What are the responsibilities and job description for the Zoological Gardens - Animal Nutrition Specialist I/II/III position at Abilene Zoological Gardens?
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Under the supervision of the Supervisor - Animal Care Programs, the Animal Nutrition Specialist plays a critical role in ensuring the health and well-being of the Abilene Zoo’s animal collection through precise diet preparation, inventory management, and collaboration with animal care teams. This position is responsible for ensuring the highest standards of food safety and nutritional quality are consistently maintained.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED
Exercises functional and occasional direct supervision over assigned volunteers or interns.
Animal Nutrition Specialist II/III may exercise technical and functional supervision over Animal Nutrition Specialist I or Animal Nutrition Technicians.
IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES
Animal Nutrition Specialist I/II/III
Prepare, portion, and deliver daily diets for the animal collection according to established protocols and veterinary guidance.
Maintain food safety standards, including proper storage, handling, and labeling of perishable and non-perishable items.
Clean and sanitize workspaces, tools, and equipment to ensure compliance with health and safety standards
Conduct regular inventory checks and report shortages or surpluses to the Supervisor – Animal Care Programs
Record and monitor dietary changes, food consumption, and adjustments in accordance with animal care needs
Assist animal care staff with routine dietary enrichment and specialized feeding techniques.
Operate vehicles and equipment for the transportation of food and supplies.
Operate City vehicles, Zoo rides, attractions, and other motorized equipment.
Animal Nutrition Specialist I
Participates in procedures designed to meet the nutritional needs of exotic animals.
Focus on diet preparation and delivery for assigned sections.
Assist in inventory tracking and stock rotation.
Gain familiarity with species-specific dietary requirements.
Work in a professional manner with volunteers and interns. Take responsibility for training and guiding them in assigned tasks.
Identify and submit requests for work orders to the Supervisor - Animal Care Programs as needed.
Responsible for informing coworkers and supervisors of operational and/or procedural changes in order to maintain good communication.
Animal Nutrition Specialist II
Take primary responsibility for daily diet preparation, including specialized diets for animals with unique nutritional needs.
Completes required paperwork including daily reports, food inventories, work order requests, and supply requests.
Coordinate with the Supervisor – Animal Care Programs on ordering supplies and managing vendor relationships.
Train and mentor Animal Nutrition Specialist I and interns in proper diet preparation techniques.
Diligence in the inspection of diet items for freshness, quality, and contamination; reports to the Supervisor - Animal Care Programs when inaccuracies are discovered or quality falls below specifications.
Collaborate with animal care teams to refine and adjust diets based on observed behavior and health metrics.
Animal Nutrition Specialist III
Act as a developmental leader within the Animal Nutrition team, assisting the Supervisor – Animal Care Programs with planning, reporting, and budget management
Develop and implement improved processes for diet preparation, storage, and delivery.
Serve as the primary point of contact for cross-departmental coordination on nutritional matters
Conduct research on nutritional trends and recommend dietary enhancements.
Lead training sessions for animal care and nutrition staff on advanced dietary concepts
Assists in efficient operation of the commissary department.
OTHER JOB-RELATED DUTIES
Participation in AZA committees, as needed and in alignment with job-related duties.
Assist with zoo-wide events and initiatives as needed.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Perform other job-related duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Knowledge Of:
Animal nutrition principles and species-specific dietary requirements.
Safe food handling, preparation, and storage practices.
Basic animal behavior and health indicators related to diet.
Record-keeping and reporting practices.
Skill To:
Possess written and oral communication skills to understand instructions and information of a technical nature.
Accurately measure, prepare, and portion animal diets.
Must be capable of basic math and functional computer skills.
Exercise time management and efficiency practices.
Operate kitchen equipment, vehicles, and inventory management systems.
Mentor and train team members in diet preparation and food safety.
Plan and prioritize tasks to ensure timely delivery of diets.
Operate a motor vehicle safely.
Ability To:
Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with staff and vendors.
Ability to use hand/small power tools.
Maintain a high level of attention to detail and accuracy in diet preparation.
Work collaboratively with animal care teams to support overall animal health.
