Animal Welfare & Research Program Manager

Oakland Zoo•Oakland, CA

17d•$32 - $37

About The Position

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.

Requirements

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

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

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
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
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