The Director of Terrestrial and Wetlands Conservation will assist with the overall strategic direction of the conservation and science program of the Audubon Zoo and the Audubon Nature Institute as a whole. Additionally, the Director will design, implement, and align conservation programs with the mission and institutional purpose of the zoo and the institute. The Director will represent the organization in these areas within the metropolitan community, within the governmental and regulatory community, and within the regional, national, and international conservation community; The Directors will be responsible for bringing back pertinent issues that will inform collection composition, recovery efforts, habitat conservation efforts, international conservation support, operating procedures, and communication strategies. This position will ultimately act to enhance the reputation of the organization, meet, and exceed accreditation obligations of the AZA, and extend the positive influence of the organization into the broader community on matters of wildlife and sustainability of the living natural world.
To deliver on the Audubon mission, the Director of Terrestrial and Wetlands Conservation will:
Perform Essential Duties
- Provide quality guest service to both internal and external guests by maintaining a friendly, supportive, and professional working attitude and appearance.
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Assist in the development, maintenance, and revision of the strategic plans for the conservation programs to support the Audubon Zoo’s overall mission and purpose.
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Deploy plans and resources as appropriate to achieve prioritized goals identified within the conservation strategic plan.
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Collaborate with all relevant internal and external parties in the development and implementation of applied conservation programs such as propagation and field conservation programs that support recovery of free-ranging populations of animals as well as in situ efforts that support institutional conservation priorities.
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Include in the planning components of a successful field conservation program such as, reintroduction science, conservation education, conservation psychology, field ecology and biology, culture, economics, and community.
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Seek and develop conservation programs that can utilize Audubon Zoo staff from the animal care division and other divisions as well.
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Represent the Audubon Zoo in communications with appropriate government officials and regulatory agencies, conservation organizations and community leaders, concerned citizen groups, and other organizations working on topics of mutual concern and interest.
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Develop and sustain Audubon Zoo involvement in collaborative AZA conservation partnerships such as S.A.F.E in conjunction with other ANI facilities and other accredited zoos and aquariums.
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Maintain and look for opportunities to enhance Audubon’s conservation messaging in exhibit spaces
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Work with the Education and Volunteer Resources department to develop interpretive programming that incorporates sustainability, green, and conservation messaging.
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Educate Audubon staff on sustainability and conservation initiatives to create a culture of conservation that will be apparent to guests
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Oversee local species conservation initiatives and strategies through participation in recovery teams, steering committees, and working group
The above listed duties are general statements of required major duties and responsibilities performed on a regular and continuous basis. They do not exclude other duties as assigned
To deliver on the Audubon service promise, the Director of Terrestrial and Wetlands Conservation will:
Welcome
- Make eye contact with every customer encounter, smile at every person, offer friendly phrases and greetings.
- Wear identification badge.
- Walk individual to destination instead of pointing; offer assistance to people who look confused.
- Assume ownership of potential safety hazards (wipe-up spill, pick up trash). Always have the camera-ready look.
Share
- Maintain positive attitude, pleasant tone of voice (remember it is not what you say, but how you say it).
- Coach coworkers on service expectations.
- Utilize the power of teamwork to give excellent service.
- Know when to involve management.
Inspire
- Know the answers to questions or seek out the answers.
- Utilize proper phone etiquette (answer phone within three rings, smile before answering call, ask for permission and wait for response before placing caller on hold).
- Ensure work area is free of food, drink, socialization, and personal business.
- Follow Dress Code Policy on clothing and grooming.
- Keep unpleasant concerns behind closed doors (vent backstage).
Qualifications:
1. Strong knowledge of topics related to conservation biology and adaptive management, as well as demonstrated commitment to keeping abreast of developments in the field required.
2. Demonstrated knowledge of strategic planning and project management.
3. Knowledge of and experience with state and federal wildlife agency policies and protocols preferred.
4. Exceptional oral and written communication skills required.
5. Proven skill in public speaking in front of a variety of diverse audiences.
6. Strong leadership and interpersonal skills and strong capacity to foster cooperative and collaborative working relationships required.
7. Strong organizational and managerial skills and demonstrated experience leading teams and influencing others required.
8. Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, weeknights, and to travel as needed for field work, conferences, and meetings.
9. Ability to live in primitive conditions if needed for field work.
Education:
Bachelor of Arts in ecology, biology, or other related life science field.- Advanced degree in the above fields is desirable.
Licensure/Certification: Must possess a valid driver’s license.
Software Requirements: Proficiency in MS Office.
Physical Requirements:
1. Active Work: exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. May involve sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time.
2. Sitting or standing, bending, stooping, and the ability to carry items weighing up to 50 pounds.
3. Constant adequate range of motion and mobility required.
4. Regular near acuity with clarity of vision at 20 inches or less required.
5. Typical ability to collect and analyze numerical and written data and verbal information to reach logical conclusions and ability to determine the time, place and sequence of operations or actions required.
6. Regular talking and the ability to express and exchange ideas by means of language expected.
7. Regular hearing and the ability to perceive the nature of sounds.
8. Constant ability to read, record, or type data quickly and accurately required.
9. Must possess excellent organizational skills.
10. Must possess ability to work independently with little supervision as well as part of a team.
11. Must have good written and oral communication skills.
12. Must possess the ability to make sound decisions in the absence of supervision, assume responsibility without direction and a willingness to assist in achieving Audubon, facility, program and community partner goals.
Machinery/Tools/Equipment Requirements: Must have the ability to use mobile devices, computer, fax, scanner, phone and copy machine.
Environmental/Working Conditions:
1. Working long hours between breaks or meals required.
2. Ability to work under and handle stress in an appropriate manner required.
3. May be exposed to high, medium, or low noise intensity.
4. Constant contact with co-workers required.
5. Affinity for animals preferred.
6. Exposure to fluctuations in temperatures may be required.
7. Exposure to outdoor conditions may be required.
8. Must be willing to work flexible hours including weekends, evenings and holidays.
