Zoo Director

City of El Paso, TX; El Paso (TX); On-site; USD 160,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

City of El Paso is seeking a Zoo Director to lead zoological operations, animal care, conservation, and education programs at multiple City locations. The ideal candidate will hold a bachelor’s degree or higher in zoo management, veterinary medicine, business, or public administration, and have at least eight years of zoological experience including four in management.

A Texas Class C license is required. The role requires strategic planning, budgeting, fundraising, and strong leadership to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in zoo management, veterinary medicine, business or public administration or related field.
• Minimum eight years of zoological operation experience, including four years in management.
• Valid Texas Class “C” Driver’s License or equivalent by date of appointment.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership for Zoo operations including animal care, conservation, education, guest services, facilities, safety, and capital planning.
• Ensure the Zoo maintains accreditation with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and lead accreditation preparation and compliance.
• Develop and implement strategic plans aligning Zoo priorities with City goals and economic development objectives.
• Prepare and administer the Zoo’s operating and capital budgets; manage revenues, expenditures, grants, and fundraising activities.
• Serve as primary liaison to the City Manager, City Council, and community stakeholders with regular reporting.
• Oversee personnel management including recruitment, development, performance evaluation, and succession planning.
• Lead long-range capital planning for exhibits, infrastructure, and facilities for regulatory compliance and visitor experience.
• Represent the Zoo at conferences, accreditation meetings, and public events; cultivate partnerships with conservation organizations.

Skills

Zoo operations

Leadership

Budget management

Public administration

Fundraising

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher in zoo management, veterinary medicine, business or public administration or related field

Job description

Salary: $160,000.00 – $175,000.00 Annually
Location : Various Locations within the City of El Paso, TX
Job Type: Unclassified
Job Number: U0800-0126
Department: ZOO GATE REVS ADMIN
Opening Date: 01/15/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Exempt

Requirements
MOS Code: None

The City of El Paso is recruiting for the position of Zoo Director.

We are seeking a highly experienced and accomplished professional with a Bachelor’s degree or higher in zoo management, veterinary medicine, business or public administration or related field.

This position requires a minimum of eight years of professional eight (8) years of zoological operation experience, including four (4) years management experience. A valid Texas Class “C” Driver’s License or equivalent from another state by the date of appointment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience leading an AZA-accredited zoo in a director, deputy director, or equivalent executive role.
• Knowledge of municipal government operations, public finance, procurement, and labor relations.
• Experience with capital project delivery, bond-funded projects, or public-private partnerships.
• Demonstrated success in fundraising, grant management, and external partnerships supporting conservation and education missions.

The ideal candidate will be a dynamic and insightful service-oriented leader with strong communication, leadership, and administrative abilities and have a solid understanding of current zoo operations principles, practices and techniques.
If you are looking for an extraordinary opportunity to make a difference in one of the best run and progressive cities in the United States while enjoying an exceptional quality of life, the City of El Paso is the place for you!

General Purpose
Under administrative direction, manage zoological operations and development to establish and maintain quality facilities and programs, and a safe animal and visitor environment.

Typical Duties

• Provide overall executive leadership for Zoo operations, including animal care and welfare, conservation programs, education initiatives, guest services, facilities, safety, and capital planning.
• Ensure the Zoo maintains accreditation with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), or other recognized accrediting bodies as applicable, including leading accreditation preparation, documentation, inspections, and continuous compliance efforts.
• Develop and implement strategic plans that align Zoo priorities with the City’s strategic goals, quality-of-life initiatives, and economic development objectives.
• Prepare and administer the Zoo’s operating and capital budgets; manage revenues, expenditures, grants, and fundraising activities in coordination with City finance policies.
• Serve as the primary liaison to the City Manager, City Council, and community stakeholders, providing regular reporting on performance, accreditation status, financial condition, and major initiatives.
• Oversee personnel management, including recruitment, professional development, performance evaluation, and succession planning, consistent with municipal human resources policies.
• Lead long-range capital planning for exhibits, infrastructure, and facilities to ensure regulatory compliance, animal welfare standards, sustainability, and visitor experience.
• Represent the Zoo at professional conferences, accreditation meetings, and public events; cultivate partnerships with conservation organizations, educational institutions, and regional, state, and national agencies.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws and standards, including animal welfare regulations, workplace safety requirements, environmental regulations, and public procurement policies.
• Authorize the hiring of staff. Supervise staff directly and through subordinate supervisors. Appraise employee performance and review evaluations by subordinate supervisors. Provide for training and development. Enforce personnel regulations and work behavior standards firmly and impartially. Counsel, motivate, and maintain harmony. As the appointing authority, interview applicants and hire, terminate, transfer, discipline, or initiate other employee status changes.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Application of comprehensive knowledge of zoo operations principles, practices, and techniques.
• Application of comprehensive knowledge of state and federal laws, rules, and regulations governing zoo operations.
• Application of considerable knowledge of budget preparation, personnel records systems, and standard general and fiscal administration policies and practices.
• Application of considerable knowledge of management and supervisory principles and techniques, pertinent federal, state, and local labor and safety rules and regulations.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with businesses, coworkers, department heads, officials, customers, regulatory agencies, and the general public.
• Ability to assess objectives and operational requirements to develop and implement appropriate administrative policies and procedures for the city and the department.
• Ability to manage, develop, motivate, and evaluate professional, technical, supervisory, and clerical staff.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing to prepare and present comprehensive reports to the City Manager, Mayor, Council, City management, businesses, and the general public.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, officials, volunteers, regulatory agencies, and the general public.