Pay Range: To maintain internal equity, we have identified the salary range for this position at the Oakland Zoo as $32 - $37/hour. An offer within this salary range will be determined by the experience and qualifications of a candidate and will be our best and final compensation offer.
Position Summary
The Conservation Field and Co-existence Manager will advance Oakland Zoo’s mission by expanding and diversifying our field conservation initiatives, focusing on human-wildlife conflict, climate change, and habitat loss solutions for California native predator species - with capacity to expand into global predator initiatives. Joining the Conservation Team, the primary responsibilities are establishing and implementing plans to conserve species such as gray wolves, mountain lions, and African lions through alliance building, research-based conservation programs, community action, and behavior change strategies.
Travel: This position will be hybrid as directed, with a combination of in-office, off-site and remote work. Some California travel will be required in the Bay Area and Northern California in order to collaborate with partners and programs.
Please note: A cover letter is required for this role and will be used to help assess your application. The letter should be no more than two pages and demonstrate your ability to clearly communicate your understanding of the role, the relevant conservation issues, and how your skills and experience would contribute to your success.
Application Deadline: 6 February 2026
Essential Job Duties
Wildlife Conservation and Co-existence Program Management
- Research, identify and develop field programs with various partner organizations to support holistic conservation strategies and maximize conservation impact
- Co-create and manage effective, long-term plans that leverage local knowledge systems and values, and support capacity-strengthening to improve the status of ecological and human well-being
- Collaborate across departments, aligning Oakland Zoo resources with conservation field initiatives
- Develop and operationalize robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks for future field conservation efforts, including research, protection/restoration, community engagement and education
Conservation Leadership
- Create relevant alliances might include that local non-governmental organizations, International Union for the Conservation of Nature programs, California state conservation strategies, and AZA initiatives to build alignment, strengthen partnerships and optimize conservation actions.
- Participate in the planning and implementation of Conservation Department initiatives and help inform Oakland Zoo’s strategic and campus planning work
- Work collaboratively with other Oakland Zoo departments like Learning & Engagement and Marketing to ensure staff and public engagement reflects our conservation mission and work
- Complete other duties as needed and assigned
Oakland Zoo does not expect every applicant to have every skill and qualification listed here and will consider the combination of formal education, training, and practical experience of each applicant. We are committed to supporting the career development of our employees. A strong candidate who is interested in growing and learning in this role will possess at least 75% of the following qualifications. If this is you, then we strongly encourage you to apply.
Who You Are
- 7 years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience (A BA may be considered equivalent to up to 3 years of relevant experience, and an AA may be considered equivalent to up to 2 years), which should include the following:
- wildlife applied and actionable research
- intra-agency, interagency, and tribal coordination and cooperation
- climate change, and habitat loss solutions for California native predator species
- in community engagement, community co-design and behavior change theory
- Expertise in human-wildlife conflict mitigation and resolution
- Ability to effectively interact with a variety of stakeholders with varying perceptions of wildlife: conservationists, government agencies, communities, ranchers, researchers, etc.
- Ability to work both independently and within a team structure
- Ability to drive initiatives forward remotely and in-person
- Valid driver’s license and clean driving record
Bonus if you have...
- Experience managing a team of interns or volunteers
- Experience supporting fundraising by getting, fulfilling and managing grants
- managing a team of interns or volunteers
- supporting fundraising by getting, fulfilling and managing grants
Knowledge, Skills, and Qualities– May be representative, but not all-inclusive, of those knowledge, skills and abilities commonly associated with this position.
- Analytical and Conceptual Aptitude – engages in and facilitates broad organizational strategic thinking/planning with awareness of equity, inclusion, accessibility, and cultural relevance.
- Collaboration – builds trusting relationships with both internal and external stakeholders across our organization and community-wide and approaches differences of opinion with curiosity and humility.
- Communication – communicates respectfully and effectively with stakeholders across identities, both verbally and in writing
- Dependability – demonstrates trustworthiness and reliability, including while working with little or no direct supervision
- Flexibility – nimbly adapts to evolving priorities and urgent needs; handles intervals of high pressure while maintaining perspective and humor
- Inclusive Culture - fosters a culture of mutual respect, transparency, collaboration and belonging which allows all employees to feel appreciated, included, and valued
- Organization – strong attention to details and able to build and/or maintain efficient systems
- Technological Aptitude – able to quickly understand, develop and maintain functional digital systems
- Time management – strong capabilities with a demonstrated ability to effectively prioritize multiple commitments
- Sustainability – oriented toward the mission and values of Oakland Zoo and able to put those into practice by finding creative and resourceful ways to develop sustainable practices within your role and department
- Passion – wholeheartedly believes in, represents, and models Oakland Zoo’s mission and PRIDE values at all times
- Presentation – able to convey ideas clearly and sensitively, highlight key takeaways and translate impact; have thoughtful presence, can quickly build rapport with others, and are comfortable in front of a variety of audiences
- Project management – effectively prioritizes commitments, driving forward multiple high-profile and complex projects simultaneously with flexibility, resourcefulness, and agility to adapt to shifting organizational needs
- Solution-oriented – utilizes an open-minded and strengths-based approach to finding solutions for complex challenges.
- Wildlife Aware - understands mission to support the conservation and welfare of animals at The Zoo, locally and globally. This is demonstrated by a willingness/passion to reflect this mission in all actions and to continue to learn how to take action for wildlife
Benefits
Oakland Zoo offers a comprehensive benefits package, including Health insurance, Dental insurance, Vision insurance, Flexible spending account, Retirement plan, Paid time off, Employee Assistance Program, and A Family Zoo Membership.
Who We Are
Oakland Zoo (managed by The Conservation Society of California) is an award-winning facility stretching 100 acres and overlooking the city of Oakland atop the hills of beautiful Knowland Park. Our mission is to deepen connections with animals, save wildlife, and inspire champions for the natural world. As an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the Zoo is part of the largest conservation organization in the nation. Our employees take PRIDE in our values of being Positive, Respectful, Inquisitive, Driven and Effective members of a team who places the care of our animals, stewardship of the natural environment, and the experience of our guests at the forefront of all that we do.
Oakland Zoo’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Access
We believe that all people should have safe access to the Zoo and culturally relevant and responsive experiences with our staff, programs, and curriculum. Oakland Zoo is also striving to create an equitable and inclusive internal culture where all staff members feel represented and valued for their identities and lived experiences. We examine how power, bias, race, and other aspects of identity impact our organization. We work to build a culture of continuous learning and improvement toward a vision of equity and belonging for all staff. We are looking for team members who can actively join us in this process. We are committed to reflecting the diverse community in which we exist and strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ identifying folks, and women to apply.
The Conservation Society of California is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, QAOV status, or other characteristics protected by law. The Conservation Society of California also promotes respect for all people and will not tolerate harassment based on any of these characteristics.
Oakland Zoo participates in E-Verify to verify work authorization.
