<p>Philadelphia Zoo</p> <p>Director of Behavioral Husbandry</p> <p>Who We Are:</p> <p>Philadelphia Zoo works to fulfill our mission as an animal care organization, as a resource to schools and families, and as an ark and advocate for endangered animals around the world.</p> <p>What makes the Zoo a unique place to work? Whether you are involved with caring for animals, educating our visitors or working in a behind-the-scenes position in administration, maintenance or garden services, all of our positions share our institutional mission, purpose, and core values.</p> <p>Who We Are Looking For:</p> <p>Classification: FULL TIME</p> <p>The Director of Behavioral Husbandry provides strategic, operational, and cultural leadership in advancing the scientific approach of behavioral health and welfare of the Zoo's animal collection. Reporting to the Senior Director of Animal Care, this position oversees the design, implementation, and evaluation of enrichment, training, and behavioral management programs across all departments. The Director champions excellence in behavioral husbandry practices while fostering a culture of compassion, collaboration, innovation, and accountability aligned with the Zoo's mission of animal well-being, conservation, and education.</p> <p>What You Will Do:</p> <p>Essential Skills:</p> <ul> <li> <p>Acts as a resource and subject matter expert across departments to ensure behavioral husbandry is embedded in animal care.</p> </li><li> <p>Animal care & operational oversight as needed.</p> </li><li> <p>Staff management & development as needed.</p> </li><li> <p>Assists directors with onboarding and training for new Assistant Directors, staff, and other zoo staff; ensures continuity of knowledge, consistency, and succession planning.</p> </li><li> <p>Collaborates with animal management team to ensure excellence in all aspects of husbandry, welfare, enrichment, training, and animal health.</p> </li><li> <p>Leads wellbeing evaluations to ensure compliance with AZA/USDA regulations and evolving best practices.</p> </li><li> <p>Maintains accurate documentation of training plans, behavioral case studies, and program progress.</p> </li><li> <p>Collaborates with directors on breeding recommendations, SSP program goals, and collection planning.</p> </li><li> <p>Facilities, safety & strategic projects as needed.</p> </li><li> <p>Collaborates with directors on facility needs including repairs, upgrades, cleanliness, equipment use, and exhibit function.</p> </li><li> <p>Contributes to master planning, exhibit design, construction projects, and space-use planning for future growth.</p> </li><li> <p>Leads the development and implementation of behavioral husbandry SOPs, protocols, and safety standards for all staff and areas.</p> </li><li> <p>Serves as a trained member of the animal escape and recapture response teams and coordinates team training.</p> </li><li> <p>Serves as a contributing member of the Animal Management Team (AMT).</p> </li><li> <p>Represents the department in internal meetings, AZA committees, and external professional settings as needed.</p> </li><li> <p>Partners across departments (e.g., Education, PR, Conservation, Development) to support Zoo-wide initiatives.</p> </li><li> <p>Participates in strategic planning efforts, data collection/reporting, and department-wide goal setting.</p> </li><li> <p>Oversees budget development and execution to ensure alignment with organizational objectives.</p> </li></ul> <p>Culture & Team Development:</p> <ul> <li> <p>Values-aligned culture that centers on animal wellbeing, safety, communication, and shared accountability.</p> </li><li> <p>Demonstrates empathy, patience, and awareness when navigating complex team dynamics or responding to staff concerns.</p> </li><li> <p>Identifies and addresses cultural drift; promotes psychological safety and collaborative decision-making across animal teams.</p> </li><li> <p>Models the Zoo's values by fostering inclusivity, innovation, and continuous learning within and across departments</p> </li><li> <p>Ability to clearly and respectfully communicate across all levels of the organization-from staff to executive leadership.</p> </li><li> <p>Skilled in active listening, asking thoughtful questions, and incorporating diverse perspectives into decision-making.</p> </li><li> <p>Build trust and rapport with peers and partners to encourage voluntary adoption of behavioral best practices.</p> </li><li> <p>Balances long-term vision with present-day team needs.</p> </li></ul> <p>What This Role Requires:</p> <ul> <li> <p>Bachelor's degree in biology, zoology, animal science, or related field required; advanced degree preferred.</p> </li><li> <p>Minimum five years of progressive experience in animal care, including two or more years in a supervisory or leadership role at an AZA-accredited institution.</p> </li><li> <p>Deep knowledge of a variety of taxa, AZA welfare standards, and behavioral husbandry.</p> </li><li> <p>Advanced knowledge of animal welfare assessments, behavioral research methods, and data analysis.</p> </li><li> <p>Strong leadership skills with a demonstrated ability to build team culture, drive results, and develop people.</p> </li><li> <p>Familiarity with AZA Animal Care Manuals, accreditation standards, and SSP roles.</p> </li><li> <p>Clear, confident communication style-both written and verbal-with strong organizational and problem-solving skills.</p> </li><li> <p>Proficiency with software and systems related to scheduling, records, and reporting.</p> </li></ul> <p>Additional Requirements:</p> <ul> <li> <p>No allergies related to plants or animals that may interfere with the ability to work.</p> </li><li> <p>Successful completion of a medical screening with emphasis on cardiovascular, respiratory and skeletal systems and drug test prior to starting work.</p> </li><li> <p>Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions.</p> </li><li> <p>Ability to remain on feet for extended periods, climb stairs, bend and stoop</p> </li><li> <p>No impairment of sight, smell, hearing, touch, balance or agility of movement that might interfere with the ability to work</p> </li><li> <p>Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.</p> </li><li> <p>Immunocompetence (possible exposure to infectious and parasitic diseases.)</p> </li><li> <p>Ability to be trained to use firearms and act as a member of the Animal Escape Team.</p> </li><li> <p>Engages in professional development as part of a commitment to excellence, innovation, and the Zoo's mission of growth and leadership in animal care and conservation.</p> </li></ul> <p>Physical and Medical Requirements:</p> <ul> <li> <p>Successful completion of a post-offer criminal background check prior to start working including, but not limited to FBI fingerprinting and Child Abuse History Clearance.</p> </li><li> <p>Must successfully complete drug test and tuberculosis test prior to assuming position; ability to life 15lbs, may require combination of sitting, standing, walking throughout the Zoo.</p> </li></ul> <p>Traits We Are Looking For:</p> <ul> <li> <p>High EQ</p> </li><li> <p>Effective listener</p> </li><li> <p>Respectful, fair and tactful</p> </li><li> <p>Curious and continuous learned</p> </li><li> <p>Collective under pressure</p> </li></ul> <p>What We Can Offer You:</p> <ul> <li> <p>Competitive Pay - We recognize talent and we pay to keep it</p> </li><li> <p>Medical, Dental, Vision -While you have our back on the grounds, we cover yours' with health insurance</p> </li><li> <p>Annual Leave - We all need a break from time to time</p> </li><li> <p>401K - There will come a time, when you are ready to retire</p> </li><li> <p>Family membership pass with complimentary tickets - (Warning: You will become a celebrity amongst your friends once they hear you work for America's 1st Zoo)</p> </li></ul> <p>Salary</p> <p>70k-80k</p> <p>How to Apply</p> <p>Candidates can apply on the Philadelphia Zoo website here: https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=3a170fe7-028b-4495-833f-df518cfad772&ccId=81367185_1790&type=JS&lang=en_US</p> <p>Philadelphia Zoo</p> <p>3400 W Girard Ave</p> <p>Philadelphia , PA 19104</p> <p>Visit our website</p>