Facility

Oakland Zoo

Closing Date

[jobclosingdate]

Description

Who We Are

The Oakland Zoo (managed by The Conservation Society of California) is an award-winning facility stretching 100 acres and overlooking the city of Oakland atop the hills of beautiful Knowland Park. Our mission is to inspire respect for and stewardship of the natural world, while providing a quality visitor experience. As an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), The Zoo is part of the largest conservation organization in the nation. Our employees take PRIDE in our values of being Positive, Respectful, Inquisitive, Driven and Effective members of a team who places the care of our animals, stewardship of the natural environment, and the experience of our guests at the forefront of all that we do.

Oakland Zoo’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Access

We believe that all people should have safe access to the Zoo and culturally relevant and responsive experiences with our staff, programs, and curriculum. The Oakland Zoo is also striving to create an equitable and inclusive internal culture where all staff members feel represented and valued for their identities and lived experiences. We examine how power, bias, race, and other aspects of identity impact our organization. We work to build a culture of continuous learning and improvement toward a vision of equity and belonging for all staff. We are looking for team members who can actively join us in this process. We are committed to reflecting the diverse community in which we exist and strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ identifying folks, and women to apply.

Position Summary

The Assistant Zoological Manager (AZM) plays a vital role on our Animal Care, Conservation and Research (ACCR) Team. They are responsible for a designated work area (section) comprising multiple species (strings) in the Department. This Section of responsibility includes chimpanzees, lesser apes, baboons and other primates, sun bears, Amazon parrots, pudu, wallaroos, emus, and the Zoo’s education animals divided amongst several work areas (Strings). The AZM will supervise staff, including Senior and Lead Keepers, Animal Keepers, Apprentice Keepers, as well as interns, volunteers, and behavioral observers. The AZM will spend the majority of their time on supervisory and administrative tasks.

Essential Job Duties

-Conduct staff training, development, performance management and evaluation within their Section
– Take charge of additional Sections in the absence of another ZM or the entire department as needed
– Manage small and large facility maintenance and improvement projects
– Oversee management of the animals in their Section including daily care, medical
– Implement Department/Zoo priorities and demonstrate the initiative and expertise to regularly find ways to make improvements management, population management, transfers, acquisitions, and introductions
– Appropriately represent the Zoo in a variety of public settings including press interviews, instructional classes, Behind the Scenes Tours and informal communications with Zoo guests
– Take the lead to address all potential problems and emergencies
– Conduct various administrative and future planning tasks as assigned by the Section ZM
– Perform other related duties as required and assigned

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

– 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.
– Communication – communicates respectfully and effectively with stakeholders across identities, both verbally and in writing
– 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
– 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.
– 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
– Sustainability – oriented toward the mission and values of the Oakland Zoo and able to put those into practice by finding creative and resourceful ways to develop sustainable practices within your role and department
– Passion – wholeheartedly believes in, represents, and models Oakland Zoo’s mission and PRIDE values at all times
– 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

The Conservation Society of California is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, marital status or other characteristics protected by law. The Conservation Society of California also promotes respect for all people and will not tolerate harassment based on any of these characteristics.

Education and Pre-requisites

Who You Are:
– Minimum of 5 years of experience in wild animal care in an accredited facility
– Minimum of 2 years of experience working with Great apes, preferably chimpanzees
– Minimum of 1 years of experience as a supervisor- responsible for training, supervision, providing performance feedback and conflict resolution
– Bachelor’s degree in zoology, biology or a related field or equivalent experience
– Valid driver’s license
– Willingness to work outside normal business hours, including weekends and holidays
– Experience with public presentation
– Extensive knowledge of the natural history and captive management of wild animals
– Extensive knowledge and experience in behavioral training theory and practical application
– Leadership and/or management training and experience
– Extensive knowledge of the habits and hazards of working with wild, dangerous animals; willingness to work with some physical risk while observing proper safety precautions
– Extensive knowledge of and experience in wildlife natural history and captive management
Able to lift a minimum of 50 lbs. (i.e., feed sack) and move a minimum of 120 lbs. (i.e. hay bale)
– The Oakland Zoo requires COVID vaccination*

Bonus if you have…

– Working knowledge of a broad range of species
– Experience coordinating emergency response procedures, including live firearms, or darting equipment
– Computer proficiency
– Involvement in the wild animal profession outside of the Zoo (professional organizations, field work, activism, etc.)

The Oakland Zoo does not expect every applicant to have every skill and qualification listed here and will consider the combination of formal education, training, and practical experience of each applicant. We are committed to supporting the career development of our employees. A strong candidate who is interested in growing and learning in this role will possess at least 75% of the following qualifications. If this is you, then we strongly encourage you to apply.

Compensation and benefits

$56,406 – $82,679 (Depending on Experience)

Comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, life insurance, PTO (Paid Time Off) and 403B retirement benefits.

Application instructions

Submit Resume, cover letter, and 3 professional references (a minimum of one should be a past supervisor) to: Colleen Kinzley Vice President of Animal Care, Conservation and Research colleen@oaklandzoo.org. Applicants selected for candidacy are required to attend an on-site working interview.