Zoological Manager

Description

 Application Process

• Applicants must submit a cover letter and resume under the "Upload Additional Files" portion of the application. Applicants who do not submit these will be declined.
• The cover letter should be one page and include an overview of your animal care and wildlife management experience and how it relates to the position, as well as relevant experience with captive wildlife and progressive leadership or supervisory responsibilities.
• Applicants selected for candidacy are required to attend an on-site working interview.

Pay range: To maintain internal equity, we have identified the range for this position at the Oakland Zoo as $98,102.98 - $101,753.82 annually. An offer within this range will be determined by the experience and qualifications of a candidate and will be our best and final compensation offer, in alignment with Oakland Zoo's compensation philosophy.

Position Summary

The Zoological Manager (ZM) is a leadership position responsible for a designated work area (Section) which is comprised of multiple species (strings) in the Department. The ZM has extensive knowledge and experience in wildlife natural history and captive management. The ZM will oversee management of the animals in their Section including daily care, medical management, population management, transfers, acquisitions and introductions. This area of responsibility includes chimpanzees, lesser apes, baboons and other primates, sun bears, Amazon parrots, wallaroos, emus, and the flamingo aviary divided amongst several work areas.

This position is focused on leadership, administration and strategic operations within their Section. The ZM has oversight over all staff, volunteers and interns in the Section. The ZM is trained as a floating keeper to be able to help or cover all the strings within their Section as necessary. The ZM will take charge of additional Sections in the absence of another ZM or the entire the Department as needed. 

Essential Job Duties

• Lead and oversee management of the animals in their section including daily care, medical management, population management, transfers, acquisitions and introductions, with a focus on aligning practices with departmental strategy and long-term animal program goals. 
• Oversee service areas and animal facilities to ensure they meet Zoo standards and meet or exceed USDA and AZA requirements. 
• Assess, respond to, and lead during urgent or emergency situations, acting as the senior on-site decision-maker when needed. 
• Implement department and Zoo priorities, and demonstrate the initiative and expertise to identify and drive ongoing improvements, contributing to broader institutional goals through strategic initiatives and innovation. 
• Lead planning and oversight of small and large facility maintenance and improvement projects including research to inform plan, approving and tracking work orders, instruct and coordinate Zoo support staff and contractors, while managing associated budgets and timelines. 
• Represent the Zoo appropriately in a variety of public settings, including press interviews, instructional classes, Behind-the-Scenes tours, and informal interactions with Zoo guests. 
• Identify, coordinate, and oversee maintenance, grounds, and horticultural operations in and around animal areas, performing work as needed or coordinating staff and contractors to ensure safe and efficient completion of projects. 
• Manage Department Programs such as emergency response teams, research programs, and behavioral observation programs. This may also include participation in the Emergency Immobilization Team, Animal Dispatch Team, and/or Gondola Rescue team. 
• Assist keepers with routine string work and provide string coverage as needed. 
• Perform other related duties as required and assigned. 

Supervisory Responsibility:

• Hires, supervises, develops and oversees performance management of the Assistant Zoological Manager (AZM), all Keeper staff in their Section, including Keeper Aides, Temporary Keepers, Keepers, Senior Keepers and Lead Keepers. 
• Hires, supervises, and develops the Keepers, Senior Keepers and Lead Keepers in their section with support from the AZM and keeper team.

Who you are:

• Minimum of 8 years paid full time paid experience in the care of captive wildlife in the zoo field (preferably at an AZA or GFAS facility), including a minimum of 2 years of experience working with primates.
• Minimum of 3 years experience in a supervisory, leadership, or management position, including leadership training/conflict management. 
• Expert knowledge of the natural history and captive wildlife management for the animals under their care to ensure their best possible physical and psychological well-being. 
• Significant knowledge and experience in behavioral training theory and practical application, including effective training of animals in their Section for management, husbandry and medical care. 
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, Google Drive, and TRACKS/ZIMS. 
• Experience leading department programs such as emergency response, research, behavioral husbandry, and behavioral observation. 
• Able to lead animal capture, restraint, transport, medical procedures and treatments, and data collection and analysis for animal assessments and research. 
• Strong knowledge of species nutrition and food sourcing, including edible and toxic plant identification. 
• Possesses strong understanding and compliance with safety and emergency response protocols. 
• Ability to effectively train others and to do Behind the Scene Tours, press interviews, instructional classes, and casual communication with Zoo guests. 
• Ability to safely use tools and equipment such as chainsaws, drills, and electric saws. 
• Valid driver's license and clean driving record; able to operate dump trucks, standard trucks, electric carts, all-terrain vehicles, and, when needed, a Bobcat tractor, lift, or excavator. 
• Willingness to work outside normal business hours including weekends, evenings, and holidays. 
• Medical requirements: negative TB test within the last year, tetanus vaccine within the last 10 years, measles vaccine. 

