Primate Wildlife Care Manager - Full Time - San Diego Zoo

San Diego Zoo; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 78,000 - 87,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a renowned conservation leader as a Primate Wildlife Care Manager, where your expertise in animal care and team management will play a vital role in ensuring the welfare of a diverse wildlife collection. This dynamic position involves overseeing a dedicated team, implementing best practices in animal husbandry, and contributing to strategic planning for wildlife care. You'll be part of a mission-driven organization that inspires passion for nature and conservation, providing a unique opportunity to make a significant impact in wildlife preservation. If you are passionate about animal welfare and thrive in a collaborative environment, this role is perfect for you.

Benefits

Free admission to the San Diego Zoo

Family Passes

Complimentary Tickets

Local and In-House Discounts

Employee Assistance Program

Wellness Program

Qualifications

• Minimum of 4 years managing a wildlife care department in an AZA accredited zoo.
• Two or more years of hands-on exotic animal care experience required.

Responsibilities

• Oversee wildlife care staff, including hiring and performance management.
• Ensure animal welfare standards are upheld according to policies.
• Evaluate and coordinate husbandry standards for assigned animal collection.

Skills

Animal welfare standards knowledge

Exotic animal management

Team leadership

Effective communication

Budget management

Taxonomic knowledge

Habitat design and maintenance

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Zoology

Bachelor's Degree in Animal Science

Bachelor's Degree in Wildlife Management

Job description

Primate Wildlife Care Manager - Full Time - San Diego Zoo

Job Description

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is a nonprofit international conservation leader, committed to inspiring a passion for nature and creating a world where all life thrives. Empowering people from around the globe to support our mission to conserve wildlife through innovation and partnerships, we support cutting-edge conservation, and bring the stories of our work back to our two world-famous front doors — the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park — giving millions of guests, in person and virtually, the opportunity to experience conservation in action. The deep and extensive knowledge gained from more than a century of experience in wildlife care, health, veterinary services, nutrition and conservation makes us invaluable in the global effort to save species. Our team members play a crucial role in driving our conservation efforts forward and bringing us closer to a world where all life thrives.

HOW YOU WILL IMPACT OUR MISSION
The Wildlife Care Manager is responsible for and oversees all aspects of the welfare, safe care, and handling of an assigned wildlife collection and contributes to collection strategic planning. This position reports to the Curator.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Responsible for assigned wildlife care staff including, but not limited to, hiring, performance management, coaching and counseling and terminations.
• Evaluates, adjusts, and coordinates husbandry standards and techniques applied to an assigned animal collection according to a zoological master plan.
• Frequently inspects and observes assigned collection for overall health and welfare including ensuring dietary requirement standards are met.
• Ensures the animal welfare standards are upheld and improved upon where necessary according to the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Animal Welfare Policy taking into consideration legal, regulatory, and ethical standards.
• Oversees and participates in the preparation and maintenance of a variety of collection records required for collection management.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
We are seeking a Primate Wildlife Care Manager with proven abilities to evaluate and manage teams and programs. Extensive experience with a wide variety of Primates including Great Apes experience is required. This position involves work with susceptible species; you will be required to show proof of vaccination as a condition of employment.

• JOB EXPERIENCE
  • Must have two or more years hands-on exotic animal care experience
  • Minimum of 4 years of experience managing a wildlife care department and personnel in an AZA accredited zoo or equivalent facility
• EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS
  • Bachelor's Degree Zoology, Animal Science, Wildlife Management or other related field Or
  • Zoology, Animal Science, Wildlife Management or other related field
• SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
  • Must have knowledge of animal welfare standards, guidelines, and best practices
  • Basic taxonomic knowledge
  • Exotic Animal management and husbandry skills
  • Experience with habitat design and maintenance
  • Able to handle complex situations with a high level of tact and diplomacy
  • Demonstrated ability to lead highly effective teams
  • Able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
  • Able to create and deliver presentations to a variety of audiences
  • Able to work effectively in a diverse environment
  • Able to develop and manage budgets

SOME OF THE PERKS YOU WILL ENJOY AS A TEAM MEMBER

• Free admission to the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park
• Family Passes
• Complimentary Tickets
• Local and In-House Discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness Program

IMPORTANT DETAILS

• Salary Rate: $78,400 to $86,680

About The Salary Ranges
Please note that the salary range mentioned in this job posting should serve simply as a guide. The final compensation offered may vary based on a variety of factors, including bonuses and/or incentives, or a candidate’s experience and skills. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is committed to providing a fair, equitable, and competitive package that reflects the value an individual brings to the organization.

Fraudulent Recruiting
Beware of fraudulent recruiting. Legitimate San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance contacts will use an @sdzwa.org email address. We do not request money, checks, equipment orders, or sensitive personal data during the recruitment process. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance only conducts interviews via phone, Zoom, Teams or in-person.

If you have been asked for any of the above, or believe you have been contacted by someone posing as a San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance employee, please e-mail [e-mail] . If you feel that you have been the victim of fraud, please contact your financial institution(s) immediately.

Be an ally for wildlife by joining our team!

At San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, we thrive on celebrating our differences. Diversity is vital for the benefit of our team members, our guests, our community, and our wildlife.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status.

If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete an application, please email your request to [e-mail] and provide the job title and location to which you are applying.

As a Federal Contractor, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is required to participate in the E-Verify Program to confirm eligibility to work in the United States.

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is a drug free workplace.