Executive Director - Junior Museum & Zoo (JMZ)

City of Palo Alto • Palo Alto, CA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The City of Palo Alto Community Services Department is seeking an experienced, collaborative, and visionary professional to serve as the Executive Director for the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo (JMZ). This leadership role provides strategic oversight, operational management, and long-term planning for a dynamic and highly visible division that includes an accredited zoo, children’s museum, educational programs, camps, special events, birthday parties, and community engagement initiatives. The Junior Museum & Zoo serves thousands of children and families annually through hands-on science learning, animal experiences, camps, classes, outreach programs, and community events. The facility currently is open to the public six days per week, generates more than $3 million annually in revenue, and includes over 35 staff members across education, animal care, guest services, operations, and administration.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a related field and five years of progressively responsible, directly related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job.
• Valid California Driver's License.
• First Aide/CPR Certification (Must be obtained within first 6 months of hire)

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in a related field preferred.
• Master’s Degree in degree in Recreation, Museum Studies, Zoology, Biology, Education, Public Administration, or Environmental Science.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership, operational oversight, and long-range planning for the Junior Museum & Zoo.
• Lead and support multidisciplinary teams while fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing culture focused on safety, accountability, innovation, and exceptional guest experiences.
• Oversee the planning, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of zoo, museum, educational, conservation, and community engagement programs.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with schools, community organizations, volunteers, donors, sponsors, and professional organizations, and represent the organization within the community.
• Manage departmental budgets, financial resources, grants, contracts, and capital improvement projects to ensure fiscal sustainability and operational effectiveness.
• Analyze operational and program data, identify opportunities for improvement, and implement strategies that enhance services, efficiency, and community impact.
• Ensure compliance with City policies, safety standards, regulatory requirements, and Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accreditation standards.
• Promote a safe, welcoming, and engaging environment for staff, volunteers, guests, and animals.
• Supervises staff to include: prioritizing and assigning work; conducting performance evaluations; ensuring staff are trained; and making hiring, termination and disciplinary recommendations.
• Coordinates, supervises, and evaluates day-to-day operations of an assigned major program; ensures compliance with applicable internal and external requirements.
• Coordinates the development, implementation, and supervision of program goals, objectives, policies, procedures, activities, and strategic initiatives; assesses consequences and outcomes of program initiatives.
• Performs regular inspections of program sites to ensure the safety of staff and patrons.
• Develops and recommends program plans and priorities.

Benefits

• Comprehensive compensation plan.
• Option of a 9/80 work schedule with every other Friday off
• Tuition reimbursement, leadership training, and career growth opportunities
• Potential enrollment for dependents in the Palo Alto Unified School District (pilot program, subject to change)
• $10,000 in childcare subsidies (pilot program, subject to change)
• Incentives for walking, biking and taking transit to work. The City of Palo Alto participates in the Clipper Bay Pass program (Employee Cost: $5 per month).
• Defined-Benefit Retirement Plan: with competitive pension benefits

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive