Associate Director, Operations (PROJECT POLICY ANL MGR 1)

This position focuses on coordination of subject matter expertise and content related to the rescue, care, and rehabilitation of oiled wildlife; management of physical assets for the program; and coordination of the initial deployment operations for emergency response efforts. The role works in close coordination with the Director of the program and the Associate Director of Network Management, who leads the management of the 45 Member Organizations and 1600 responders that empower the OWCN to deliver world-class emergency response efforts to oil spills in California state waters. This role supervises content experts in animal health and care, field operations, and a logistics unit.

Responsibilities

• 40% Leadership and Administration: Oversee day-to-day activities of the Oiled Wildlife Care Network’s (OWCN) Management Team, ensuring operational readiness and effective team coordination.
• 30% Content Management and Training Support: Coordinate subject matter expertise and content related to the rescue, care, and rehabilitation of oiled wildlife, including training and preparedness activities.
• 15% Asset Management: Manage physical assets for the program to support emergency response efforts.
• 15% Other: Support additional departmental needs and initiatives as required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related area and/or 6 or more years of related experience.
• Experience with emergency response.
• Demonstrated supervisory experience.
• Collaborative, team-oriented, detail-oriented, and capable of setting priorities and meeting timelines in a fast-paced, rapidly changing work environment.
• Ability to travel monthly around California for routine partner visits and deploy with limited notice for emergency response activations; comfortable with flexible working hours.
• Exceptional writing and communication skills, with experience teaching and conducting training in informal or formal settings.
• Experience with incident command/emergency response.
• Required to hold a valid California driver’s license, maintain a driving record in accordance with local policies/procedures, and/or enroll in the California Employer Pull Notice Program.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree (DVM/PhD).
• Experience working in an academic or state/federal government setting.
• Technical expertise in wildlife medicine/care or wildlife field operations, ideally in emergency situations.

About the Department

The Oiled Wildlife Care Network (OWCN) is a globally recognized wildlife emergency preparedness and response program administered through a partnership between the University of California, Davis, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Office of Spill Prevention and Response. The program is powered by over 40 member organizations across California, including major zoos, aquariums, and wildlife rehabilitation facilities. Its purpose is to provide the best achievable capture and care to wildlife impacted by oil spills across California.

The program is coordinated by a Management Team based at UC Davis, ensuring readiness activities—including training over 3,000 responders—and deploying technical capacity during oil spill responses. The OWCN is housed within the Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center (WHC) at UC Davis, a multidisciplinary unit focused on the health of free-ranging and captive terrestrial and aquatic wild animals. As a Center of Excellence within the One Health Institute (OHI), the WHC implements the One Health approach, recognizing the interconnected health of animals, people, and their shared environments.

Pay

Salary range: $94,700.00 – $177,300.00 annually.

Schedule

• Work Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM.
• Appointment Type: 100% full-time, career staff position.
• Location: Davis, CA (hybrid: mix of on-site and remote work).

Benefits

UC Davis offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• High-quality, low-cost medical plans for you and your family.
• Dental and vision insurance premiums fully paid by UC.
• Extensive leave benefits, including pregnancy and parental leave, family and medical leave, paid holidays, and paid time off/vacation/sick leave.
• Continuing education allowance and education reimbursement program.
• Access to free professional development courses and learning opportunities.
• WorkLife and wellness programs, including on-site Employee Assistance Program with free mental health services.
• Supplemental insurance options (e.g., life, disability, pet, legal coverage).
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) qualification and student loan repayment assistance for eligible roles.
• Retirement benefit options, including pension and retirement savings plans.

Physical Demands

• Standing: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Walking: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Sitting: Frequent, 3 to 6 hours.
• Lifting/Carrying:
  • 0–25 lbs: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
  • 26–50 lbs: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
  • Over 50 lbs: Frequent, 3 to 6 hours.
• Pushing/Pulling:
  • 0–25 lbs: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
  • 26–50 lbs: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
  • Over 50 lbs: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Bending/Stooping, Squatting/Kneeling, Twisting, Climbing, Reaching overhead: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Keyboard use/repetitive motion: Frequent, 3 to 6 hours.

Environmental Demands

• Exposure to chemicals, dust, gases, or fumes: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Loud noise levels: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Marked changes in humidity or temperature: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Microwave/radiation: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Operating motor vehicles and/or equipment: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Extreme temperatures: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Uneven surfaces or elevations: Occasional, up to 3 hours.
• Work in inclement weather, including long-distance walking/hiking, extended periods on boats, or physically demanding activities in hot, humid environments.
• Work with hazardous materials and/or infectious diseases.
• Work with potentially dangerous wildlife.
• Occasional overtime, holidays, and weekends; vacation restrictions during peak periods.

Mental Demands

• Sustained attention and concentration: Continuous, 6 to 8+ hours.
• Complex problem-solving and reasoning: Continuous, 6 to 8+ hours.
• Ability to organize and prioritize: Continuous, 6 to 8+ hours.
• Communication skills: Continuous, 6 to 8+ hours.
• Numerical skills: Continuous, 6 to 8+ hours.
• Constant interaction, customer/patient contact, and managing multiple concurrent tasks: Continuous, 6 to 8+ hours.