ACP Admin - Vice President of Animal Care & Conservation

Brookfield Zoo Chicago•Brookfield, IL

2d•$139,265 - $154,933•Onsite

About The Position

Join the PRIDE and Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s mission to ignite emotional connections with wildlife that spark conservation action while leading vital programs to protect endangered species. Our beautiful 235-acre campus offers a living classroom that is home to over 3,500 animals representing 500 species. Brookfield Zoo Chicago is embarking on a groundbreaking, ambitious Next Century Plan to achieve our vision. It is the beginning of an exciting transformative journey! Brookfield Zoo Chicago (“BZC”) is seeking a dynamic, innovative and collaborative leader for our Vice President of Animal Care and Conservation in support of our advancing the highest standards of animal care, welfare and sustainability. Standing on the brink of our 100th anniversary in 2034, Brookfield Zoo Chicago’s ambitious Next Century Plan will transform our campus with dynamic animal habitats and wild landscapes. As the animals in our care are at the heart of BZC, the focus will be on strengthening and diversifying our animal population by introducing new species that strategically align with the Next Century Plan while curating an animal population that reflects conservation priorities. The Vice President of Animal Care and Conservation will also focus on strengthening employee engagement, supporting employee development and collaborate with leadership on philanthropy, infrastructure, guest experiences and programming. The Vice President of Animal Care & Conservation serves as senior leadership manager for the Animal Care & Programs group. Works cooperatively and collaboratively with Senior V.P. and ACP managers to establish, implement, and maintain high quality standards for animal care and welfare. Oversees husbandry programs for the animal collection, working closely with other departments to integrate activities related to animal nutrition, veterinary care, animal acquisition/disposition, breeding, recordkeeping, animal behavior, conservation, and environments.

Requirements

Minimum Bachelor’s Degree in Animal Biology, Zoology, or relevant field or equivalent combination of two years’ experience to one year of college coursework. This degree requirement can be satisfied by 8 years’ relevant experience in a Curator, General Curator, or comparable position at a management level. High school diploma or educational equivalent (e.g., GED.) required.
Five years of experience in a Curator or comparable leadership position.
Knowledge / familiarity with AZA accreditation standards, code of ethics and representative husbandry standards.
Familiar with AZA or other captive population management programs.
Familiarity with USDA and other regulatory requirements.
Strong interpersonal and communications skills, including verbal, written, platform, and listening skills.
Must be articulate, able to establish and maintain a strong rapport and positive relationships.
Experience working with opposing constituencies, operating as a facilitator, and a reconciler of interests.
Effective networker, decision-maker and problem-solver.
Coach and facilitator, with a strong commitment to developing staff.
A role model who can mentor and teach others; strong team orientation.
Individual of strong character and ethics, who is fair, objective, sensitive, and able to withstand criticisms and personal challenges.
Must be flexible, cooperative, and able to adapt easily to shifting priorities.
Highly professional, self-motivated, results-oriented, and confident.
Ability to maintain the confidentiality of privileged information.
Strong interest in/commitment to conservation, animals, and the natural world.
Proficiency in MS Office applications (word processing and database management) essential.
Cultural proficiency; experience and/or ability to work and interact effectively with a diverse, multicultural audience.
English fluency at a full professional level.
Valid driver’s license required at time of hire. Illinois residents must possess a valid Illinois driver’s license or obtain one within 90 days of hire. Valid out-of-state driver’s license is required for out-of-state residents.

Nice To Haves

Masters or Ph.D. Degree in Animal Biology, Zoology, or relevant field or equivalent combination of training and/or experience preferred.
AZA professional membership preferred.
Familiarity with animal record keeping systems; studbook programs preferred.

