Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
Senior Vice President of Animal Care
Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, Omaha, Nebraska, us, 68197
The Organization
Omahas Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, acclaimed as the #1 Zoo in the United States by USA Today in 2023 and 2024, is dedicated to upholding its exceptional standards and delivering extraordinary experiences for its visitors. We are seeking a dynamic Senior Vice President of Animal Care to lead and enhance our renowned animal care programs. This critical role will drive the strategic direction and operational excellence of our animal care, ensuring the highest standards of animal wellbeing and health, while supporting our conservation and species sustainability efforts.
Reporting directly to President and CEO Luis Padilla, the Senior Vice President of Animal Care will be an integral member of the executive leadership team, overseeing a dedicated team of animal care professionals. This leader will shape the future of animal programs at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium and the Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park, advancing our mission of engaging, inspiring, and educating guests to be stewards of wildlife through unique, world-renowned exhibits, experiences, and conservation initiatives.
The ideal candidate will be a visionary leader with extensive experience in zoological management and a deep commitment to animal welfare and conservation. The candidate should embrace progressive, modern animal care practices, and intelligent risk-taking in animal exhibitry to create impactful and unique experiences. You should bring a proven track record in enhancing animal care programs, leading diverse teams, and advancing best practices in animal management. A background in managing large, complex teams of animal care professionals, combined with a passion for educating the public and supporting conservation efforts, will be highly valued.
Location: Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha offers a vibrant metropolitan atmosphere with a rich array of amenities. The city boasts a thriving dining scene, an emerging music culture, and numerous cultural attractions.
Job Description
The Senior Vice President of Animal Care oversees all aspects of the care of the animals at Omahas Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium (OHDZA) and collaborates on a shared animal collection at the Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park. This position is responsible for coordinating, developing, and implementing plans, policies, and procedures for managing the animal collection. This includes overseeing all aspects of animal and veterinary care, ensuring animal well-being and welfare, and guiding the institutional species plan. The role involves supervising animal care and management, enforcing safety protocols, and handling acquisition and disposition policies. Additionally, it includes overseeing water quality and life support systems, maintaining accurate recordkeeping, managing pest control, and supporting species sustainability efforts, all in line with modern zoological practices and principles.
Duties and Responsibilities/Essential Functions
(include but not limited to):
Executive Leadership:
Serve as a key member of the Zoos executive and senior leadership teams, providing strategic advice on all aspects of animal care and operations.
Assume senior leadership responsibilities and operational duties in the absence of the Zoo President/CEO as needed.
Engage regularly with members of the Board of Directors of the Omaha Zoological Society, fostering strong relationships and collaboration.
Strategic Direction:
Lead and provide vision for animal care, veterinary services, and animal welfare at both the Zoo and the Safari Park.
Direct and support capital projects, new exhibit construction, and renovations, ensuring adherence to best practices in animal care and facility design.
Drive and collaborate on species conservation initiatives with the conservation and science teams.
Animal Management:
Oversee the daily care, management, exhibitry, and veterinary services for the Zoos animal collection, ensuring top-notch welfare at both the Zoo and Safari Park.
Collaborate with the Deputy Director of the Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park regarding the coordination of a shared animal collection plan.
Supervise and support behavioral husbandry, training, enrichment, and welfare initiatives to advance animal care standards.
Ensure the adoption of best practices in modern zoological care, including advancements in animal welfare, behavioral husbandry, and enrichment.
Team Oversight:
Manage a diverse team of animal care professionals, including curators, veterinarians, and specialists, overseeing budgeting and facility renewal.
Professional Development:
Manage staff training, development, and career advancement to uphold high standards of animal care.
Policy Development:
Develop and enforce policies for species management, acquisition, and disposition, ensuring alignment with legal and regulatory standards.
Collaboration:
Work closely with teams in nutrition, reproductive sciences, genetics, and conservation to enhance animal welfare.
Recordkeeping & Compliance:
Oversee accurate recordkeeping and information management to ensure compliance with permits, documentation, and industry standards.
