Associate Director, Office of Public Safety

Overview

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is one of the oldest and best zoos in the nation. It features over 400 species of animals and 3,000 plant species and is known for its leadership in endangered species reproduction, education collaboratives, and green practices. The Zoo’s Office of Public Safety is responsible for the safety and security of visitors, staff, animals, and assets.

We are seeking a seasoned and creative professional to join our agency as Associate Director, Office of Public Safety
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Exercising wide latitude in discretionary decision making and with minimal supervision, the successful candidate will be a solutions‑oriented, collaborative leader with direct supervisory and management experience. The Associate Director will oversee daily operations and provide leadership and support during emergencies. This role is suited for candidates who thrive in dynamic settings, can manage shifting priorities, work in ambiguity, and deliver high‑quality results under time‑sensitive conditions.

Ideal candidates seek a challenging, growth‑oriented position with ongoing operational and strategic responsibilities.

Position Summary: This is a salaried, exempt, full‑time position that reports to the Director, Office of Public Safety. This position ensures adherence by public safety supervisors and officers to public safety policies and manages all aspects of patrol operations for the safety, protection, and safeguarding of Zoo employees, visitors, and assets. The incumbent will collaborate with the director to review, devise, and evolve security strategies;

manage a team with 6 direct reports and a variable number of indirect reports; assist with annual budget formulation; and perform other duties as assigned. The successful candidate will demonstrate an effective leadership style that embodies the Zoo’s Core Values.

Schedule: 40 hours per week

• Supervise and manage the day-to-day operations of the Office of Public Safety.
• Provide guidance and oversight for all public safety supervisors and officers and perform those duties if necessary.
• Participate in personnel processes for full-staff and lead in the selection and hiring of part-time staff. This includes hiring, training, coaching, and supervision of said staff.
• Active member of the Zoo’s ACERT (Animal Containment Emergency Response Team) program.
• Investigate and report all noted incidents, hazards, and accidents.
• Oversee scheduling of public safety coverage for daily operations and all special events, in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
• Observe patterns in guest activity, first aid incidents, and apply information to improve security response/deployment.
• Manage video surveillance, card access control, and key control systems.
• Understand and observe regulatory criteria under USDA and AZA physical perimeter standards.
• Assist with follow-up investigations of previously reported Zoo incidents.
• Participate in training programs, attend industry conferences, and complete special assignments as needed.
• Assist the director in building internal stakeholder and community relationships.
• Attend regular meetings with internal and external stakeholders to report on security activities and address concerns; formulate strategies to resolve problems.
• Collaborate with internal department partners to resolve common issues.
• Demonstrate regular, reliable, and punctual attendance.
• Maintain First Aid, CPR, & AED certification.
• Assume the duties and responsibilities of the director in their absence.
• Other duties as assigned.

Equivalent combinations of training, education, and experience that provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position will be considered.

Education & Experience:

• Associate’s degree or at least 30 college credits required; bachelor’s degree preferred in any discipline.
• Prior direct supervisory/people management experience (not process management) of at least five (5) years.
• Ability to legally purchase, receive, and handle firearms and is not a prohibited person as outlined in 18 U.S.C. 922(g) is required.
• Previous experience in a physical…