Conservation Manager - Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium/Northwest...

Job Details

Full-time

$109,024 a year

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Safety equipment provided
• Opportunities for advancement

Qualifications

• Organizational skills
• Computer skills
• Budgeting
• Employee evaluation

Position Information

Under the direction of the Director of ZEED (Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium/Northwest Trek Wildlife Park) the role develops, implements, and manages departmental initiatives to advance off-site/community experiences, improving access, and connection to, site-based experiences. Provide oversight of ZEED contributed programming and staff associated with broad, school based, community service initiatives. Under the direction of the ZEED (Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium/Northwest Trek Wildlife Park) Director, develops, implements, manages, and maintains departmental initiatives to advance ZEED strategic efforts related to conservation. Serves as the primary departmental liaison for external/off-site based initiatives with a focus on creating both awareness and promote conservation action that result in tangible, inspirational stories. Provides supervision of assigned conservation staff. Ensures the implementation of ZEED conservation planning resulting in measurable enhanced viability of biological populations within our care and in the wild. The role often serves as the primary liaison between the organization and conservation partners.

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES

• Manage planning efforts to identify, develop, and execute initiatives to engage the community in conservation and enhance branding of Metro Parks facilities as conservation institutions.
• Manage conservation staff; ensure and facilitate connection to conservation work and staff and staff expertise.
• Develop partnerships among regional governmental agencies, non-profit organizations, and other Metro Parks departments to serve common conservation goals; foster strong relationships with key institutions, individuals, and stakeholders to harness support.
• Oversee the coordination of conservation advocacy efforts ensuring alignment with other Metro Parks departments and external partners.
• Manage and implement a clear, and outcome based ZEED conservation plan, including regular assessment of defined metrics in collaboration with internal committees and staff.
• Facilitate conservation report/updates both internally and externally.
• Coordinate and/or support scientific projects involving primary focus areas and signature initiatives; ensure evidence-based conservation is conducted.
• Identify key partners/collaborators to augment both internal and external programs in support of ZEED's signature initiatives.
• Assist with or serve as primary liaison for ZEED collaboration with AZA conservation programs.
• Coordinate and/or lead local and community care and protection initiatives in strong collaboration with the ZEED Community Collaboration Manager and other ZEED staff.
• Engage in professional societies or regional networks to ensure appropriate and effective collaboration such as the Aquarium Conservation Partnership and Wildlife Trafficking Network.
• Work with support organizations and other partner agencies to source funding and investigate revenue opportunities to support conservation programs and activities both on and off-site.
• Supervise and evaluate the performance of assigned staff through effective utilization of the Employee Performance Evaluation Program; recruit, interview and select employees and recommend transfers, reassignment, termination, and disciplinary actions; plan, coordinate and arrange for appropriate employee training programs to provide for opportunity for advancement and to acquire necessary skills.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS: Professional, positive demeanor; Flexibility to adjust to dynamic work environment; Excellent interpersonal skills; Collaborative work style; Good ethics and integrity; Ability to work independently; Strong attention to detail; Analytical problem solving; Strong verbal and written communications skills.

KNOWLEDGE OF: Hands-on knowledge of and comfort with change management is essential; Principles of wildlife and conservation biology; Project management and organizational development strategies; Principles of JEADI best practices as pertains to conservation work within the context of communities; Primary conservation issues facing Northwest wildlife as well as species and ecosystems represented through PDZA and NW Trek exhibits; Advocacy processes in relation to legislative policy changes on behalf of wild life; District policies and procedures; Principles and practices of administration, training and staff development; Benefits of ZEED programs to the health, well-being, and sustainability of communities of focus; Effective written and verbal communications.

ABILITY TO: Prepare and administer assigned budgets; Interpret rules and regulations; Assess and evaluate situations effectively; Exert optimal effort in successfully completing tasks; Work a flexible schedule, which may include evenings, weekends, and holidays; Extract and record data and carry out calculations accurately; Manage time efficiently and effectively through scheduling and prioritizing; Work within and contribute to the effectiveness of a team, respecting differences; Display sensitivity, tact, and responsiveness in various situations and maintain a high level of confidentiality; Ability to listen, give and receive feedback in a productive and professional manner; Able to translate vision into planning and implementation; Excellent organizational skills with the ability to balance and prioritize multiple tasks and requests and meet deadlines in a professional manner; Respond to concerns with empathy and inclusivity; Respond appropriately to conflict; Work with others, and coach employees to develop their full potential; Provide helpful, behaviorally specific feedback to others; Engage team members in open and honest communication; Anticipate needs and challenges, take initiative, ask questions, and provide solutions to achieve organizational objectives.

ENVIRONMENT: Combination of office environment and outside work that may, as appropriate, include field work associated with projects in-situ; Driving a vehicle to conduct work.

PHYSICAL ABILITIES: Hearing and speaking to exchange information and make presentations; Ability to read and develop written and visual materials; monitor personnel and assigned operations and activities; Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard and standard office equipment; Safe operations of a motor vehicle.

HAZARDS: The role will include some regular work in field/remote locations; Potential interactions with dangerous animals.

METRO PARKS TACOMA IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation, disability or any other merit factor. Members of ethnic minorities, women, special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam-era, recently separated veterans, and other protected veterans, persons of disability and/or persons age 40 and over are encouraged to apply. MPT employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. MPT is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource at [email protected]. Employment is subject to a national background check. This position is an at-will position with no written or implied contractual agreement.