Adapt to changing priorities and unexpected challenges.
Ability to assist with an animal or public related emergency to prevent injury.
Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, both internally and externally.
Follow and embrace the City of Abilene Core Values – Respect, Integrity, Service Above Self, and Excellence in All We Do.
Perform as a team member in a manner that accomplishes the Division’s mission and treats team members with dignity, courtesy, and respect.
Animal Nutrition Specialist II/III
Lead, manage, and perform as a team member in a manner that accomplishes the Division’s mission and treats team members with dignity, courtesy, and respect.
Experience And Training Guidelines:
For positions with more than one level, all listed requirements at the lower levels are required at the higher levels. Any combination equivalent to experience and training to provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be qualifying. Knowledge, skills, and abilities may be obtained through:
Animal Nutrition Specialist I
Experience:
One (1) year of experience in food preparation, animal care, or a related field is required.
Education/Training:
A high school diploma or GED is required.
Coursework in biology, zoology, or animal science is preferred.
License Or Certificate:
A valid Texas driver’s license, the ability to obtain one within ninety (90) days of employment or a military waiver is required.
Animal Nutrition Specialist II
Experience:
Two (2) years of experience in animal nutrition or dietary preparation, including some experience with exotic species is preferred.
Education/Training:
A high school diploma or GED is required.
Coursework in biology, zoology, or animal science is preferred.
Advanced certifications in animal nutrition are preferred.
License Or Certificate:
A valid Texas driver’s license, the ability to obtain one within ninety (90) days of employment or a military waiver is required.
Animal Nutrition Specialist III
Experience:
Three (3) years of experience in animal nutrition is preferred.
Three (3) years of experience in leadership and mentoring staff is preferred.
License Or Certificate:
Experience in inventory management and food procurement is preferred.
A valid Texas driver’s license, the ability to obtain one within ninety (90) days of employment or a military waiver is required.
Special Requirements:
Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment:
In accordance with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), employees are required to not have any previous felony convictions related to a controlled substance.
Frequently handling a variety of feed animals (including rodents, chicks, fish and insects); occasionally processing whole animals for feed such as deer/cattle.
Work in a commercial kitchen environment with exposure to sharp tools and potentially slippery conditions.
Work independently.
Occasionally, work in climatic conditions, which includes rain, extreme cold or heat, and humidity.
Occasionally, work around moving mechanical parts such as hydraulic doors, fans, pumps, heaters, saws, meat saws, etc.
Occasionally, handle toxic and/or hazardous materials for cleaning facilities.
Willing to undergo a Tuberculosis (TB) test and provide a negative result prior to any involvement with animals and comply with annual testing thereafter.
Attends safety training as required. Encouraged to attend professional development programs when offered.
Bloodborne Pathogens training and HazCom training are required within sixty (60) days of employment.
First Aid/CPR certification and recertification are required following employment.
With or without accommodation, the “X” indicates the overall strength demand of the position during a typical workday:
___ Sedentary – lifting of no more than 10 pounds
___ Light – lifting no more than 20 pounds; carrying up to 10 pounds
_X_ Medium – lifting no more than 50 pounds; carrying up to 25 pounds
___ Heavy – lifting no more than 100 pounds; carrying up to 50 pounds
___ Very Heavy – team lifting over 100 pounds; carrying more than 50 pounds
Physical Demand Codes: The following describes whether or not the position is expected to exert the physical demands listed during a typical workday as well as the overall frequency of the task:
Codes For How Often:
N = No
E = Extensive (100 – 70% of the time)
M = Moderate (60 – 30% of the time)
I = Infrequent (20 – 10% of the time)
A = Almost Never (<10% of the time)
Code / Task
_E_ Standing
_I_ Sitting
_E_ Walking
_M_ Lifting
_M_ Carrying
_M_ Pushing/Pulling
_M_ Overhead Work
_E_ Fine Dexterity
_E_ Kneeling
_E_ Crouching
_I_ Crawling
_M_ Bending
_M_ Twisting
_M_ Climbing
_E_ Balancing
_E_ Vision
_E_ Hearing
_E_ Talking
_A_ Other: Running/Jumping
Under the supervision of the Supervisor - Animal Care Programs, the Animal Nutrition Specialist plays a critical role in ensuring the health and well-being of the Abilene Zoo’s animal collection through precise diet preparation, inventory management, and collaboration with animal care teams. This position is responsible for ensuring the highest standards of food safety and nutritional quality are consistently maintained.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED
Exercises functional and occasional direct supervision over assigned volunteers or interns.
