Associate Director of Construction & Maintenance - San Diego Zoo Safari Park

About the role

The Associate Director of Construction & Maintenance leads the upkeep, maintenance, installation, and remodeling at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA) facilities in San Diego and the Pacific, including all facilities at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, Beckman Center for Conservation Science, Paul Harter Veterinary Hospital, Rancho Bernardo Warehouse, and remote Conservation Hubs in Hawaii and San Clemente Island. This position is based at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park and leads a team of in-house trade specialists and external vendors to achieve best-in-class facilities supporting SDZWA's teams, guests, mission, and wildlife.

Responsibilities

• Inspires, coordinates, mentors, manages, trains, recruits, and provides expert consultation to assigned and remote supervisory, administrative, and construction trade staff, including Painters, Welders, Electricians, HVAC & Water Quality Technicians, Plumbers, Carpenters, Machine Operators, Signage Specialists, and General Maintenance Workers.
• Builds proactive relationships with internal and external collaborators, stakeholders, and regulatory bodies, championing their needs and influencing decision-making to ensure optimal facility outcomes.
• Develops strategies supporting preventative maintenance, "repair before failure," "fix it right first time," and "5* service" approaches, continually improving team capacity and facility quality.
• Researches and evaluates creative, innovative solutions for facility needs, documenting options that ensure best-in-class wildlife and plant welfare, guest experience, and long-term maintainability.
• Oversees scheduling of consultant and contractor work, including procurement of permits, preparing Requests for Proposals, negotiating contracts, and coordinating work to minimize operational disruption.
• Plays a proactive role in the leadership and strategic direction of the wider Facilities department to support team engagement and consistency.
• Reinforces and improves team safety focus, ensuring compliance with current regulatory requirements.
• Develops and manages the annual facility maintenance operating budget, advocating for resources, tracking variances, and updating monthly forecasts.
• Manages and directs all remodeling, repair, and maintenance of facilities, including buildings, wildlife and plant habitats, roads, electrical, lighting, plumbing, mechanical, drainage, elevators, environmental, water treatment, and specialized life support systems.

Requirements

• At least three years of demonstrated experience leading, managing, and mentoring teams.
• Five or more years of experience in the construction or hospitality industry.
• Previous professional consulting experience in civil, structural, electrical, architectural, mechanical, or construction project delivery fields preferred.
• Experience in construction or campus management (e.g., Site Manager, Welding, Carpentry, Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC, or related fields).
• Experience working with represented labor preferred.
• Experience creating, developing, or building branded spaces or environments (e.g., zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, city parks, amusement parks, restaurants) preferred.
• Experience creating, developing, or building habitats for wildlife or plants preferred.
• High School Diploma required; advanced degree(s) or professional certificates preferred.
• Current valid California Driver's license required.

Skills

• Ability to lead and motivate diverse teams, both on-site and remotely.
• Knowledge of current building design techniques, trades, tools, equipment, and materials.
• Ability to translate complex technical information into easily understandable outcomes.
• Proficiency in evaluating and using moderately complex computer software programs, maintenance, and work order systems.
• Ability to proactively collaborate and build strong stakeholder relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to perform construction and maintenance tasks while adhering to local, state, and federal regulations.
• Ability to plan, estimate, lead, prepare bids for, and remotely coordinate moderately complex construction projects.
• Ability to influence through a proactive, creative, solution-focused approach.
• Understanding of union contracts regarding labor use restrictions preferred.
• Knowledge of inventory control practices preferred.

Benefits

• Free admission to the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
• Companion Passes.
• Complimentary Tickets.
• Free Parking at the San Diego Zoo & San Diego Zoo Safari Park.
• Local and In-House Discounts.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Wellness Program.

Pay

Salary Range: $130,421 to $146,724

Location: Escondido, CA
Position Type: Salaried Full-Time Exempt