Assistant Director of Carnivore/Ungulate

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.

Salary

• 78000