Phillips Park Zoo
Zoo Manager
The City of Aurora is currently seeking qualified applicants for the position of Zoo Manager at the Phillips Park Zoo.
It is a great time to join the team at the Phillips Park Zoo, located in Aurora IL 41 miles west of Chicago. Phillips Park Zoo is an 8-acre municipal zoo, centrally located in the middle of the 325 acres comprising Phillips Park. The City is embarking on a Master Plan for the Zoo and the Park to renovate, redesign, and improve the grounds & exhibits in order to provide a first-class experience to our guests & visitors as well as providing top level care for animals.
Our Mission: To inspire conservation of the natural world by strengthening the connection between animals and children. We will fulfill our mission by providing unique recreation and play activities in a natural setting; high quality, inclusive nature-based educational programs; the highest quality animal care; while cooperating with other institutions to promote and ensure the survivability of wild populations; and fostering a connection with the local community.
Under the direction of the Superintendent of Parks & Recreation, the Zoo Manager is responsible for ensuring the maintenance of the Zoo grounds, managing daily operations of the Zoo, supervising all staff assigned to the Zoo, and overseeing the proper care and welfare of all collection animals.
Duties and responsibilities of the Zoo Manager include but are not limited to: Assist in developing and implementing long range plans for the zoo; Perform administrative functions such as budgeting, payroll, procurement, and management of the daily operations of the zoo; Directly responsible for supervision of entire Zoo staff including conducting interviews, hiring, training, staff development, and performance management; Functions as a liaison between staff, contracted veterinarians, and may serve as the Zoo’s representative in the absence of the Superintendent; Appropriately represent the Zoo in a variety of public relations efforts; Supervise, coordinate, and oversee all facets of grounds and exhibit(s) maintenance; Implement Department/Zoo priorities and regularly find ways to make improvements to operations, exhibits, and collection management; Develop, direct, and/or perform animal care including animal feeding, watering, cleaning, nutrition care and diet analysis; Coordinate the capture, restraint, and transport of animals, as necessary; Research and oversee improvement of animal husbandry and management; Perform other duties assigned as related to the position.
This position requires minimum bachelor’s degree (B.A.) from a four (4) year college or university in Zoological, Biological Sciences, or Veterinary related field; or five (5) years related experience, with three (3) years of management experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Requires at least three (3) years progressive supervisory experience. Requires a valid Illinois driver's license. Residency requirement or proximity requirement for response time.
Must successfully pass pre-hire requirements including but not limited to a physical, drug screen, and background check.
This is a full-time, executive position. Starting annual salary is $86,361.60, depending on experience and qualifications, with an excellent benefit package.
Definition
Under the direction of the Superintendent of Parks & Recreation, the Zoo Manager is responsible for ensuring the maintenance of the Zoo grounds, managing daily operations of the Zoo, supervising all staff assigned to the Zoo, overseeing the proper care and welfare of all collection animals, maintaining all applicable records, permits, & reports. Assists the Superintendent with implementing and maintaining the Zoo’s Master Plan, strategic initiatives, and collection plan. Acts as a liaison between staff and contracted veterinarians and may serve as the Zoo’s representative in the absence of the Superintendent.
Work Environment/Equipment
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; risk of electrical shock; and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Occasionally will work in environment with loud animal vocalization.
Essential Functions of the Job
- Assists the Superintendent of Parks & Recreation with developing and implementing long range plans for the zoo.
- Responsible for administrative functions such as budgeting, payroll, procurement, and management of the daily operations of the zoo and functions as a liaison to an advisory committee.
- Conduct and oversee zoo staff development through in-house training, external educational opportunities and performance management and evaluation.
- Appropriately represent the Zoo in a variety of public relations efforts including but not limited to press interviews, instructional classes, behind the scenes tours, and informal communications with guests to promote the zoo and zoo events.
- Supervises, coordinates, and oversees all facets of grounds and exhibit(s) maintenance including analyzing and implementing the use of chemical agents and special tools which are necessary to ensure the health and safety of all animals while ensuring the highest levels of service and impeccable presentation to the visiting public.
- Implement Department / Zoo priorities and demonstrate the initiative and expertise to regularly find ways to make improvements to operations, exhibits, collection management including transfers, acquisitions, and introductions.
- Develop, direct, and/or performs animal care including but not limited to the dispensation of medical drugs and treatments as prescribed by an authorized veterinarian. Nutrition care and diet analysis implementing any changes as deemed necessary in conjunction with veterinary recommendations.
- Maintains detailed records on animal behavior, physical condition, reproduction, genealogy, facility condition and conducts analysis of records and provides summary reports to the Superintendent of Parks and Recreation. Maintains and completes inventory
- Coordinates, supervises and/or performs all animal feeding, watering, and cleaning.
- Coordinates the capture, restraint, and transport of animals, as necessary. Coordinates animal shipments and transports.
- Researches and oversees improvement of animal husbandry and management. Oversees the humane disposal of surplus animals.
- Directly responsible for supervision of Zoo staff including fulltime zookeepers, seasonal keepers, interns, volunteers, and zoo ambassador partnerships. Communicates staffing issues to the Superintendent of Parks and Recreation. Will also interview, hire, train and administer discipline when necessary.
- Answers visitor and public inquiries regarding animals and zoo operations. Conducts group tours for visitors and volunteers. Prepares and presents training programs for assigned volunteers and staff. Assists in educational and/or research programs as assigned.
- Along with Superintendent of Parks & Recreation, work with internal and external partners to further our conservation and education missions.
- Take the lead in establishing strategic partnerships and sponsorships to aide in fundraising opportunities to further enhance the Zoo and Zoo operations.
- Performs other duties assigned as related to the position.
Required Skills and Knowledge
- Requires thorough knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques involving planning, implementing, and managing the daily operations, maintenance, advertising, marketing, and developing short-term and long-term development of the Zoo.
- Requires knowledge and ability to understand and ensure the Zoo is compliant with all federal, state, and other applicable laws, statutes, and regulations governing the collection, exhibition, and care of wild and/or exotic animals.
- Ability to make sound decisions, including fiscally and social responsibility.
- Ability to manage the animal collection, including acquisition, transfers, and introductions.
- Requires knowledge and ability to direct the care and management of the animal collection.
- Requires demonstrated proficiency in oral and written communication.
- Requires ability to direct and supervise the activities of subordinate personnel.
- Requires proven ability to develop and lead workplace teams and achieve measurable results
- Requires commitment to career growth and development of staff.
- Requires ability to organize, plan and coordinate the activities of a division.
- Requires excellent organizational, supervisory, communication and public relations skills.
- Requires ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other City officials, departmental officials, employees, and the public.
- Requires the ability to make decisions that are consistent with program development and normal budgetary constraints.
- Prior experience in meeting and maintaining AZA standards and requirements for accreditation.
Qualifications for Hire
- Requires minimum bachelor’s degree (B. A.) from four (4) year college or university in Zoological, Biological Sciences, or Veterinary related field; or five (5) years related experience, with three years of management experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Requires at least three (3) years progressive supervisory experience.
- Requires a valid Illinois driver's license.
- Residency requirement or proximity requirement for response time.
How to Apply
Applications and resumes should be submitted online at
https://il-aurora.civicplushrms.com/careers/ by April 14, 2023. Submit the application using the information provided on the original job listing located on AZA.org.
Phillips Park Zoo
Aurora, IL
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