Animal Welfare & Research Program Manager

The Animal Welfare & Research Program Manager is an hourly, nonexempt position which plays a vital role on our Animal Welfare and Research (AWR) department within the Animal Care, Conservation and Research (ACCR). This role focuses on managing daily operations, program execution, and performance across multiple lab and field teams.    

The Program Manager serves as a coordinator and subject-matter specialist for all assigned programs, staff, and animals under AWR’s care. They develop and implement wildlife rescue, conservation recovery, welfare, and research activities. This position works closely with external partners including state and government agencies to coordinate short- to moderate-term program goals, and internally with staff, volunteers, and other Zoo departments.

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.

Pay Rate: To maintain internal equity, we have identified the pay range for this position at the Oakland Zoo to be between $32 - $37 per hour. An offer within this range will be determined by the experience and qualifications of a candidate and will be our best and final compensation offer.

Essential Job Duties 

• Leads and supervises the daily and routine needs of AWR rescue, conservation/recovery, welfare, and other research programs, daily husbandry and care of the ex situ wildlife, staff and volunteers, and facilities within AWR, including the Biodiversity Center. 
• Plan, organize, prioritize, and manage:  
  • research as directed by Director of AWR and in coordination with Sections in ACCR and Zoo departments, welfare and research partners, governmental agencies, universities, and students 
  • multiple wildlife recovery programs onsite and in the field, developing and maintaining permitting, protocol, and regulatory compliance; biosecurity; lab and field safety; and coordinating scheduling, strategy, and logistics for collections, reintroductions, and other lab and field activities with state and federal agencies and partners 
  • regional and national rescue animal placement in coordination with Wildlife Confiscations Network and state and federal agencies, including developing and managing case-related database(s), maintaining professional relationships with law enforcement, litigators, animal facilities, and other partners, and setting short- to moderate-term program goals with AZA-WCN 
  • field programs, including coordination of staff and volunteer scheduling and performance, transportation, supplies and other resources, safety, and other logistics 
• Develop policy and protocol for new or emerging strategic opportunities in wildlife rescue and recovery, informing resource needs, logistics, and capacity 
• Maintain excellent records and inventories for the Biodiversity Building and all research, recovery and rescue programs. This includes budget and staff tracking, supply management, animal records, and permitting. 
• Facilitate maintenance, grounds, vehicle, and other work orders for the Biodiversity Center and associated program facilities and assets 
• Implement AWR/ACCR priorities as well as demonstrate the initiative and expertise to regularly find ways to make improvements in administrative processes, management, and small and large facilities projects 
• Serves as liaison between the Zoo and agencies, universities, and other AWR program partners to ensure permit, deliverables, and expectations are being met 
• Serves as a resource to AWR/ACCR, Zoo, and partners on all aspects of natural history, captive and recovery management, and welfare of the species under their care

Ancillary Job Duties 

• Participate in direct program activities, as needed 
• Assists Director of AWR in: 
  • writing research and permit reports and grants  
  • department in strategic program planning, setting department strategy, developing and tracking budget, and staff and community engagement 
  • long-range campus planning as it related to AWR, conservation needs, and industry trends 
• Take the lead in addressing potential problems and emergencies within AWR, including the Biodiversity Center, and  ACCR as needed 
•  Provides lectures and presentations at professional and academic institutions, seminars, conferences, and workshops; contributes to professional and academic publications  
• Coordinate other projects, as assigned 
• Can serve as acting Director of AWR when they are away for extended period 

Supervisory Responsibility 

• Supervises, trains, manages and develops AWR staff teams, including Scientific Technicians, Scientific Aides, Research Fellows, project scientists, contracted specialists,  interns, students, and volunteers in AWR programs  
• Assists Director of AWR in performance management  

‍

• Bachelor’s degree in zoology, biology or a related field 
• Minimum 5 years full time professional experience in the care of wildlife at an AZA zoo, aquarium, or comparable accredited facility 
• Extensive knowledge of natural history, captive wildlife management, and the habits, hazards, and safety protocols associated with zoo animals; willingness to work with some physical risk while following proper precautions. 
• Strong understanding of research methods, study design, and scientific literature, with demonstrated critical thinking and analytical skills. 
• Knowledge and experience in quarantine, biosafety, and disease-mitigation procedures across diverse taxa; working knowledge of amphibian/chelonian, rodent/lagomorph, and/or terrestrial invertebrate care 
• Familiarity with water quality and filtration systems, wildlife conservation and recovery practices (field and/or lab), and regulations governing captive and releasable wildlife. 
• Involvement in the wild animal profession beyond the Zoo (e.g., professional organizations, fieldwork, activism). 
• Minimum 1 year of experience as a supervisor responsible for training, supervision, and providing performance feedback and conflict resolution  
• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record 
• Willingness to work outside normal business hours including weekends and holidays.
• Medical requirements:
  
  • Negative TB test within the last year
  • Tetanus vaccine within the last 10 years

 Bonus if you have... 

• 2 or more years of experience working with species and systems in terrestrial and aquatic animals 

Work Environment

• Must be able to work outside in all weather conditions, indoors in a wet lab environment, and open office environments.
• Will be required to work with live, sick, injured, and dead animals, animal waste, live food, chemicals, and disease pathogens using provided PPE.
• Must work in moderate noise levels such as produced by filtration equipment, dense urban environment, and open office environment.
• Must be able to work in isolation rooms that are heated to 80 degrees or chilled to 65 degrees.

Physical Abilities

• Able to walk long distances, crouch, stoop, crawl on stomach for 5-feet, scale hurdles up to 2.5 feet tall;
• able to see and hear environmental hazards, focus on search parameters for up to 1.5 hours;
• able to lift a minimum of 50 lbs. and move (push and pull) a minimum of 120lbs.
• Able to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• 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 
• Impact - Inspired to contribute to the success of a project or the organization 
• Inclusive Culture - fosters a culture of mutual respect, transparency, collaboration and belonging which allows all employees to feel appreciated, included, and valued.  
• Inclusive Facilitation – able to comfortably move a group through pre-determined content while balancing inclusion and timing; able to flexibly weave in related content to make connections for learners and adjust or pivot when needed 
• Leadership – mentors, advises, and develops people across identities with consideration for cultural relevance and responsiveness, self-awareness around implicit bias and understanding of the power dynamics that exist in organizations.
• Organization – strong attention to details and able to build and/or maintain efficient systems  
• 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
• Self-motivated– effectively navigates multiple, simultaneous tasks with excellent attention to detail and deadlines. Enthusiastically identifies and approaches opportunities without regular supervision
• Solution-oriented – utilizes an open-minded and strengths-based approach to finding solutions for complex challenges.
• Relationship-Building: able to build and maintain trusting relationships and mutually beneficial partnerships with internal and external stakeholders
• 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  
• 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  
• 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