Zoo Director

Salary: $ – $ Annually

Location: Parks & Rec Zoo Boise, Boise,

Job Type: Full Time Regular

Job Number: 23
-07708

Department: Parks & Recreation

Opening Date: 08/21/2026

Closing Date: 9/21/2026 12:00 PM Mountain

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.

Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences, business management, or an equivalent field and at least five years of relevant leadership, animal biology, and business management experience in a zoo or aquarium of similar size.

This position works under administrative direction and is designated At-Will.

• 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. Through recruitment and development, increases board capacity to support capital projects and animal procurement. 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.
  
  Support 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. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position at any time.