Zoo Director

Zoo Director

The City of Boise is seeking an accomplished, visionary executive to lead Zoo Boise into its next chapter. The Zoo Director will set strategic direction, elevate and empower a high-performing team, and foster a culture of trust, accountability, collaboration, and excellence.

This position oversees City of Boise and Friends of Zoo Boise staff, partners with the Friends Board of Directors, and provides leadership for operations, financial stewardship, facilities, and long-range planning. The Director will advance Zoo Boise's mission and strategic priorities while ensuring alignment with AZA accreditation standards and federal animal care regulations. Zoo Boise is deeply committed to excellence in animal care, meaningful conservation, and education that inspires people to value and protect wildlife.

The ideal candidate is a strategic and inspiring leader with strong business acumen, expertise in zoo or aquarium operations, and a demonstrated ability to develop people, lead through change, build partnerships, and translate vision into results.

Candidates must have a bachelor's degree in biological sciences, business management, or an equivalent field and at least five years of relevant leadership, animal biology, and business management experience in a zoo or aquarium of similar size.

This position works under administrative direction and is designated At-Will.

Essential Functions

• Supervises and manages all aspects of the organization. Leads animal care professionals, environmental education staff, donor relations teams, communications and marketing efforts, facilities planning and project execution, concession partners, and maintenance employees. Serves as Boise Parks and Recreation Superintendent of Zoo Boise and Executive Director of Friends of Zoo Boise. Manages all aspects of Zoo Boise/Friends of Zoo Boise businesses and organizational structures.
• As Executive Director of Friends of Zoo Boise, leads the Friends of Zoo Boise staff and board operations. Manages membership, grants and major donor programs. Through recruitment and development, increases board capacity to support capital projects and animal procurement. Leads marketing and fundraising efforts to meet projected organizational goals. Manages board budget and financial projections. Leads team offering unique recreational and educational experiences for youth and adults, including volunteer and event management. Support global animal and environmental conservation projects in areas such as Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique and seeks to expand the impact of Zoo Boise in support of species and environmental conservation.
• As a part of the Boise Parks and Recreation leadership team, leads the City of Boise staff, enhances citywide impact offering unique opportunities for animal experiences, engaging exhibits, global conservation projects, and well maintained facilities. Ensures compliance with all applicable rules and regulations associated with accredited zoo operations. Builds budget and revenue projections to meet current and future needs of zoo facilities and operations. Ensures all risk and safety protocols and certifications are current and address the needs of zoo operations and programming. Preserves and fosters key partnerships with contractors, vendors, non-profit organizations, federal agencies, and the AZA.
• Performs other duties as assigned. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position at any time.

Requirements

Required Knowledge, Experience, And Training

• Bachelor's degree in biological sciences, business management or an equivalent with knowledge and
• Five years of experience in leadership, animal biology, and business management in a zoo or aquarium of similar size.

Knowledge of:

• Application and interpretation of laws and regulations related to the operation of a zoo or aquarium
• Municipal finance and budget management; fundraising best practices
• Principles and practices of public relations and marketing and non-profit management, including board management; animal husbandry construction of zoo exhibits
• Facilities management and operating within the larger zoo community and computer usage including related software

Ability to:

• Plan, organize and direct the activities of the city department division and non-profit organization
• Develop and implement short- and long-range plans and programs to support the organization's mission, goals and objectives
• Provide leadership
• Communicate effectively in the English language at a level necessary for efficient job performance
• Perform all essential functions as assigned by an authorized employee, supervisor and/or manager with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Individuals must be capable of operating vehicles safely and have an acceptable driving record

Preferred Knowledge, Experience, And Training

• Master's degree in business management or biological sciences
• Eight years of proven leadership experience in an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited institution and/or
• Five years of experience in non-profit management with proven project management and fundraising skills

Licensing And Other Requirements

• Valid state-issued driver's license

Special Requirements

• Applicants must be able to pass: City of Boise background check processes which includes a criminal history check and reference checks in accordance with the City of Boise Hiring Process Regulation
• Credit History Check
• Driving Record Check
• Education Verification
• Drug Free Workplace: In accordance with the City of Boise Drug Free Workplace Regulation, this position is designated as safety sensitive and is subject to testing requirements including Post Offer Applicant Testing, Random Testing, Reasonable Suspicion, Post - Accident, etc. Applicants will be required to submit to screening for illegal drug use prior to hire. Appointment to this position is contingent upon a negative pre-employment drug test.
• This position is required to qualify and maintain qualification standards to carry firearms.

Working Conditions

The physical effort characteristics and working environment described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Physical Efforts While performing the duties of this job the employee is occasionally lifting/carrying up to 10 pounds and rarely lifting/carrying up to 50 pounds. Also, the employee is occasionally pushing/pulling up to 10 pounds and rarely pushing/pulling up to 35 pounds. The noise level is occasionally moderate and rarely loud. Work includes sensory ability to talk, hear, smell and touch. Work in this position also includes close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision and depth perception. Employees will sit, stand, walk, run, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach and grasp. Position requires hand/finger dexterity.

Working Environment The work environment will include inside conditions, outdoor weather conditions, in wet and humid conditions, areas of dust, odors, mist and gases or other airborne matter. Employees will also drive a vehicle as part of this position. This position requires the ability to use firearms, dart rifles, working around dangerous drugs and working around and handling animals, including unpredictable and highly dangerous animals. This position works: Regularly on weekends, evenings and holidays.

Benefits

Top talent deserves top-notch benefits. The City is among the best in the Treasure Valley when it comes to the benefits and perks we offer our employees. Most positions are eligible for the general benefits listed here; firefighters, police officers, senior managers, command staff, and directors may be offered other benefit plans.

Healthcare:

• ZERO premium medical coverage option for you and your family
• Low-cost dental and vision options
• Post-employment health savings account

Retirement and Investment Plans:

• Required participation in PERSI Base Plan retirement benefits with standard employee and City contribution rates
• 401(k) or 457b pre-tax investment options with employer match
• 457b Roth after-tax investment options with no match

WellBeing Program:

• Up to $500 cash per year for participants
• Alternative transportation incentives

Paid Leave City employees receive generous paid leave:

• 10 hours of vacation per month, and this increases the longer you stay with the City
• 12 paid holidays every year
• 8 hours of sick leave per month
• 10 weeks Parental Leave

Life & Long Term Disability:

• Basic Life insurance at no