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
- 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.
Pay: $72,000.00 - $78,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
