Associate Director of Construction and Maintenance - San Diego Zoo Safari Park

San Diego Zoo Safari Park•Escondido, CA

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Associate Director of Construction & Maintenance leads upkeep, maintenance, installation, and remodeling at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance facilities in San Diego and the Pacific. Assigned facilities include the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Beckman Center for Conservation Science, Paul Harter Veterinary Hospital, Rancho Bernardo Warehouse, and remote Conservation Hubs, including locations in Hawaii and on San Clemente Island. The position is located at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park and leads in-house trade specialists and external vendors in maintaining high-quality facilities that support teams, guests, the organization's mission, and wildlife. The role reports to the Director of Facilities. The Associate Director manages and provides direction for remodeling, repairs, and maintenance across buildings, wildlife and plant habitats, roads, electrical and lighting systems, plumbing, mechanical systems, drainage, elevators, environmental systems, water treatment, and specialized life-support systems. The position also contributes to Facilities department leadership and strategic direction, promotes safety and regulatory compliance, and develops and manages the annual facility maintenance operating budget.

Requirements

At least three years of demonstrated experience leading, managing, and mentoring teams.
At least five years of experience in the construction or hospitality industry.
High school diploma.
Current valid California driver's license.
Ability to lead and motivate diverse teams on site and remotely.
Knowledge of current building design techniques, trades, tools, equipment, and materials.
Ability to translate complex technical information into easily understandable outcomes.
Ability to evaluate and use moderately complex computer software programs, maintenance systems, and work-order systems.
Ability to collaborate proactively and build strong stakeholder relationships.
Demonstrated ability to perform construction and maintenance tasks while adhering to local, state, and federal regulations.
Ability to plan, estimate, lead, prepare bids for, and remotely coordinate moderately complex construction projects.
Ability to influence through a proactive, creative, solution-focused approach.
Strong operational background, including proficiency in developing and refining standard operating procedures, scheduling, and logistics, and broad technical understanding.
Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.

Nice To Haves

Previous professional consulting experience in civil, structural, electrical, architectural, mechanical, or construction project delivery fields.
Experience in construction or campus management, such as site management, welding, carpentry, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or another related field.
Experience working with represented labor.
Experience creating, developing, or building branded spaces or environments, such as zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, city parks, amusement parks, or restaurants.
Experience creating, developing, or building habitats for wildlife or plants.
Advanced degree(s) or professional certificates.
Ability to understand union contracts regarding labor-use restrictions.
Knowledge of inventory control practices.

Responsibilities

Lead, coordinate, mentor, manage, train, recruit, and provide expert consultation to assigned and remote supervisory, administrative, construction-trade staff, and facilities specialists.
Build relationships with internal and external collaborators, stakeholders, and regulatory bodies across assigned sites; advocate for their needs and influence decisions to achieve effective facility outcomes.
Develop strategies and take proactive action to support preventative maintenance, repair before failure, first-time fixes, and a five-star service approach.
Research and assess creative solutions to facility needs, documenting options that support wildlife and plant welfare, guest experience, team engagement, mission contribution, maintainability, and value.
Manage remodeling, repair, and maintenance of facilities and associated infrastructure and systems.
Oversee consultant and contractor work scheduling; obtain required permits, prepare requests for proposals, negotiate contracts, and coordinate work to minimize operational disruption.
Contribute to Facilities department leadership and strategic direction, supporting team engagement and a consistent approach.
Reinforce and improve the team's safety focus and ensure completed work complies with current regulatory requirements.
Develop and manage the annual facility maintenance operating budget, advocate for resources, track variances, and update monthly forecasts.