Assistant Director of Carnivores and Ungulates

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Philadelphia Zoo

Assistant Director of Carnivores and Ungulates

General Description

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
• Excellent project management skills;
• 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

72000-78000

How to Apply

Please follow this link: https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=3a170fe7-028b-4495-833f-df518cfad772&ccId=81367185_1790&type=JS〈=en_US&jobId=578263

Philadelphia Zoo

3400 W Girard Ave

Philadelphia , PA 19104

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