"Alerted.org

Curator of Birds (Curator)

Print (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/norfolk/jobs/newprint/4994893)

Apply



Curator of Birds (Curator)

Salary

$50,624.05 - $84,620.59 Annually

Location

Norfolk, VA

Job Type

Permanent Full-time

Job Number

13272

Department

Zoo

Opening Date

07/03/2025

Closing Date

8/3/2025 11:59 PM Eastern

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

Description

Norfolk, Virginia is America's most authentic and urban waterfront city. Home to the world's largest naval station and the business, arts, and cultural center of Coastal Virginia, Norfolk has been rated a top place to live, work, play, and raise a family by numerous publications. Working for the City of Norfolk is an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of others. With our commitment to competitive pay and a strong retirement package, you can do good for your community and do well for yourself. Join a caring workplace that proudly celebrates uniqueness, authenticity, and a shared commitment to improving the lives of our residents.

The Virginia Zoo, located in Norfolk, Virginia, is home to more than 700 animals representing over 150 species. Founded in 1901 and residing on 53 beautifully landscaped acres, the Virginia Zoo has demonstrated a commitment to saving and protecting the world’s wildlife by inspiring a passion for nature and taking conservation action at home and around the world. The Virginia Zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and is recognized as a global leader in education, recreation, science, wildlife conservation, and animal care and welfare. For more than a century, the Zoo has connected adults, families and school children with the natural world and its wildlife.

The Curator of Birds serves as the senior leader and supervisor for the Bird section of the Virginia Zoo, responsible for the strategic management and welfare of all animals in this diverse collection. This role leads a team of animal care professionals, overseeing husbandry, enrichment, health monitoring, breeding programs, and compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards. The Curator collaborates across departments to advance the Zoo’s mission of conservation, education, and visitor engagement while ensuring a safe, efficient, and positive working environment.

Department Hiring Salary Range: $50,624 - $84,621

Essential Functions

Essential functions include but are not limited to:

+ Lead, manage, and develop the Birds animal care team, including scheduling, training, mentoring, performance evaluations, and fostering a collaborative, high-performing work culture.

+ Oversee all aspects of animal care and management in the Bird section, including species such as cassowary, tawny frogmouths, kookaburras, vultures, oropendolas, rhino hornbills, and others, ensuring their health, wellbeing, and behavioral needs are met at the highest standards.

+ Develop and implement operational plans, SOPs, enrichment, and training programs that align with USDA regulations, AZA accreditation, and industry best practices.

+ Monitor animal health and behavior regularly, coordinating with veterinary staff and animal services leadership to address concerns and implement treatments or interventions.

+ Serve as a key decision-maker and point of contact during emergency situations, leading safety drills, and managing incident response as Manager on Duty.

+ Collaborate with cross-functional teams — including education, facilities, marketing, and animal services management — to support exhibit design, guest engagement, and institutional initiatives.

+ Manage section budget allocations in partnership with Animal Services management, forecasting needs for staffing, equipment, and supplies.

Education/Experience

Knowledge is normally acquired through four years of college resulting in a Bachelor's degree or equivalent in biology, zoology, or related field with an emphasis on wildlife and/or zoo animal care.

+ Three years' experience.

Preferred Education/Experience:

+ Seven years of experience in animal care, with at least three years in a supervisory role at an AZA accredited institution.

+ Any combination of experience, education and training which provides the equivalent scope of knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the essential job duties.

+ Proven leadership skills with experience in managing and developing teams in a dynamic environment.

+ Strong knowledge of animal behavior, training methods, and operant conditioning.

+ Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with multiple departments and external partners.

+ Experience with AZA accreditation processes and emergency management.

+ Strong communication and public programming skills.

+ Ability to innovate and implement improvements in animal wellbeing and operational efficiency.

Additional Information & Requirements

Work Location: 3500 Granby Street, Norfolk, VA 23504

Work Hours: Sunday through Thursday, 7:00AM – 4:00PM

+ Regular full-time and permanent part-time employees may receive paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, employer paid pension plan, basic life insurance, voluntary participation in medical and dental, Section 457 deferred compensation, long-term disability, optional life insurance for self, spouse and children, medical and dependent care reimbursement plans, access to membership in credit union and employer provided parking.