Animal Nutrition Specialist II/III may exercise technical and functional supervision over Animal Nutrition Specialist I or Animal Nutrition Technicians.
IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES
Animal Nutrition Specialist I/II/III
Prepare, portion, and deliver daily diets for the animal collection according to established protocols and veterinary guidance.
Maintain food safety standards, including proper storage, handling, and labeling of perishable and non-perishable items.
Clean and sanitize workspaces, tools, and equipment to ensure compliance with health and safety standards
Conduct regular inventory checks and report shortages or surpluses to the Supervisor – Animal Care Programs
Record and monitor dietary changes, food consumption, and adjustments in accordance with animal care needs
Assist animal care staff with routine dietary enrichment and specialized feeding techniques.
Operate vehicles and equipment for the transportation of food and supplies.
Operate City vehicles, Zoo rides, attractions, and other motorized equipment.
Animal Nutrition Specialist I
Participates in procedures designed to meet the nutritional needs of exotic animals.
Focus on diet preparation and delivery for assigned sections.
Assist in inventory tracking and stock rotation.
Gain familiarity with species-specific dietary requirements.
Work in a professional manner with volunteers and interns. Take responsibility for training and guiding them in assigned tasks.
Identify and submit requests for work orders to the Supervisor - Animal Care Programs as needed.
Responsible for informing coworkers and supervisors of operational and/or procedural changes in order to maintain good communication.
Animal Nutrition Specialist II
Take primary responsibility for daily diet preparation, including specialized diets for animals with unique nutritional needs.
Completes required paperwork including daily reports, food inventories, work order requests, and supply requests.
Coordinate with the Supervisor – Animal Care Programs on ordering supplies and managing vendor relationships.
Train and mentor Animal Nutrition Specialist I and interns in proper diet preparation techniques.
Diligence in the inspection of diet items for freshness, quality, and contamination; reports to the Supervisor - Animal Care Programs when inaccuracies are discovered or quality falls below specifications.
Collaborate with animal care teams to refine and adjust diets based on observed behavior and health metrics.
Animal Nutrition Specialist III
Act as a developmental leader within the Animal Nutrition team, assisting the Supervisor – Animal Care Programs with planning, reporting, and budget management
Develop and implement improved processes for diet preparation, storage, and delivery.
Serve as the primary point of contact for cross-departmental coordination on nutritional matters
Conduct research on nutritional trends and recommend dietary enhancements.
Lead training sessions for animal care and nutrition staff on advanced dietary concepts
Assists in efficient operation of the commissary department.
OTHER JOB-RELATED DUTIES
Participation in AZA committees, as needed and in alignment with job-related duties.
Assist with zoo-wide events and initiatives as needed.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Perform other job-related duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Knowledge Of:
Animal nutrition principles and species-specific dietary requirements.
Safe food handling, preparation, and storage practices.
Basic animal behavior and health indicators related to diet.
Record-keeping and reporting practices.
Skill To:
Possess written and oral communication skills to understand instructions and information of a technical nature.
Accurately measure, prepare, and portion animal diets.
Must be capable of basic math and functional computer skills.
Exercise time management and efficiency practices.
Operate kitchen equipment, vehicles, and inventory management systems.
Mentor and train team members in diet preparation and food safety.
Plan and prioritize tasks to ensure timely delivery of diets.
Operate a motor vehicle safely.
Ability To:
Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with staff and vendors.
Ability to use hand/small power tools.
Maintain a high level of attention to detail and accuracy in diet preparation.
Work collaboratively with animal care teams to support overall animal health.
Adapt to changing priorities and unexpected challenges.
