Assistant Director of Carnivores

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 Carnivores provides hands-on leadership and operational support for the Zoo’s carnivore 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.

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

• 72000-78000