Philadelphia Zoo · Pennsylvania · posted 11 days ago
The Assistant Director of Carnivores and Ungulates provides hands-on leadership and operational support for the Zoo’s carnivore and ungulate collection. Reporting to the Director of Carnivores and Ungulates, this position oversees a team of Animal Care Specialists, ensuring excellence in animal husbandry, welfare practices, and guest engagement. The Assistant Director fosters a culture of safety, collaboration, and professional growth, supporting daily operations while driving innovation and accountability. Through effective team leadership and commitment to animal well-being, this role helps advance the Zoo’s mission of exceptional animal care, conservation, and education. Essential Job Functions • Reasonable Accommodations Statement: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. • Directly supervises specialist staff, providing coaching, mentoring, and formal evaluations. • Oversee daily animal husbandry, enrichment, welfare, training, and exhibit maintenance in accordance with AZA and USDA standards. • Along with specialists, conducts welfare assessments, monitors animal health and behavior, and ensures accurate recordkeeping. • Supports the development and implementation of animal collection plans, breeding programs, and transfers. • Demonstrates strong attention to detail and commitment to adhering to established standard operating procedures, policies, and the employee handbook • Supports the development, updating and implementation of SOP’s and policies to improve operational efficiency and compliance • Collaborates with Animal Health and Nutrition to create individualized health and diet plans. • Schedules and coordinates keeper assignments to ensure smooth daily operations. • Serves as the first point of contact for keeper staff, fostering open communication and a positive team environment. • Ensures that animal facilities are clean, safe, and well-maintained; directs routine and emergency repairs. • Oversee ordering, inventory, and maintenance of equipment and supplies. • Contributes to exhibit design, facility renovation, and improvement planning. • Serves as a trained member of the animal recapture team; upholds safety protocols for staff and guests. • Along with the Director of Behavioral Husbandry, develops and coordinates behavioral husbandry programs to promote animal welfare and natural behaviors. • Provides staff training in behavioral husbandry techniques and emerging best practices. • Participates in public education programs, presentations, and training demonstrations. • Works with other departments to ensure accurate exhibit signage and engaging guest experiences. • Supports AZA Species Survival Plan (SSP) participation, regional and international program involvement, and conservation initiatives. • Serves as a contributing member of the Animal Management Team (AMT). • Will participate in ex situ and/or in situ conservation initiatives. Examples include but are not limited to public education, marketing, research projects, SSPs, SAFE, TAGs, etc. Represents the Zoo in professional forums and collaborative projects. Culture & Team Development • Drives a high-performance, values-aligned culture that centers on animal wellbeing, safety, communication, and shared accountability. • Demonstrates empathy, patience, and awareness when navigating complex team dynamics or responding to staff concerns. • Identifies and addresses cultural drift; promotes psychological safety and collaborative decision-making across animal teams. • Mentors staff through coaching and developmental planning. • Models the Zoo’s values by fostering inclusivity, innovation, and continuous learning within and across departments. • Ability to clearly and respectfully communicate across all levels of the organization—from frontline staff to executive leadership. • Skilled in active listening, asking thoughtful questions, and incorporating diverse perspectives into decision-making. • Foster trust and strong working relationships with colleagues and cross-departmental partners to promote shared ownership and consistent implementation of best practices. • Balances long-term vision with present-day team needs. Knowledge, Skills and Ability Requirements: • Effective organizational skills and two-way communication skills; • Ability to collaborate and work within a team; • Effective communicator with the ability to train and mentor staff; • Strong knowledge of carnivore and ungulate management, welfare, and behavioral husbandry; familiarity with additional taxa preferred; • Proficiency in scheduling, recordkeeping, and reporting systems; • Ability to work independently. • Ability to prioritize, make decisions and problem solve; • Ability to give and receive feedback; • Willingness to continuous learn and participate in professional development opportunities • High emotional intelligence • Can work both independently and in a team, ability to effectively present information and answer questions; • Ability to remain curious or seek appropriate ways to solve problems; unquestionable integrity Working Conditions, Physical, Medical & Additional Requirements • No allergies related to plants or animals that may interfere with the ability to work. • Successful completion of a medical screening with emphasis on cardiovascular, respiratory and skeletal systems and drug test prior to starting work. • Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions. • Ability to remain on feet for extended periods, climb stairs, bend and stoop. • No impairment of sight, smell, hearing, touch, balance or agility of movement that might interfere with the ability to work. • Ability to lift up to 50 pounds. • Immunocompetence (possible exposure to infectious and parasitic diseases.) • The ability to be trained to use firearms and act as a member of the Animal Escape Team. • Engages in professional development as part of a commitment to excellence, innovation, and the Zoo’s mission of growth and leadership in animal care and conservation. EEO Statement: • The Philadelphia Zoo is an equal opportunity employer. • Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to protected characteristics like race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or veteran status. Salary • 78000
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