Manager of Operations

Job Description Position: Manager, Bronx Zoo, Operations Reports to: Assistant Director of Operations of Bronx Zoo Position Managed: Supervising Maintainers and Maintainers Location: Bronx Zoo Department: Operations Scope: Bronx Zoo Position Type: Full-time About Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS): WCS stands for wildlife and wild places. As the world’s premier wildlife conservation organization, WCS has a long track record of achieving innovative, impactful results at scale. We run field programs spanning 60 countries and the entire ocean. We build on a unique foundation: Our reach is global; we discover through best-in-class science; we protect through work on the ground with local and indigenous people; we inspire through our world-class zoos, aquarium, and education programs; and we leverage our resources through partnerships and powerful policy influence. Our more than 4,000 diverse, passionately committed team members in New York City and around the world work collectively to achieve our conservation mission. Position Summary: The Manager, Bronx Zoo, Operations plays a key role in ensuring the Bronx Zoo’s facilities, infrastructure, exhibits, and public spaces are maintained safely, reliably, and to a high standard. This position provides day-to-day leadership and direction to the Operations Department, including operations department staff and outside contractors performing maintenance, repair, construction, and preventive maintenance activities across the Bronx Zoo campus. Working in a complex and highly specialized environment, the Manager coordinates maintenance and repair activities involving animal exhibits and holding areas, buildings, offices, classrooms, public pathways, grounds, equipment, and critical building systems. The role serves as an important link between Operations and departments throughout the Zoo, establishing priorities, coordinating resources, and ensuring work is completed safely, efficiently, and with minimal disruption to animal care, staff, and zoo guests. The successful candidate will bring strong facilities and project management experience, hands-on knowledge of building systems and construction, and the ability to lead skilled trades in diagnosing and resolving a wide range of mechanical, structural, and operational challenges. Major Responsibilities: The individual’s primary responsibilities are to lead the multi-trade in-house shops, coordinate work between requesting departments and Operations trades, and supervise contracted specialty work performed by outside contractors. The ability to diagnose and resolve varied mechanical, structural and operational issues is essential. Direct the Operations Department’s function throughout the Bronx Zoo in performing routine maintenance and repairs, including construction, demolition, replacement, alteration, repair, modification and maintenance of facilities, grounds, building systems, exhibits and equipment. Coordinate work between requesting departments and Operations trades, including Electrical, Plumbing, Carpentry and Machine Shop Maintainers. Establish priorities, coordinate access, scheduling, and communicate work status and operational impacts. Coordinate required inspection, testing, preventive maintenance and repairs for critical systems, including fire alarm systems, sprinkler systems, emergency generators and automatic transfer switches. Maintain schedules and records, coordinate vendor and staff access throughout campus buildings, gather service reports, and track identified deficiencies through completion. Assist with the development and implementation of a comprehensive preventive maintenance program within the department’s maintenance management software system, including asset records, PM schedules, recurring work orders, service histories, documentation and completion tracking. Assure that Operations Department and staff operate consistently and efficiently in maintaining compliance with WCS policies and procedures and in accordance with DC-37 union collective bargaining agreement. Define and develop scopes of work for Capital Projects and provide project management by overseeing day-to-day contractor activities, setting quality and performance standards, and providing updates to stakeholders. Maintain established standards of safety for WCS staff and zoo guests, coordinate with WCS Risk Management and Environmental Compliance as needed regarding OSHA, safety training and environmental requirements. Communicate and coordinate activities with departments throughout the Bronx Zoo and other WCS facilities. Work with Facilities and Operations leadership to ensure communication and efficiencies among O&M departments in other WCS parks is optimized. Support the recruitment and onboarding of Operations staff as needed. Provide necessary written and verbal reports, updates and analysis in a timely manner to the Assistant Director of Operations and the Executive Director of Facilities as requested. Qualification Requirements Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience performing and managing facilities maintenance, repair, and construction activities, with demonstrated knowledge of general construction, building systems, and applicable workplace and construction safety requirements. At least 5 years of project management or comparable leadership experience managing skilled trades, facilities operations, construction activities, or general contracting work. Demonstrated ability to assess and troubleshoot mechanical, plumbing structural, facilities, and operational issues and coordinate appropriate solutions. Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, contractors, work orders, and projects within a large, active campus environment. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with skilled trades, contractors, department leaders, employees, and other internal and external stakeholders. Experience working with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) and preventive maintenance programs strongly preferred. Previous experience supervising or managing employees represented by a collective bargaining agreement preferred. Project management certification or related technical or professional education preferred. Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license. Must possess an FDNY Certificate of Fitness S-95, or obtain the certification within 12 months of hire, and maintain the certification throughout employment as required. Physical Demands: This position requires frequent use of standard office equipment and regular movement, including sitting, standing, walking, driving, and lifting or carrying up to 20 pounds, lifting of up to 50 pounds, overhead reaching, fine motor tasks, and navigation of uneven terrain may be required. Employees must possess the physical mobility and dexterity necessary to perform the essential functions of the position. Work Environment: This position is performed primarily in indoor and outdoor settings and requires frequent collaboration with others, as well as independent work. The role includes availability for evening, weekend, and on-call responsibilities, with occasional exposure to elevated noise levels and emergency response situations. Employees must be able to work outdoors in varying weather conditions as needed. Equal Employment Opportunity Disclaimer: WCS is an equal opportunity employer, and the organization complies with all employment and labor laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination in hiring and ensures that candidates from all backgrounds are fairly and consistently considered during the recruitment process. We are dedicated to hiring and engaging in a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and look for future team members who share that same value. The organization provides equal employment opportunities for all qualified candidates. The organization does not discriminate for employment based on gender, race/ethnicity, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, genetic information or any other covered status or characteristic protected by applicable laws and regulations. It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that we do not tolerate discrimination or harassment based upon a person’s membership in one of these protected categories in areas such as recruitment, selection, job assignment, supervision, training, promotions, job grading, transfers, termination, compensation, benefits, educational opportunities, WCS sponsored recreational activities and facilities. The organization complies with all Federal, State, and NYC laws and WCS’s employment policies. Note that the salary offer will reflect the selected candidate’s individual experiences, skills and qualifications, internal equity, work location and country of work. Salary Range 105,000 - 115,000