Emergency Preparedness:
Ensure readiness for various emergencies, including animal escape drills and accidental animal attacks.
External Relations:
Serve as an ambassador for the Zoo by engaging with media, donors, and external partners.
Operational Support:
Develop and manage large operational budgets and facility renewal projects to support animal care teams.
Other Duties:
Oversee the organizations pest control and Dive Safety programs through delegated supervision.
Candidate Profile
Knowledge Base and Experience:
Comprehensive understanding of modern zoological practices, including animal care, welfare science, collection planning, species sustainability, and conservation.
Expertise in habitat design, management, and exhibitry.
Current knowledge of industry best practices, trends, and challenges in zoological practices.
Familiarity with local, state, national, and international regulations.
Professional and Cultural Characteristics:
Understanding and appreciation for the Zoos role in the Omaha community.
Aligned with the organizations mission and takes pride in the Zoos success.
Required Qualifications:
Bachelors degree in biology, Zoology, or a related field; advanced degrees (DVM, PhD) are highly desirable.
Six to eight years of relevant management experience or equivalent.
Demonstrated experience in supervisory, management, and leadership roles.
Contacts
For additional information about the role, please contact the following contact:
Megan RachalSenior Vice President of People and Culture & CHROOmahas Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquariummegan.rachal@omahazoo.com
Supervisory Responsibilities
Directly supervises animal care team:
6 Curators
1 Director of Animal Health
1 Manager of Behavioral Husbandry and Wellbeing
Work Environment/Physical Demands
This position works primarily in an office environment, however, a significant portion of the duty in an outdoor exotic animal/zoo environment subject to all types of weather conditions and a certain amount of risk.
Travel Required
Some travel is required (conferences, workshops, scientific and conservation endeavors).
Remote Work
This position allows for some remote work, but is primarily based at Omahas Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium.
Work authorization
List any visa requirements, H1B sponsorship or special clearances.
Disclaimer
The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain, nor is it to be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and objectives required of employees assigned to this job.
Omahas Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer as defined by the EEOC.
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Omahas Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, acclaimed as the #1 Zoo in the United States by USA Today in 2023 and 2024, is dedicated to upholding its exceptional standards and delivering extraordinary experiences for its visitors. We are seeking a dynamic Senior Vice President of Animal Care to lead and enhance our renowned animal care programs. This critical role will drive the strategic direction and operational excellence of our animal care, ensuring the highest standards of animal wellbeing and health, while supporting our conservation and species sustainability efforts.
Reporting directly to President and CEO Luis Padilla, the Senior Vice President of Animal Care will be an integral member of the executive leadership team, overseeing a dedicated team of animal care professionals. This leader will shape the future of animal programs at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium and the Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park, advancing our mission of engaging, inspiring, and educating guests to be stewards of wildlife through unique, world-renowned exhibits, experiences, and conservation initiatives.
The ideal candidate will be a visionary leader with extensive experience in zoological management and a deep commitment to animal welfare and conservation. The candidate should embrace progressive, modern animal care practices, and intelligent risk-taking in animal exhibitry to create impactful and unique experiences. You should bring a proven track record in enhancing animal care programs, leading diverse teams, and advancing best practices in animal management. A background in managing large, complex teams of animal care professionals, combined with a passion for educating the public and supporting conservation efforts, will be highly valued.
Location: Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha offers a vibrant metropolitan atmosphere with a rich array of amenities. The city boasts a thriving dining scene, an emerging music culture, and numerous cultural attractions.
Job Description
The Senior Vice President of Animal Care oversees all aspects of the care of the animals at Omahas Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium (OHDZA) and collaborates on a shared animal collection at the Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park. This position is responsible for coordinating, developing, and implementing plans, policies, and procedures for managing the animal collection. This includes overseeing all aspects of animal and veterinary care, ensuring animal well-being and welfare, and guiding the institutional species plan. The role involves supervising animal care and management, enforcing safety protocols, and handling acquisition and disposition policies. Additionally, it includes overseeing water quality and life support systems, maintaining accurate recordkeeping, managing pest control, and supporting species sustainability efforts, all in line with modern zoological practices and principles.
