Director of Field Conservation

Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance (DZCA) honors our animals, staff, and guests by conducting ourselves at the highest level of integrity through our Core Actions -- Inspire Awe:
Safety, Care, Connect, and by embracing our Core Values of:
Welcoming, Curious, United, Courageous, and Transformative in all that we do.

The Director of Field Conservation advances Denver Zoo’s mission and goals by providing strong leadership for the Field Conservation program in alignment with departmental and organizational strategy. This includes setting strategic direction, supervising Conservation Program Directors, and ensuring a consistent approach to project work and partnerships across all regional and international programs:
Great Plains, Rocky Mountains, Latin America, Africa, and Asia.

All candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application. DZCA is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Our team is made up of passionate and diverse professionals dedicated to providing excellent care for our animals while creating meaningful experiences for our guests. If you're excited to contribute your skills in a collaborative and innovative environment, Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance is the place for you!

• Provide strong leadership for all Field Conservation staff by motivating staff, encouraging professional growth, and fostering a collaborative learning environment.
• Ensure strategic personnel function and capacity to meet programmatic goals and drive impact across all US-based and international project work.
• Implement the DZCA Field Conservation strategy to achieve Field Conservation impact through Science, Community, and Action, and set program goals in alignment with organizational mission and strategy.
• Guide the creative vision across all five programs (Rocky Mountains, Great Plains, Latin America, Africa, Asia) that result in robust participatory partnerships and consistency in approach and priorities.
• Supervise Conservation Program Directors, fostering professional growth and aligning the scope of work and individual capacity.
• Oversee onboarding and training for all Field Conservation program personnel.
• Support the Senior Director of Wildlife Health & Conservation in growing inter-institutional relationships by providing regional and international Field Conservation subject matter expertise.
• Contribute to institutional strategic planning efforts regarding Field Conservation.

• Oversee the DZCA portfolio of regional and international Field Conservation projects, including work focus areas, locations, and partnerships, maximizing key opportunities to leverage DZCA as a zoo-based conservation organization.
• Ensure scientific integrity, inclusivity, and best conservation practices in all program activities.
• Provide guidance and direction to effectively scale and implement each Field Conservation program.
• Contributes scientific and technical expertise to augment work across programs and focus areas, supporting and engaging in field work as appropriate.
• Ensure overall regulatory compliance and oversight of safety protocols in collaboration with the Human Resources department and Director of Occupational Health and Safety.

• Foster strategic and productive external relationships, serving as a point of contact for key partnerships that span multiple Field Conservation programs (i.e., universities, government entities, and other NGOs).
• Lead Field Conservation staff in understanding and integrating organizational expertise and resources into Field Conservation projects.
• Contribute Field Conservation content and vision to exhibits, animal collection planning, and engagement on campus.
• Facilitate strong communication and collaboration on shared priorities between the Field Conservation team and all other departments in the zoo, as well as with external partners.
• Promote DZCA Field Conservation activities and impact through DZCA communication channels, professional meetings, and/or publications.
• Effectively represent DZCA in…