Director/Chief Operating Officer:
Executes policies as directed by the governing authority. Responsible for the institution’s operation and plans for future development.
Assistant Director:
Assists the director and assumes charge in the director’s absence.
Finance Manager/Director:
Manages the institution’s finances, including payment of bills, purchasing, investments, and the preparation of financial statements.
General Curator:
Oversees an institution’s entire animal collection and animal management staff. Responsible for strategic collection planning.
Animal Curator:
Manages a certain portion of an institution’s animal collection (i.e. mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, etc).
Veterinarian:
Responsible for the healthcare program for the animal collection and the maintenance of health records.
Veterinary Technician:
Assists the veterinarian and provides care to the animals under the supervision of the veterinarian.
Registrar:
Maintains computer records on the animal collection and applies for permits and licenses to hold or transport animals.
Curator/Coordinator/Director of Research:
Supervises research projects, serves as liaison between the institution and the academic community, publishes articles in scientific journals.
Curator/Coordinator/Director of Conservation:
Oversees the institution’s conservation activities, including field projects. Serves as liaison with government wildlife agencies and other conservation organizations.
Conservation Biologist/Zoologist:
Provides scientific and technical assistance in the management of the animal collection and assists in conducting various research or field conservation projects.
Head Keeper/Aquarist:
Supervises a section or department of the institution; provides training and scheduling for keepers.
Senior Keeper/Aquarist:
Provides primary animal care for a department.
Keeper/Aquarist:
Provides daily care to the institution’s animals, including diet preparation, cleaning, general exhibit maintenance, and record keeping.
Operations Director/Manager:
Responsible for the daily operation of the institution’s physical plant and equipment.
Curator of Exhibits:
Creates exhibits and assists in the design of graphics.
Curator of Horticulture:
Responsible for the botanical collection and its application to the animal collection, as well as daily maintenance of the institution’s grounds.
Curator of Education:
Plans and implements the institution’s education programs.
Public Relations/Affairs Manager/Director:
Promotes the institution, its mission, and its programs to the public via the media.
Development Director/Officer:
Develops and manages fundraising activities which can include writing grant proposals and attracting corporate sponsors, as well as soliciting private donations.
Marketing Director/Manager:
Creates advertising campaigns and other activities to increase public awareness of the institution.
Special Events Manager/Coordinator:
Develops and implements events to attract visitors throughout the year.
Membership Director/Manager:
Responsible for maintaining and increasing institution memberships for families and individuals and designing special events for members only. May also be in charge of “adopt-an-animal” programs to raise funds.
Gift Shop Manager:
Manages staff and all aspects of gift shop operation from buying products to designing shops.
Visitor Services Manager:
Supervises the staff and facilities that cater to the visiting public including concessions and restrooms.
Personnel Manager/Director:
Responsible for all personnel matters including payroll, insurance, and tax matters.
Volunteer Coordinator:
Responsible for recruiting and maintaining a staff of volunteers/docents. Duties include scheduling docents for on- and off-grounds activities and keeping docents abreast of new developments to relate to the public.
Docent/Volunteer:
Duties may include diet preparation, small animal care, teaching educational programs, leading group tours, and staffing special events.
Junior Keeper:
Some institutions offer a summer program for high school students who wish to volunteer in a zoo or aquarium setting. Duties are often similar to those of other volunteers, but they are supervised much more closely.