Assistant Manager of Nutrition Center

The San Francisco Zoological Society (“Society”) is a non-profit institution that manages and raises funds for San Francisco Zoo and Gardens (“Zoo”).  The Society’s mission, supra, is summarized as the 3 c’s: to connect our visitors with wildlife so that they care about nature and ultimately conserve it.  The Society’s leadership team is comprised of a President & Executive Director as well as a professional team of Senior Managers. The Society endeavors to meet or exceed the standards of its industry peers, including those established by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (“AZA”). For over 25 years, the Society has been continuously accredited by the AZA.

SUMMARY: 

• The Assistant Nutrition Kitchen Manager is based at the San Francisco Zoo Nutrition Center and supports the integrated animal wellness program.
• The position plays a key role in ensuring optimal nutrition for the Zoo’s animals. 
• The Assistant Nutrition Kitchen Manager will work with the Nutrition Kitchen Manager, veterinary, animal care and animal wellness departments to maintain the health and psychological well-being of the Zoo’s animals.
• The Assistant Manager takes a specific role in understanding the effect and impact of diet on these animals.
• This includes supporting the formulation, preparation and scientific assessment of diets and nutritional records; tracking diets and diet changes; and assisting with the diet review process.
• The position will report to the Nutrition Kitchen Manager.
• This position is required to work weekends and some holidays, subject to operational needs.
• Upholds the Society’s mission, core values and other policies/procedure outlined in the Employee Handbook and elsewhere.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• include the following.  Other duties may be assigned and required.
• Is familiar with all diet preparation procedures, oversees and regularly participates in their preparation.
• Identifies new recipes and food presentations to ensure continuous improvement and animal motivation.
• Ensures outgoing animal diets are properly prepared.
• Oversees and participates in animal diet preparation and distribution.
• May require operating a forklift, pallet jack or other equipment for distribution.
• Documents and records animal diets.
• Assists with assessing hand-rearing protocols when needed to ensure most up to date research and practice is included.
• Drawing on most up to date research and practice, formulates, evaluates and analyzes animal diets and diet consumption to ensure nutritional adequacy and behavioral opportunities for animals.
• Supports animal enrichment, training and browse programs with associated dietary input.
• Orders and receives of food supplies for the Zoo nutrition center.
• May require operating a forklift, pallet jack or other equipment to receive supplies.
• Helps to ensure food quality. Ensures recipes are followed and adjusted as needed, quality and presentation standards are met.
• Is familiar with AZA, HACCP and USDA/OSHA guidelines and helps to ensure nutrition center compliance, biosecurity and food safety.
• Assists in assessing body condition of exotic and domestic animals, conducts research and data entry.
• May develop feeder animal colonies and nutrition education for Zoo staff and the public.
• Plays a key role in representing the nutrition center in annual animal wellness reviews and other integrated wellness projects.

Additional Responsibilities

• Interacts with Zoo staff and animal husbandry personnel in a professional and courteous manner.
• Interacts with Zoo visitors courteously and offers proper attention at all times.
• Performs other duties as required.

Knowledge, Abilities and Skills:
Requirements:

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Must have relevant experience in food preparation,
• nutrition assessment,
• compliance readiness,
• animal assessment,
• and foodstuffs analysis;
• Knowledge of food handling & safety procedures/protocols;
• Train & supervise Dietician staff;
• Communicate with zoo employees and colleagues efficiently;
• keep operational records;
• prepare reports;
• deal courteously and effectively with the public;
• and work in highly demanding & time sensitive situations
• Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

EDUCATION, TRAINING & QUALIFICATIONS:

• Culinary degree or equivalent work experience. 
• A minimum of 3 years of experience in kitchen management and food preparation. 
• Work experience may substitute for education requirement.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; use hands; and talk and hear. 
• The employee frequently is required to stand and walk. 
• The employee is occasionally required to sit. 
• The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. 
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions including inclement weather.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: 

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. 
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions. 
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. 
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to potentially hazardous animals.
• Salary Range: $67,000-$72,000

APPLICATION:

• Please apply via our web site at https://candidate.offerdox.com/clients/c32a6703-4c9c-4d70-b296-b438a4f2cf91/jobs/13 
• Please attach a cover letter with your resume detailing your experience as it relates to this position.