Supervisor, Sea Lions & Penguins

Company: Houston Zoo
Location: Houston
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

We are seeking a dynamic and dedicated professional with experience in marine animal husbandry and training, particularly with Pinnipeds and Penguins. The ideal candidate will be highly motivated, team-oriented, and possess strong leadership skills, including proven experience in managing both animals and staff. The Houston Zoo’s primary goal is to ensure the highest quality of life for each animal in our care, and to strive for standards of excellence in animal welfare and husbandry. The Houston Zoo connects communities with animals, inspiring action to save wildlife. We take pride in supporting efforts that save wildlife from extinction by working to implement comprehensive conservation strategies and developing partnerships to increase knowledge and support in communities. Our Mission: The Houston Zoo connects communities with animals, inspiring action to save wildlife. Our Vision: To be a leader in the global movement to save wildlife. Position Summary The Supervisor will oversee both Animal Keepers and the animals within the department, ensuring excellence in care and operations. This role involves active participation in daily husbandry, training, and maintenance tasks, including SCUBA or surface-supplied diving. The ideal candidate will be an effective communicator and a visible, supportive leader for the team. Job Duties and Responsibilities Contributes to saving animals in the wild through reduction of waste, water and energy use and serves as an inspiration for guests and staff to do likewise. Collaborates with the team and institution to develop and refine programming and materials, focusing on animals and conservation. Responsible for the health and welfare of all animals within assigned areas. Possesses a high-level of skill in operant conditioning as it relates to the daily management of species under the supervisor’s care. Communicates with veterinary staff to help develop and refine best practices in animal husbandry and welfare. Ensures animal records and ZIMS entries are accurate and up to date. Ensures regulations are followed within standards of USDA, OSHA and AZA. Assists with coordination and implementation of animal transports. Ability to communicate professionally and efficiently with all levels of management. Communicates with other facilities regarding animal management. Assists with institutional and departmental projects and initiatives. Communicates with maintenance staff on project management including completion and tracking of active work orders. Creates schedules, assuring adequate coverage in all areas. Evaluates performance of zookeepers routinely to assist with growth. Demonstrates strong team building and problem-solving skills. Supervises the selection, training, development, appraisal, and work assignments of personnel. Participates in appropriate AZA/SSP meetings/communication. Ultimately responsible for volunteers and interns and works in collaboration with department keepers to manage volunteer and intern programs as necessary. Manages and approves time sheets and vacation submittals. Orders supplies while ensuring the department stays within an approved budget. Creates new Standard Operating Procedures as necessary and refines procedures as necessary. As appropriate, maintains water quality through filtration, balance of chemical elements, and sanitation methods for aquatic or semi-aquatic animal species, and maintains open communication with the water quality team. Performs other duties as necessary. Education and Experience Bachelor's degree (BA or BS) from four-year college or university in zoology, biology, animal husbandry or a related field Experience and education may be considered equivalent at the rate of six months of experience per 15 hours of college level credit, up to 60 hours. A certificate of completion from an acceptable animal care program may be substituted for a bachelor’s degree. Minimum of six years employment experience in animal care at an AZA or equivalent facility. Supervisory and/or leadership experience is desirable. Ability to work effectively and efficiently under minimal supervision. Must have or be able to obtain a valid Texas driver’s license. Must possess the ability to lift 50 pounds unassisted. Open Water SCUBA certification is required. The ability to serve regularly as a part of the dive team is critical. Strong interpersonal, team building, and communication skills are essential. Proof of vaccination against COVID-19 is a requirement for this position. Physical Demands and Work Environment Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling when walking, standing or crouching on narrow or slippery surfaces. Ability to swiftly respond or move quickly and demonstrate good hand eye coordination in time sensitive situations. Activities in which you must convey by spoken word or instruction to other workers accurately, loudly or quickly. Moderate physical activity performing somewhat strenuous daily activities. Manual dexterity sufficient to reach/handle items, works with the fingers, and perceives attributes of objects and materials. Produce negative test results for annual tuberculosis testing and vaccination for rabies or other zoonotic diseases. Outdoors and indoor environment with adequate ventilation. Moderate to loud noise. Exposure to significant levels of heat, cold, moisture and/or air pollution. Exposure to potentially dangerous animals and zoonotic diseases, chemical substances and physical trauma of a minor nature such as cuts, bruises and minor burns. Work Hours and Scheduling Hours include normal zoo operating hours, weekends, evenings, holidays, special events and extended hours. Position requires a high level of flexibility for scheduling, the ability to provide staff coverage (scheduled or in last minute situations), and participation in ride-out crews for emergency preparedness. Minimal overnight travel (up to 10%) by land and/or air. ABOUT THE HOUSTON ZOO The Houston Zoo is made up of many moving parts with over 6,000 permanent residents (our animals) for whom we provide housing, meals, medical care and yes, even education! There are over 2 million guests each year who come to experience our incredible variety of animals and ecosystems, as well as attend special private and public events and entertainment. Our dedicated staff works around the clock to ensure that the Zoo is always running smoothly for the safety and well-being of our residents and guests. We strive to ensure the protection of all the counterparts of the animals we have at the Zoo and in the wild.

Keywords: Houston Zoo, The Woodlands , Supervisor, Sea Lions & Penguins, Science, Research & Development , Houston, Texas