Executive Zoo Director

Job Purpose and Objectives:

The Zoo Director is an administrative position responsible for directing and supervising the David Traylor Zoo of Emporia.

Supervisory/Management Responsibilities:

This position is responsible for the supervision/leadership of employees, which includes making employment-related decisions and/or recommendations, and formally evaluating performance.

Supervisory/Management Competencies (applicable to all organizational employees in supervisory/management positions):

People Management: Clearly defines subordinate roles and responsibilities; motivates employees to perform and delegates work effectively; applies consistent performance standards and handles performance problems decisively and objectively; leads by example.

Operations Management – Directs and guides operations in alignment with organizational and departmental overall goals and objectives; ensures the execution of efficient processes to maximize organizational and departmental resources; utilizes operational knowledge to make sound decisions.

Strategic Leadership: Determines the strategic direction of the team or department in alignment with overall organizational goals; effectively communicates strategies internally and externally; creates a culture to support strategies and provides mechanisms to implement them; fosters buy-in and enthusiasm with employees.

Job Competencies: Essential Functions include the following. Duties and responsibilities, as required by business necessity may be added, deleted, or changed at any time at the discretion of management, formally or informally, either verbally or in writing. Schedule and shift assignments and work location may be changed at any time, as required by business necessity.

1. Oversees and facilitates in Zoo animal acquisition, husbandry, management, and disposition decisions to enhance the collection,

2. Assures institutional participation in the advancement of research to contribute to the propagation of information that will advance the profession as well as the institution, insuring the Zoo’s collection is managed professionally within guidelines established by an accredited institution

3. Assures effective Zoo safety standards and practices are established and enforced to ensure the safety of staff, general public, and the animal collection

4. Plans, organizes, implements, and directs Zoo functions to include facilities design and construction

5. Supervises directly or through subordinate supervisors all employees and volunteers in the division

6. Assures a competent and well-motivated professional staff by direction of their selection, training, and ongoing development.

7. Coaches and develops employees and appraises employee performance and reviews evaluations by subordinate supervisors

8. Enforces personnel rules, regulations, and work behaviors

9. Counsels, motivates, and maintains harmony within the work unit

10. Assures that the zoo is operated in an efficient and professional manner to be fiscally responsible and gain maximum results within the boundaries of allocated funds by Managing and administering the Division’s operating budget and planning processes

11. Collects and analyzes financial and visitor data information

12. Actively participates in and collaborates with support groups in fundraising opportunities and prepares a variety of reports regarding divisional activities, accomplishments, and goals

13. Assures necessary promotion and public relations of the Zoo by working with news media, groups, and organizations to provide coordination and planning of programs, functions, and fundraising

14. Develops and implements the Zoo’s Master Plan and oversees all associated capital improvement projects

15. Plans, designs, implements, and reviews divisional short- and long-term goals and priorities

16. Assures the development of special activities and programs, oversees all marketing, publicity, advertising, promotional, and special event activities conducted at the facility

17. Promotes the production of outside revenue to benefit the growth of the Zoo

18. Effectively communicates with the Director of Public Lands & Facilities, the City Manager, and other officials to inform about zoo changes and enhancements and to seek support for the organization’s initiatives, projects, and programs

19. Works closely with a variety of governmental agencies, private sector officials, and other City departments to provide and gather accurate information for Zoo development

20. Enforces and maintains compliance with all federal, state, and local laws and ordinances

21. Complies with all organizational and departmental policies and procedures

22. Protects and maintains any confidential information, whether oral, written, or electronic

Marginal Functions:

1. Observes animals for sickness, injury and behaviors

2. Records and maintains information on all specimens in the collection

3. Provides environmental stimuli for the zoo specimens on a regular basis

4. Purchases animal food and supplies

5. Opens and closes Zoo while providing security checks on all areas

6. Assists with animal restraint and medical treatment when necessary

7. Constructs and maintains habitats & exhibits

8. Performs, supervises or assists with the euthanasia of animals, if necessary, under the direction of supervisory staff/veterinarian

9. Assists with training of new employees, interns, and volunteers

10. Performs environmental control, including snow removal

11. Transports animals to various locations

12. Assists with tours

13. Assists with maintaining inventory of food and zoo equipment

14. Assists with maintaining an operable incubator system

15. Provides assistance with special events

16. Plants grasses, trees, shrubs, and flowers

17. Assists Park Division Personnel

18. Operates all job-related equipment, machinery, tools, and other aids as required or needed

19. Performs other duties as assigned or deemed necessary

20.

Position Requirements and Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Position Requirements:

1. Bachelor's degree in Zoo Management, Biology, Veterinary, Business, Public Administration, or related field preferred

2. Six (6) years of progressive operation experience in Zoology, Animal Science, Animal Rehabilitation, Wildlife Biology or equivalent hands-on experience in the field, including two (2) years of management experience, and two (2) years’ experience in an AZA-accredited zoo

Certifications / Licenses:

1. Requires valid Kansas driver’s license

Skills/Knowledge/Abilities:

1. Effective supervisory methods and techniques

2. Effective oral and written communications

3. Organize and direct activities so that the Zoo’s animal collection is managed within guidelines of an accredited institution

4. Exercise sound independent judgement in a wide variety of situations which may include dangerous weather, animal escape, animal injury/illness, animal rights protestors, burglary / robbery, and irate or unruly Zoo guests

5. Make clear and effective oral and written presentations including public addresses and news media releases

6. Must have or be able to obtain CPR/First Aid Certification within 6 months of employment

7. Develop and maintain harmonious relations with government entities, the private sector, and general public

8. Enforce personnel rules, regulations, and work behavior standards

9. Be fiscally responsible and gain maximum results within the boundaries of allocated funds

10. Effectively manage multiple priorities, projects, and activities

11. Direct staff in the implementation of Zoo goals and mission and ensure that the Zoo is operated in a safe, efficient, and professional manner

12. Establish and supervise fundraising programs

13. Prepare a variety of reports regarding activities, accomplishments, and goals

14. Understand and anticipate problems and enforce department safety policies and procedures accordingly

15. Properly interpret written instructions, wildlife laws, reports, and manuals

16. Effectively manage personnel issues, animal emergencies, citizen complaints, and equipment malfunctions

17. Represents the Zoo in a professional manner for local, regional, and national organizations, citizen groups, and news media

18. Design, establish, and maintain an organizational structure and staffing to effectively accomplish the organization’s goals and objectives

19. Effectively operate tranquilizer guns, code red guns, catch nets and poles, mowers, weed-eaters, tractors, and other department equipment

20. Ability to fulfill all duties with minimal supervision and to work independently

21. Assess situations rapidly and make logical decisions in a timely manner

22. Analyze facts and exercise sound judgment

23. Ability to effectively manage projects and multiple priorities simultaneously

24. Strong written and verbal communication skills

25. Problem solving and critical thinking skills

26. Strong math, spelling, computer, and calculator abilities

27. Ability to communicate in a professional, calm and courteous manner with general public and employees

28. Attention to detail

Work Environment and Physical Demands: The work environment characteristics and 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 function.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $68,000.00 - $108,745.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Emporia, KS 66801: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person