleven: Veterinary Jobs & Related Careers

Diana Guerrero, author of this series, has extensive experience in many areas of the animal world. She offers animal career counseling and related programs.

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