Clinical Wildlife Nutrition Manager

The Clinical Wildlife Nutrition Manager defines and establishes appropriate nutritional parameters for the wildlife in our care and designs and implements clinical/applied research projects. The Clinical Wildlife Nutrition Manager leads a proactive evidence-based nutrition program, including evaluation of diet efficacy, and supports strategic initiatives, and multi-year planning for Wildlife Nutrition and San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA). This position reports to the Director of Wildlife Nutrition.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Formulate diets and establish guidelines for dietary management utilizing an evidence-based approach and investigate, address, and document clinical nutrition needs of the collection and individual wildlife.
• Lead preventative health-focused nutrition program for the wildlife in San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s care.
• Collaborate regularly with Wildlife Care Managers and Veterinary staff to evaluate and ensure optimal health and welfare of wildlife by ensuring that high standards of nutrition are being met for all the wildlife in our care.
• Direct and indirect supervision of assigned staff to support internal and external collaborative initiatives including delegating tasks to direct and indirect reports as appropriate and training and performance management of staff.
• Lead feed quality and safety control program with oversight of feed specifications to ensure suitability of feeds.
• Participate in meeting and maintaining the nutrition budget through collaboration with Nutrition and Wildlife staff, including but not limited to, approving all consumable items.
• Act as the primary resource for questions related to eating habits and feeding methods; recommend nutritional changes as needed to ensure high standards of health for the wildlife in our care.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• The Clinical Wildlife Nutrition Manager is a zoo or animal nutritionist with excellent communication, interpersonal, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• You will join a friendly, supportive, and motivated team that ensures our wildlife receives the nutrition they need to thrive, working with partners in wildlife health, wildlife care, and conservation science across SDZWA.
• Applicants must have a strong commitment to wildlife health and well-being, collaborative team skills, proven ability to work in a fast-paced team environment, and solid leadership experience via work, school, or extracurricular activities.
• In your cover letter, please explain how your skills and experience are relevant for this role.

JOB EXPERIENCE

• Must have at least one year of postgraduate experience in wildlife nutrition. And
• Three years of working in some capacity associated with feeding and nutrition of animals is preferred. Or
• Minimum of one year experience in AZA-accredited zoo commissary or nutrition department preferred.

EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS

• Master’s Degree with an emphasis on wildlife and/or zoo animals.
• ServSafe Certified.

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

• Knowledge of wildlife nutrition, zoo animal management applications (e.g. ZIMS) and computer-based formulation of diets for animals is required.
• Practical understanding of comparative wildlife nutrition and how it applies to wildlife health and welfare is required
• Comfort providing dietary management guidance using comparative nutrition expertise to extrapolate from a limited knowledge base.
• Understands proper food handling and champions food safety, quality control, HACCP, and biosecurity as appropriate, compliant with industry standards and regulations.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in urgent situations and respond with appropriate action
• Ability to operate moderately complex computer software programs.
• Ability to work autonomously with limited supervision.
• Ability to work effectively and maintain composure in a fast-paced environment managing multiple projects with competing deadlines.
• Ability to lead through the direction and development of others.
• Ability to prioritize and manage time effectively, plan, and remain organized.
• Ability to build and work with effective, diverse teams.
• Ability to apply critical thinking in problem-solving and decision-making.
• Demonstrated ability to manage budgets.

SOME OF THE PERKS YOU WILL ENJOY AS A TEAM MEMBER

• Free admission to the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park
• Family Passes
• Complimentary Tickets
• Local and In-House Discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness Program

Salary

• Salary Range: $78,400 to $86,680