+ Special project/grant employees are generally eligible for the same benefits of regular full-time employees; however, retirement, life insurance and participation in health plans vary depending upon funding and authorization.

+ Temporary/seasonal and part-time employees are generally only eligible for employer provided parking and access to membership in credit union.

+ Retirement

If you are hired October 5, 2010, or after to a position with City of Norfolk Retirement System benefits, you will be required to contribute five percent (5%) of your salary toward your retirement benefit. This will be a pre-tax payroll deduction.

If you are hired January 1, 2022, or after to a position with Virginia Retirement System (VRS) benefits, you will be required to contribute five percent (5%) of your salary toward your retirement benefit. This will be a pre-tax payroll deduction.

+ The Tuition Assistance Program is established to encourage employees toward continued self-development and education. Permanent full-time and permanent part-time classified, unclassified permanent, full-time special projects, and constitutional employees who have completed six months continuous service will be eligible to apply. The applicant’s school of enrollment must be an accredited institution.

NOTE:

The benefits described above are broad generalizations. The specific benefits that an employee may be eligible for are governed by City regulations, as applicable to job type.

Non-City

Positions listed with a job type designation of "Non-City" are not subject to the benefits descriptions above. Refer to the content of the job posting for information regarding these positions.

01

The following Supplemental Questions are specific to the position for which you have applied to assist the hiring manager in screening applications for specific experience being sought. Please be specific in answering these questions as they will be used to evaluate which applications will be given further consideration in the process. Do not answer "see resume" or "see application" as these are not valid answers. Please note that if you are invited to be interviewed by the department, your responses to the following questions may be subject to verification.

+ I understand and will answer the following supplemental questions completely and thoroughly.

02

Please select the highest level of education you have completed.

+ High School Diploma/GED

+ Some College (6 months or more)

+ Vocational/Technical Degree

+ Associate's Degree

+ Bachelor's Degree

+ Master's Degree or higher

03

How many years of professional experience do you have working in animal care at an AZA-accredited facility?

+ Less than 3 years

+ 3-5 years

+ 6–7 years

+ 8+ years

04

Which best describes your approach to improving animal wellbeing or operations?

+ I actively seek and implement innovations

+ I support improvements initiated by others

+ I follow established routines with little change

+ I have not been involved in improvement initiatives

05

Give an example of how your innovative idea improved animal wellbeing?

06

What is your experience with animal collection planning?

07

Have you been involved in any AZA accreditation processes?

+ I’ve led or coordinated the AZA accreditation process

+ I’ve contributed to documentation or inspections

+ I’ve only participated passively (e.g., staff interviews)

+ I have not been involved in accreditation

08

What is your experience with AZA programs (SSPs, TAGs, SAGs)?

+ I have led or co-led AZA program participation

+ I’ve actively participated in planning or decisions

+ I’ve attended meetings but had limited involvement

+ I’ve had no direct involvement

09

Please list SSP’s, TAG’s, SAG’s you have participated in with level of involvement.

10

What is your experience with developing or delivering public education or programming?

+ I’ve created and led public programs or presentations

+ I’ve assisted with educational programs

+ I’ve occasionally spoken to guests

+ I have no public programming experience

11

Describe your experience with public programming.

12

What is your experience with hiring new staff?

13

How often have you participated in emergency drills or real emergency situations involving animals or guests?

+ Never

+ Occasionally, but not in a leadership role

+ Regularly, in a supporting role

+ Regularly, in a leadership or decision-making role

14

Describe your experience with the animals listed in the job description.

15

Describe your most successful animal training experience.

16

What is your experience with developing or implementing animal care SOPs and enrichment programs?

+ I’ve led the development and implementation of programs

+ I’ve contributed to development but didn’t lead

+ I’ve followed existing SOPs and programs

+ I have no experience

17

Are you a current or previous City of Norfolk employee?

+ Yes - I am a current City of Norfolk Employee

+ Yes - I am a previous City of Norfolk Employee

+ No - I am not a previous or current City of Norfolk employee

18

If you were referred for this position by a current City of Norfolk employee, please provide the employee's full name, department, and job title. If not, please indicate by typing "N/A."

Required Question

Employer

City of Norfolk

Apply

Please verify your email address Verify Email