Senior Curator of Reptiles & Amphibians

About the Role
The Senior Curator of Reptiles and Amphibians is responsible for the strategic leadership, management, and long-term development of the institution's herpetological collection, including reptiles, amphibians, and associated conservation programs. The role provides direction and oversight for all aspects of collection management, including animal welfare, species-specific husbandry, conservation breeding, population management, veterinary collaboration, staff development, operational safety, exhibit planning, and scientific research.
As the institution's lead herpetological specialist, the Senior Curator is expected to possess exceptional technical expertise in the management of both threatened species and highly specialized taxa, including species with complex environmental, nutritional, reproductive, and behavioral requirements. The position plays a critical role in advancing the institution's contribution to reptile and amphibian conservation, particularly through participation in regional and international One Plan Conservation initiatives that integrate in-situ and ex-situ conservation efforts.
The successful candidate will combine strong scientific knowledge with practical management expertise and leadership capability. They will foster a culture of professionalism, accountability, safety, innovation, and evidence-based decision making, while ensuring that the welfare of the collection remains the highest priority.

Key Responsibilities

• The Senior Curator of Reptiles and Amphibians leads the planning, management, and long-term development of all herpetological programs across the institution. The position ensures that all reptiles and amphibians are managed according to the highest international standards of husbandry, welfare, conservation, veterinary care, and population sustainability.
• Particular emphasis is placed on maintaining and advancing best practice management of rare, threatened, and biologically sensitive species. The successful candidate must demonstrate a deep understanding of environmental management, reproductive biology, nutrition, incubation, neonatal care, life-support requirements, and species-specific husbandry techniques required for successfully maintaining specialist reptile and amphibian collections.
• The role is responsible for developing and implementing collection plans, breeding strategies, and conservation priorities. This includes recommendations regarding animal acquisitions, transfers, breeding programs, population management, and participation in international species management initiatives. The Senior Curator works closely with regional and international breeding program coordinators, conservation organizations, governmental agencies, research institutions, and zoological partners to ensure that institutional collections contribute meaningfully to species recovery and conservation outcomes.
• A particular focus of the position is the development and implementation of One Plan Conservation approaches, especially for threatened regional taxa. The Senior Curator is expected to identify opportunities where the institution's collection can directly support conservation action through conservation breeding, assurance populations, research programs, field conservation partnerships, capacity building, and species recovery initiatives.
• The position works closely with Veterinary Services, Animal Welfare, Nutrition, Animal Registry, Conservation, Facilities, Education, and Guest Experience teams to ensure integrated management of all programs and to support broader institutional objectives. The Senior Curator also provides specialist technical input into exhibit design, environmental systems, quarantine facilities, breeding centres, and capital development projects.

Qualifications & Experience
Essential

• Master's Degree in Zoology, Herpetology, Wildlife Management, Conservation Biology, Animal Science, Veterinary Science, Ecology, or a closely related discipline.
• Experience in managing significant reptile and amphibian collections, conservation breeding programs, species recovery initiatives, or specialized herpetological facilities.
• Experience working with a diverse range of reptiles and amphibians, including threatened species, conservation breeding programs, and specialized husbandry programs.

Desirable

• Doctoral degree or additional advanced qualification in herpetology, conservation, evolutionary biology, or related fields.
• Experience within AZA, EAZA, WAZA, SEAZA, BIAZA, ZAA, PAAZA, or similarly accredited zoological institutions.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and performance-based incentives.
• Opportunities for professional development and training.
• Supportive work environment that fosters innovation and excellence.

Contract

• Full-time position.

Travel Details

• The position may require occasional travel for conferences, training, or collaborative projects.