Duties and Responsibilities/Essential Functions
(include but not limited to):
Executive Leadership:
Serve as a key member of the Zoos executive and senior leadership teams, providing strategic advice on all aspects of animal care and operations.
Assume senior leadership responsibilities and operational duties in the absence of the Zoo President/CEO as needed.
Engage regularly with members of the Board of Directors of the Omaha Zoological Society, fostering strong relationships and collaboration.
Strategic Direction:
Lead and provide vision for animal care, veterinary services, and animal welfare at both the Zoo and the Safari Park.
Direct and support capital projects, new exhibit construction, and renovations, ensuring adherence to best practices in animal care and facility design.
Drive and collaborate on species conservation initiatives with the conservation and science teams.
Animal Management:
Oversee the daily care, management, exhibitry, and veterinary services for the Zoos animal collection, ensuring top-notch welfare at both the Zoo and Safari Park.
Collaborate with the Deputy Director of the Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park regarding the coordination of a shared animal collection plan.
Supervise and support behavioral husbandry, training, enrichment, and welfare initiatives to advance animal care standards.
Ensure the adoption of best practices in modern zoological care, including advancements in animal welfare, behavioral husbandry, and enrichment.
Team Oversight:
Manage a diverse team of animal care professionals, including curators, veterinarians, and specialists, overseeing budgeting and facility renewal.
Professional Development:
Manage staff training, development, and career advancement to uphold high standards of animal care.
Policy Development:
Develop and enforce policies for species management, acquisition, and disposition, ensuring alignment with legal and regulatory standards.
Collaboration:
Work closely with teams in nutrition, reproductive sciences, genetics, and conservation to enhance animal welfare.
Recordkeeping & Compliance:
Oversee accurate recordkeeping and information management to ensure compliance with permits, documentation, and industry standards.
Emergency Preparedness:
Ensure readiness for various emergencies, including animal escape drills and accidental animal attacks.
External Relations:
Serve as an ambassador for the Zoo by engaging with media, donors, and external partners.
Operational Support:
Develop and manage large operational budgets and facility renewal projects to support animal care teams.
Other Duties:
Oversee the organizations pest control and Dive Safety programs through delegated supervision.
Candidate Profile
Knowledge Base and Experience:
Comprehensive understanding of modern zoological practices, including animal care, welfare science, collection planning, species sustainability, and conservation.
Expertise in habitat design, management, and exhibitry.
Current knowledge of industry best practices, trends, and challenges in zoological practices.
Familiarity with local, state, national, and international regulations.
Professional and Cultural Characteristics:
Understanding and appreciation for the Zoos role in the Omaha community.
Aligned with the organizations mission and takes pride in the Zoos success.
Required Qualifications:
Bachelors degree in biology, Zoology, or a related field; advanced degrees (DVM, PhD) are highly desirable.
Six to eight years of relevant management experience or equivalent.
Demonstrated experience in supervisory, management, and leadership roles.
Contacts
For additional information about the role, please contact the following contact:
Megan RachalSenior Vice President of People and Culture & CHROOmahas Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquariummegan.rachal@omahazoo.com
Supervisory Responsibilities
Directly supervises animal care team:
6 Curators
1 Director of Animal Health
1 Manager of Behavioral Husbandry and Wellbeing
Work Environment/Physical Demands
This position works primarily in an office environment, however, a significant portion of the duty in an outdoor exotic animal/zoo environment subject to all types of weather conditions and a certain amount of risk.
Travel Required
Some travel is required (conferences, workshops, scientific and conservation endeavors).
Remote Work
This position allows for some remote work, but is primarily based at Omahas Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium.
Work authorization
List any visa requirements, H1B sponsorship or special clearances.
Disclaimer
The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain, nor is it to be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and objectives required of employees assigned to this job.
Omahas Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer as defined by the EEOC.
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