Responsibilities

Works closely and collaboratively with the SVP, senior managers of the Animal Care & Programs (ACP) Group, the Animal Health & Welfare Group (AHW), and others to determine institutional standards of care, assure the health and well-being of the animal collection and the integration and coordination of information, plans, and activities to assure optimum care of the collection and achievement of Brookfield Zoo Chicago (“BZC”) overall goals and objectives.
Works to maintain and reinforce a culture of continuous improvement and a focus on the importance of behavioral husbandry standards.
Creates metrics for measuring quality of animal care, advancements in animal care, and impact of same on animal well-being.
Works with staff to quantify and implement means to document animal well-being and animal responses to husbandry programs and environments.
Works with ACP staff and other AHWS specialists to oversee the care of the collection, including but not limited to: monitoring the health and reproductive status of the animals, monitoring, assessing, and responding to indicators of well-being; assist in the determination and support of training and enrichment to support animal visibility goals; identifying the need for special dietary and/or medical treatment; to gather research and other data needed in the care of the collection; and other activities as appropriate.
Ensures that ACP operations, facilities and staff comply with established protocols, policies, and procedures, professional standards, and governmental regulations.
With input from SVP and ACP managers, develops, implements, and communicates a management plan for the animal collection and for the department, including species selection, reproduction and contraception, and animal transactions.
Seeks appropriate input from ACP managers, Executive Team, and other managers.
Manages the collection to optimize the well-being of individuals and populations, for genetic and demographic management, and to meet exhibition/guest experience goals.
Interfaces with SVP, ACP staff, and departments regarding strategic planning and implementation, research plans, animal collection plans, guest experience and exhibition, etc.
Collaborates with the SVP and AHWS to set leadership goals to achieve leadership goals within the AZA and conservation communities.
Collaborates in developing in-situ and ex-situ conservation programs while ensuring integration with the animal collection, education, and conservation messages for exhibit goals.
Provides leadership to all ACP involved conservation programs ensuring alignment across the departments.
Works with Guest Services, Marketing, SSA and others with respect to exhibition, guest experience, and catered events objectives.
Provides technical input and serves as a resource for planning, designing and improving exhibits, and for promotions and events.
In coordination with the SVP, assists in overseeing the activities of contractors and BZC staff during major construction, maintenance, and repair projects, and coordinates with other areas and staff as appropriate, to ensure the health and safety of the animal collection, projects are completed on time and within budget, and that the final projects meet BZC requirements for quality, health and safety, guest satisfaction, etc.
Participates in oversight of capital planning, construction and maintenance projects for animal facilities and enclosures.
Consults with the Registrar on animal records (individual and population) and makes recommendations to provide integrated and accessible records and/or to address issues and identify trends in the animal collection.
Assists in leading regular meetings of ACP managers and staff and ensures timely decision-making and resolution of issues.
Promotes collaboration and fosters teamwork and a positive work environment.
As part of the Programs & Impact (“P&I”) Leadership team, partners with the Education & Community Engagement (“ECE”) Group and other staff to confirm a comprehensive visitor communications program in accordance with BZC’s long-range plan.
Provides expertise and input into programs and ensures that the program is implemented, evaluated, and updated as necessary.
Contributes to the integration of the ACP and ECE teams to create synergies between the animal collection, exhibit experience, consistent and integrated educational and conservation messaging.
Directs assigned ACP staff, including: scheduling; coaching and counseling; recognition; and recommendation of employment actions, including but not limited to: disciplinary actions.
Makes appropriate recommendations with respect to department structure, staffing and manpower needs.
Represents BZC and the animal collection and promotes its interests externally, including but not limited to representation with the AZA, to local, national and international conservation groups, the academic community, and the media.
Represents BZC's position and interests in animal conservation and other issues in a well-informed, positive, professional, and responsive manner.
Contributes articles to scientific journals and makes presentations to professional organizations and institutions.
Represents BZC to external visitors, i.e. guests, trustees, donors, media, visiting colleagues, etc.
Assures full and effective two-way communications among staff members of the ACP group.
Assures staff are fully engaged and involved at all levels and that input and feedback flows up, down and across.
Keeps appropriate others apprised of plans and activities, as well as emergent issues.
Fosters effective communications within the group and holds staff accountable for same.
Other related duties as assigned to assure successful achievement of ACP goals and objectives.