Ability to assist with an animal or public related emergency to prevent injury.
Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, both internally and externally.
Follow and embrace the City of Abilene Core Values – Respect, Integrity, Service Above Self, and Excellence in All We Do.
Perform as a team member in a manner that accomplishes the Division’s mission and treats team members with dignity, courtesy, and respect.
Animal Nutrition Specialist II/III
Lead, manage, and perform as a team member in a manner that accomplishes the Division’s mission and treats team members with dignity, courtesy, and respect.
Experience And Training Guidelines:
For positions with more than one level, all listed requirements at the lower levels are required at the higher levels. Any combination equivalent to experience and training to provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be qualifying. Knowledge, skills, and abilities may be obtained through:
Animal Nutrition Specialist I
Experience:
One (1) year of experience in food preparation, animal care, or a related field is required.
Education/Training:
A high school diploma or GED is required.
Coursework in biology, zoology, or animal science is preferred.
License Or Certificate:
A valid Texas driver’s license, the ability to obtain one within ninety (90) days of employment or a military waiver is required.
Animal Nutrition Specialist II
Experience:
Two (2) years of experience in animal nutrition or dietary preparation, including some experience with exotic species is preferred.
Education/Training:
A high school diploma or GED is required.
Coursework in biology, zoology, or animal science is preferred.
Advanced certifications in animal nutrition are preferred.
License Or Certificate:
A valid Texas driver’s license, the ability to obtain one within ninety (90) days of employment or a military waiver is required.
Animal Nutrition Specialist III
Experience:
Three (3) years of experience in animal nutrition is preferred.
Three (3) years of experience in leadership and mentoring staff is preferred.
License Or Certificate:
Experience in inventory management and food procurement is preferred.
A valid Texas driver’s license, the ability to obtain one within ninety (90) days of employment or a military waiver is required.
Special Requirements:
Essential duties require the following physical skills and work environment:
In accordance with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), employees are required to not have any previous felony convictions related to a controlled substance.
Frequently handling a variety of feed animals (including rodents, chicks, fish and insects); occasionally processing whole animals for feed such as deer/cattle.
Work in a commercial kitchen environment with exposure to sharp tools and potentially slippery conditions.
Work independently.
Occasionally, work in climatic conditions, which includes rain, extreme cold or heat, and humidity.
Occasionally, work around moving mechanical parts such as hydraulic doors, fans, pumps, heaters, saws, meat saws, etc.
Occasionally, handle toxic and/or hazardous materials for cleaning facilities.
Willing to undergo a Tuberculosis (TB) test and provide a negative result prior to any involvement with animals and comply with annual testing thereafter.
Attends safety training as required. Encouraged to attend professional development programs when offered.
Bloodborne Pathogens training and HazCom training are required within sixty (60) days of employment.
First Aid/CPR certification and recertification are required following employment.
With or without accommodation, the “X” indicates the overall strength demand of the position during a typical workday:
___ Sedentary – lifting of no more than 10 pounds
___ Light – lifting no more than 20 pounds; carrying up to 10 pounds
_X_ Medium – lifting no more than 50 pounds; carrying up to 25 pounds
___ Heavy – lifting no more than 100 pounds; carrying up to 50 pounds
___ Very Heavy – team lifting over 100 pounds; carrying more than 50 pounds
Physical Demand Codes: The following describes whether or not the position is expected to exert the physical demands listed during a typical workday as well as the overall frequency of the task:
Codes For How Often:
N = No
E = Extensive (100 – 70% of the time)
M = Moderate (60 – 30% of the time)
I = Infrequent (20 – 10% of the time)
A = Almost Never (<10% of the time)
Code / Task
_E_ Standing
_I_ Sitting
_E_ Walking
_M_ Lifting
_M_ Carrying
_M_ Pushing/Pulling
_M_ Overhead Work
_E_ Fine Dexterity
_E_ Kneeling
_E_ Crouching
_I_ Crawling
_M_ Bending
_M_ Twisting
_M_ Climbing
_E_ Balancing
_E_ Vision
_E_ Hearing
_E_ Talking
_A_ Other: Running/Jumping