Deputy Director of Animal Care

The Oregon Zoo is seeking a passionate and strategic Deputy Director of Animal Care to join our dynamic leadership team. This role is pivotal in advancing the zoo’s mission of connecting the community to wildlife, fostering a sense of wonder, and advocating for a sustainable future for all species.  

This role will be an integral part of our ongoing transformative phase, supported by a $380 million voter-approved bond measure, which will facilitate the modernization of exhibits, enhancement of educational facilities, and advancement of conservation initiatives. As a central figure in this, the Deputy Director of Animal Care will contribute to the design and implementation of innovative habitats and programs that align with our mission to connect the community to wildlife and promote a sustainable future for all species.  

With an annual visitation of over 1.3 million guests and a global reach of more than 5 million social media followers, the Oregon Zoo is recognized for its exceptional animal care and environmental stewardship. Our facilities include a state-of-the-art Veterinary Medical Center and recently developed habitats such as Polar Passage, Elephant Lands, and Primate Forest. The Deputy Director will provide strategic leadership and direction to the animal care division, ensuring the highest standards of animal wellbeing, fostering innovative guest experiences, and supporting a diverse and sustainable animal collection. We invite applications from passionate and strategic leaders eager to advance our mission during this significant period of growth and development. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Collaborate with all divisions as a member of the senior leadership team to strategically develop plans, solutions, and processes that enhance zoo operations. 
• Provide direct supervision to four animal curators, the Director of Animal Health, and the Animal Welfare and Research Manager. 
• Oversee the implementation of strategic plans and policies for animal care, veterinary services, nutrition, and welfare teams to ensure they reflect and advance the zoo’s mission and goals. 
• Lead and mentor staff in best practices for animal care and welfare, endangered species recovery, research, and health activities, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional growth. 
• Play a key role in designing and implementing state-of-the-art habitats and long-term care plans, guided by the Oregon Zoo Campus Plan. 
• Promote a culture of engagement and development within the animal care division, supporting ongoing learning and career advancement opportunities. 
• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws and permits, Association of Zoo and Aquarium accreditation standards, and occupational health and safety procedures. 
• Manage budget development, animal record-keeping, staff recruitment, performance evaluations, and contract disputes efficiently and effectively. 
• Partner with the Oregon Zoo Foundation on fundraising efforts and donor relations to support and enhance the zoo’s financial sustainability goals. 

Attributes for success 

• Ability to cultivate and sustain trust with team members and stakeholders through transparent and inclusive decision-making processes. 
• Strong ability to foster collaboration and positive relationships, both within the AZA community and across the organization, focusing on collective success. 
• Self-motivated and innovative approach to addressing challenges, problem-solving, emphasizing proactive solutions and opportunities for improvement. 
• Exceptional communication skills, characterized by consistency, sincerity, and empathy in interactions with colleagues, stakeholders, and the public. 
• Commitment to Metro’s values of sustainability, accessibility, and equity, ensuring these principles are embedded into all aspects of the zoo operations and strategic planning. 

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION      

At Metro, we strive to cultivate diversity, advance equity, and practice inclusion in all of our work. This means attracting and empowering a workforce that is inclusive of a broad range of human qualities. Workplace diversity is both a moral imperative and a business strength, essential to providing quality support and services to our region. Metro’s goal is to hire, develop and retain highly skilled and talented individuals across all departments and programs who best reflect the diversity of our community.    

Learn more about Metro’s Diversity Action Plan 

TO QUALIFY 

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific in your application materials on how your background is relevant.  

Minimum qualifications 

• A Bachelor’s Degree, or equivalent years of experience in zoology, biology, wildlife management, animal science or a related field and; 
• Seven to ten years relevant experience in the following areas:
  • Supervisory experience 
  • Experience in animal management 
  • Experience in coordinating field conservation projects 
• Any combination of education and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the classification duties and responsibilities 

Like to have qualifications 

You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider them when identifying the most qualified candidates. Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience, including the military, or life experience that are relevant for this position. 

• Advance degree in zoology, biology, wildlife management, animal science or a related field
• Experience with a zoo animal collection 
• Experience in executive leadership overseeing department organizational goals, strategic planning and overall decisions making.