Zoo Director

About the Role

The City of Boise is seeking an accomplished, visionary executive to lead Zoo Boise into its next chapter. The Zoo Director will set strategic direction, elevate and empower a high-performing team, and foster a culture of trust, accountability, collaboration, and excellence. This position oversees City of Boise and Friends of Zoo Boise staff, partners with the Friends Board of Directors, and provides leadership for operations, financial stewardship, facilities, and long-range planning. The Director will advance Zoo Boise's mission and strategic priorities while ensuring alignment with AZA accreditation standards and federal animal care regulations. Zoo Boise is deeply committed to excellence in animal care, meaningful conservation, and education that inspires people to value and protect wildlife.

The ideal candidate is a strategic and inspiring leader with strong business acumen, expertise in zoo or aquarium operations, and a demonstrated ability to develop people, lead through change, build partnerships, and translate vision into results.

Responsibilities

• Supervises and manages all aspects of the organization.
• Leads animal care professionals, environmental education staff, donor relations teams, communications and marketing efforts, facilities planning and project execution, concession partners, and maintenance employees.
• Serves as Boise Parks and Recreation Superintendent of Zoo Boise and Executive Director of Friends of Zoo Boise.
• Manages all aspects of Zoo Boise/Friends of Zoo Boise businesses and organizational structures.
• As Executive Director of Friends of Zoo Boise, leads the Friends of Zoo Boise staff and board operations.
• Manages membership, grants, and major donor programs.
• Increases board capacity to support capital projects and animal procurement through recruitment and development.
• Leads marketing and fundraising efforts to meet projected organizational goals.
• Manages board budget and financial projections.
• Leads team offering unique recreational and educational experiences for youth and adults, including volunteer and event management.
• Supports global animal and environmental conservation projects in areas such as Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique, and seeks to expand the impact of Zoo Boise in support of species and environmental conservation.
• As a part of the Boise Parks and Recreation leadership team, leads the City of Boise staff, enhances citywide impact offering unique opportunities for animal experiences, engaging exhibits, global conservation projects, and well-maintained facilities.
• Ensures compliance with all applicable rules and regulations associated with accredited zoo operations.
• Builds budget and revenue projections to meet current and future needs of zoo facilities and operations.
• Ensures all risk and safety protocols and certifications are current and address the needs of zoo operations and programming.
• Preserves and fosters key partnerships with contractors, vendors, non-profit organizations, federal agencies, and the AZA.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in biological sciences, business management, or an equivalent field.
• Five years of experience in leadership, animal biology, and business management in a zoo or aquarium of similar size.

Knowledge and Abilities

• Application and interpretation of laws and regulations related to the operation of a zoo or aquarium.
• Municipal finance and budget management; fundraising best practices.
• Principles and practices of public relations, marketing, and non-profit management, including board management.
• Animal husbandry and construction of zoo exhibits.
• Facilities management and operating within the larger zoo community.
• Computer usage including related software.
• Plan, organize, and direct the activities of the city department division and non-profit organization.
• Develop and implement short- and long-range plans and programs to support the organization's mission, goals, and objectives.
• Provide leadership and communicate effectively in the English language at a level necessary for efficient job performance.
• Perform all essential functions as assigned by an authorized employee, supervisor, and/or manager with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Operate vehicles safely and maintain an acceptable driving record.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in business management or biological sciences.
• Eight years of proven leadership experience in an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited institution and/or five years of experience in non-profit management with proven project management and fundraising skills.

Licensing and Other Requirements

• Valid state-issued driver's license.
• Must pass City of Boise background check processes, including a criminal history check, reference checks, credit history check, driving record check, and education verification.
• Designated as safety-sensitive; subject to drug testing, including post-offer applicant testing, random testing, reasonable suspicion, and post-accident testing.
• Appointment contingent upon a negative pre-employment drug test.
• Required to qualify and maintain qualification standards to carry firearms.

Working Conditions

The physical effort characteristics and working environment described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Efforts

• Occasionally lifting/carrying up to 10 pounds and rarely up to 50 pounds.
• Occasionally pushing/pulling up to 10 pounds and rarely up to 35 pounds.
• Noise level is occasionally moderate and rarely loud.
• Sensory ability to talk, hear, smell, and touch.
• Close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception.
• Sit, stand, walk, run, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, and grasp.
• Hand/finger dexterity.

Working Environment

• Inside conditions, outdoor weather conditions, wet and humid conditions, areas of dust, odors, mist, and gases or other airborne matter.
• Drive a vehicle as part of this position.
• Use of firearms, dart rifles, working around dangerous drugs, and handling animals, including unpredictable and highly dangerous animals.
• Regularly works on weekends, evenings, and holidays.