Reports to: Vice-President and Director of Animal Programs
Directly Coordinates and Supervises: Assistant Curator, Collections Manager, Curatorial Fellow
About Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)
WCS stands for wildlife and wild places. As the world’s premier wildlife conservation organization, WCS has a long track record of achieving innovative, impactful results at scale. We run field programs spanning 60 countries and the entire ocean. We build on a unique foundation: Our reach is global; we discover through best-in-class science; we protect through work on the ground with local and indigenous people; we inspire through our world-class zoos, aquarium, and education programs; and we leverage our resources through partnerships and powerful policy influence. Our more than 4,000 diverse, passionately committed team members in New York City and worldwide work collectively to achieve our conservation mission.
Position Objective
Responsible for all aspects of the management of the Bronx Zoo’s mammal collection, exhibits, and department staff; interact and work with other departments within WCS as they relate to the Mammal Department
Principal Responsibilities
Oversee and coordinate all components of the operation of the Mammal Department, including regular meetings with supervisory staff and site visits to department buildings and exhibits.
Be the architect of the Mammal Department’s collection plan encompassing rationale for species selection for exhibits and propagation efforts as part of the WCS Integrated Collection Plan.
Maintain the Society’s standards for excellence in animal care and management. Work with veterinarians and other WCS animal departments to assure the physical and psychological health and well-being of the animal collection.
Oversee the development of husbandry protocols for all species in the Mammal Department.
Coordinate with department staff, veterinarians, and nutritionists to create appropriate diets for all species in the Mammal Department.
Working with the Behavioral Husbandry Department, oversee the assessment and work to maximize the welfare of all the animals in the department.
Participate in and provide leadership to AZA population management programs (e.g., SSP, TAG, and SAFE programs).
Collaborate with scientific staff from other zoological parks (and WCS facilities) to obtain information that will enhance the management of the collection or assist other institutions with their collections.
Formally disseminate information to staff via department newsletter, keeper meetings, orientation programs, and providing feedback on job performance to keep lines of communication between staff and keepers as open as possible.
Provide oversight of the hiring of candidates for supervisory, keeper, provisional keeper, intern, and volunteer positions.
Ensure the supervision and evaluation of intern and volunteer activities within the department as part of WCS’s effort to provide training for future zoologists as appropriate.
Interface with other internal departments as it relates to the Mammal Department (e.g. Global Health Programs, Animal Records, the Center for Global Conservation, the other animal departments, Operations and the various shops, EGAD, Marketing, Public Affairs).
Prepare and manage the operating and capital budgets for the department.
Participate in capital and master planning as appropriate.
Participate in fundraising efforts, both public and private, as requested.
Participate as a member of exhibit/holding facility design teams to ensure that proposed designs of animal facilities are appropriate and acceptable for the animal collection.
Conduct and encourage appropriate in-situ and ex-situ animal research and disseminate results by writing papers for professional and popular publications and giving presentations to professional and lay audiences.
Prepare and submit grant proposals and investigate other avenues of financial support for programmatic elements of the department.
Represent the department and Society at professional conferences, meetings and with the media as required.
Contribute to, enhance, and uphold WCS’s policies on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and all other Core Values of WCS.
Qualifications
Advanced academic education is preferred together with a minimum of (7) years of practical experience managing a large, diverse mammal collection in a zoological park. The academic background is useful for applying scientific methodologies to animal management, and the practical experience is critical for making sound management decisions for the well-being of the collection.
Specific skills needed include database management and solid understanding of genetic-based computer software (e.g., ZIMS, PMx, PMCTrack), program development skills, and communication skills.
Develop the short- and long-term management plans and programs for the mammal collection.
Overarching supervision of a diverse group of union and non-union employees.
Ability and experience to read and understand construction documents.
Have knowledge of animal behavior, animal care and welfare, basic nutrition and health needs specifically relating to mammals.
Experience with budget preparation and management.
Be able to work closely and effectively with people at all levels.
Benefits And Perks
27 Vacation Days, 13 Holidays, 12 Paid-Time-Off, Medical, Dental, Vision, Pension Plan, 401K, $3200 tuition reimbursement, access to parks, zoos, and aquarium, discounts on merchandise and food, plus much more.
Equal Employment Opportunity Disclaimer
WCS is an equal opportunity employer, and the organization complies with all employment and labor laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination in hiring and ensures that candidates from all backgrounds are fairly and consistently considered during the recruitment process. We are dedicated to hiring and engaging a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and look for future team members who share that same value. The organization provides equal employment opportunities for all qualified candidates. The organization does not discriminate for employment based on gender, race/ethnicity, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, genetic information or any other covered status or characteristic protected by applicable laws and regulations.
It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that we do not tolerate discrimination or harassment based upon a person’s membership in one of these protected categories in areas such as recruitment, selection, job assignment, supervision, training, promotions, job grading, transfers, termination, compensation, benefits, educational opportunities, WCS sponsored recreational activities and facilities.
Note that the salary offer will reflect the selected candidate’s individual experiences, skills and qualifications, internal equity, work location, and country of work.
Salary Range: $125,000 - $160,000
Seniority level
Director
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Science and Other
Industries
Environmental Services and Non-profit Organizations
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