Bonus if you have:

• Bachelor's or advanced degree in zoology, biology or a related field. 
• Experience working with baboons and chimpanzees, and additional working knowledge of a broad range of species. 
• Experience coordinating emergency response equipment, including live firearms, or darting equipment. 
• Involvement in the wild animal profession outside of the Zoo (professional organizations, field work, activism, etc.). 
• Experience working with a Bargaining Unit/Unionized Staff with a focus on collaboration, robust communication and shared goals. 

Work Environment - Environmental or atmospheric conditions commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job. 

• Work in indoor and outdoor environments in various weather conditions, sometimes in or around significant dirt and dust. 

Physical Considerations - The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. 

• Able to lift a minimum of 50 lbs. (i.e., feed sack) and move a minimum of 120 lbs. (i.e., hay bale). 
• Able to walk long distances on uneven terrain in variable environmental conditions (e.g., steep, muddy, etc.). 

Knowledge/Skills/Qualities - May be representative, but not all-inclusive, of those knowledge, skills and abilities commonly associated with this position. 

• Leadership – mentors, advises, and develops people across identities with consideration for cultural relevance and responsiveness, self-awareness around implicit bias and understanding of the power dynamics that exist in organizations. 
• Project management – effectively prioritizes commitments, driving forward multiple high-profile and complex projects simultaneously with flexibility, resourcefulness, and agility to adapt to shifting organizational needs. 
• Wildlife Aware – understands mission to support the conservation and welfare of animals at the Zoo, locally and globally. This is demonstrated by a willingness/passion to reflect this mission in all actions and to continue to learn how to take action for wildlife. 
• Analytical and Conceptual Aptitude – engages in and facilitates broad organizational strategic thinking/planning with awareness of equity, inclusion, accessibility, and cultural relevance. 
• Communication – communicates respectfully and effectively with stakeholders across identities, both verbally and in writing. 
• Collaboration – builds trusting relationships with both internal and external stakeholders across our organization and community-wide and approaches differences of opinion with curiosity and humility. 
• Dependability – demonstrates trustworthiness and reliability, including while working with little or no direct supervision. 
• Flexibility – nimbly adapts to evolving priorities and urgent needs; handles intervals of high pressure while maintaining perspective and humor. 
• Inclusive Culture – fosters a culture of mutual respect, transparency, collaboration and belonging which allows all employees to feel appreciated, included, and valued. 
• Inclusive Facilitation – able to comfortably move a group through pre-determined content while balancing inclusion and timing; able to flexibly weave in related content to make connections for learners and adjust or pivot when needed. 
• Relationship-Building – able to build and maintain trusting relationships and mutually beneficial partnerships with internal and external stakeholders. 
• Organization – strong attention to details and able to build and/or maintain efficient systems. 
• Time management – strong capabilities with a demonstrated ability to effectively prioritize multiple commitments. 
• Passion – wholeheartedly believes in, represents, and models Oakland Zoo's mission and PRIDE values at all times. 
• Solution-oriented – utilizes an open-minded and strengths-based approach to finding solutions for complex challenges. 
• Sustainability – oriented toward the mission and values of Oakland Zoo and able to put those into practice by finding creative and resourceful ways to develop sustainable practices within your role and department. 
• Self-motivated – effectively navigates multiple, simultaneous tasks with excellent attention to detail and deadlines. Enthusiastically identifies and approaches opportunities without regular supervision. 
• Technological Aptitude – able to quickly understand, develop and maintain functional digital systems. 

Benefits

Oakland Zoo offers a comprehensive benefits package which begins on 1st of the month following the date of hire. The package includes health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, Flexible Spending Account, optional 403b retirement plan, Paid Time Off, Employee Assistance Program, and Zoo Membership options.