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Oakland Zoo · 1 month ago

Animal Welfare & Research Program Manager

Oakland, CA

Full-time

Onsite

Senior Level

$32/hr - $37/hr

5+ years exp

Oakland Zoo is an award-winning facility dedicated to inspiring respect for the natural world. They are seeking an Animal Welfare & Research Program Manager to oversee daily operations, manage program execution, and coordinate with external partners for wildlife rescue and conservation efforts.

Wildlife Conservation

Responsibilities

Leads and supervises the daily and routine needs of AWR rescue, conservation/recovery, welfare, and other research programs, daily husbandry and care of the ex situ wildlife, staff and volunteers, and facilities within AWR, including the Biodiversity Center

Plan, organize, prioritize, and manage: research as directed by Director of AWR and in coordination with Sections in ACCR and Zoo departments, welfare and research partners, governmental agencies, universities, and students multiple wildlife recovery programs onsite and in the field, developing and maintaining permitting, protocol, and regulatory compliance; biosecurity; lab and field safety; and coordinating scheduling, strategy, and logistics for collections, reintroductions, and other lab and field activities with state and federal agencies and partners regional and national rescue animal placement in coordination with Wildlife Confiscations Network and state and federal agencies, including developing and managing case-related database(s), maintaining professional relationships with law enforcement, litigators, animal facilities, and other partners, and setting short- to moderate-term program goals with AZA-WCN field programs, including coordination of staff and volunteer scheduling and performance, transportation, supplies and other resources, safety, and other logistics

Develop policy and protocol for new or emerging strategic opportunities in wildlife rescue and recovery, informing resource needs, logistics, and capacity

Maintain excellent records and inventories for the Biodiversity Building and all research, recovery and rescue programs. This includes budget and staff tracking, supply management, animal records, and permitting

Facilitate maintenance, grounds, vehicle, and other work orders for the Biodiversity Center and associated program facilities and assets

Implement AWR/ACCR priorities as well as demonstrate the initiative and expertise to regularly find ways to make improvements in administrative processes, management, and small and large facilities projects

Serves as liaison between the Zoo and agencies, universities, and other AWR program partners to ensure permit, deliverables, and expectations are being met

Serves as a resource to AWR/ACCR, Zoo, and partners on all aspects of natural history, captive and recovery management, and welfare of the species under their care

Participate in direct program activities, as needed

Assists Director of AWR in: writing research and permit reports and grants department in strategic program planning, setting department strategy, developing and tracking budget, and staff and community engagement long-range campus planning as it related to AWR, conservation needs, and industry trends

Take the lead in addressing potential problems and emergencies within AWR, including the Biodiversity Center, and ACCR as needed

Provides lectures and presentations at professional and academic institutions, seminars, conferences, and workshops; contributes to professional and academic publications

Coordinate other projects, as assigned

Can serve as acting Director of AWR when they are away for extended period

Supervises, trains, manages and develops AWR staff teams, including Scientific Technicians, Scientific Aides, Research Fellows, project scientists, contracted specialists, interns, students, and volunteers in AWR programs

Assists Director of AWR in performance management

Qualification

Wildlife managementResearch methodsSupervisory experienceBiosafety proceduresProject managementCollaborationOrganizationTechnological AptitudeSustainabilityWildlife AwareCommunicationLeadershipTime ManagementRelationship-Building

Required

Bachelor's degree in zoology, biology or a related field

Minimum 5 years full time professional experience in the care of wildlife at an AZA zoo, aquarium, or comparable accredited facility

Extensive knowledge of natural history, captive wildlife management, and the habits, hazards, and safety protocols associated with zoo animals; willingness to work with some physical risk while following proper precautions

Strong understanding of research methods, study design, and scientific literature, with demonstrated critical thinking and analytical skills

Knowledge and experience in quarantine, biosafety, and disease-mitigation procedures across diverse taxa; working knowledge of amphibian/chelonian, rodent/lagomorph, and/or terrestrial invertebrate care

Familiarity with water quality and filtration systems, wildlife conservation and recovery practices (field and/or lab), and regulations governing captive and releasable wildlife

Involvement in the wild animal profession beyond the Zoo (e.g., professional organizations, fieldwork, activism)

Minimum 1 year of experience as a supervisor responsible for training, supervision, and providing performance feedback and conflict resolution

Valid driver's license and clean driving record

Willingness to work outside normal business hours including weekends and holidays

Medical requirements: Negative TB test within the last year, Tetanus vaccine within the last 10 years

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

Impact - Inspired to contribute to the success of a project or the organization

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

Passion – wholeheartedly believes in, represents, and models Oakland Zoo's mission and PRIDE values at all times

Presentation – able to convey ideas clearly and sensitively, highlight key takeaways and translate impact; have thoughtful presence, can quickly build rapport with others, and are comfortable in front of a variety of audiences

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

Self-motivated– effectively navigates multiple, simultaneous tasks with excellent attention to detail and deadlines. Enthusiastically identifies and approaches opportunities without regular supervision

Solution-oriented – utilizes an open-minded and strengths-based approach to finding solutions for complex challenges

Relationship-Building: able to build and maintain trusting relationships and mutually beneficial partnerships with internal and external stakeholders

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

Technological Aptitude – able to quickly understand, develop and maintain functional digital systems

Time Management – strong capabilities with a demonstrated ability to effectively prioritize multiple commitments

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