Assistant Director of Birds

Philadelphia Zoo works to fulfill our mission as an animal care organization, as a resource to schools and families, and as an ark and advocate for endangered animals around the world. What makes the Zoo a unique place to work?  Whether you are involved with caring for animals, educating our visitors or working in a behind-the-scenes position in administration, maintenance or garden services, all of our positions share our institutional mission, purpose, and core values.

Who We Are Looking For:

• The Assistant Director of Birds provides hands-on leadership and operational support for the Zoo’s avian collection. Reporting to the Director of Birds, 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.

What You Will Do:
Essential Skills:

• 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 and 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.

What This Role Requires:

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, zoology, or related field required.
• Minimum of two years of progressive experience in animal care, with some experience in a supervisory role within an AZA-accredited institution.
• Strong knowledge of carnivore management, welfare, and behavioral husbandry; familiarity with ungulates and additional taxa preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage priorities, and maintain a safe, collaborative environment.
• Proficiency in scheduling, recordkeeping, and reporting systems.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Effective communicator with the ability to train and mentor staff.
• Knowledge of animal training principles, enrichment design, and welfare assessment.
• Ability to remain calm and effective under pressure.

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.

Traits We Are Looking For:

• High EQ
• Effective listener
• Respectful, fair and tactful
• Curious and continuous learned
• Collective under pressure

What We Can Offer You:

• Competitive Pay – We recognize talent and we pay to keep it
• Medical, Dental, Vision –While you have our back on the grounds, we cover yours’ with health insurance 
• Annual Leave – We all need a break from time to time
• 401K – There will come a time, when you are ready to retire

Family membership pass with complimentary tickets – (Warning:

• You will become a celebrity amongst your friends once they hear you work for America’s 1st Zoo)

Salary

• 72,000-78,000