Animal Welfare & Research Program Manager

Animal Welfare & Research Program Manager About the Position

The Animal Welfare & Research Program Manager is an hourly, nonexempt position which plays a vital role on our Animal Welfare and Research (AWR) department within the Animal Care, Conservation and Research (ACCR). This role focuses on managing daily operations, program execution, and performance across multiple lab and field teams.

The Program Manager serves as a coordinator and subject-matter specialist for all assigned programs, staff, and animals under AWR’s care. They develop and implement wildlife rescue, conservation recovery, welfare, and research activities. This position works closely with external partners including state and government agencies to coordinate short‑to‑moderate‑term program goals, and internally with staff, volunteers, and other Zoo departments.

Manager:

Year‑Round

Full‑Time

$32 - $37/hour

Oakland Zoo offers a comprehensive benefits package, including Health insurance, Dental insurance, Vision insurance, Flexible spending account, Retirement plan, Paid time off, Employee Assistance Program, and A Family Zoo Membership.

Pay Rate: To maintain internal equity, we have identified the pay range for this position at the Oakland Zoo to be between $32 - $37 per hour
. An offer within this range will be determined by the experience and qualifications of a candidate and will be our best and final compensation offer.

• Leads and supervises the daily and routine needs of AWR rescue, conservation/recovery, welfare, and other research programs, dailyhusbandryand care of theex situ wildlife, staff and volunteers, and facilities within AWR, including the Biodiversity Center.
• Plan, organize, prioritize, and manage:
  • research as directed by Director of AWR and in coordination with Sections in ACCR and Zoo departments, welfare and research partners, governmental agencies, universities, and students
  • multiple wildlife recovery programs onsite and in the field, developing and maintaining permitting, protocol, and regulatory compliance; biosecurity; lab and field safety; and coordinating scheduling, strategy, and logistics for collections, reintroductions, and other lab and field activities with state and federal agencies and partners
  • regional and national rescue animal placement in coordination with Wildlife Confiscations Network and state and federal agencies, including developing and managing case‑related database(s), maintaining professional relationships with law enforcement, litigators, animal facilities, and other partners, and setting short‑to moderate‑term program goals with AZA‑WCN
  • field programs, including coordination of staff and volunteer scheduling and performance, transportation, supplies and other resources, safety, and other logistics
• Develop policy and protocol for new or emerging strategic opportunities in wildlife rescue and recovery, informing resource needs, logistics, and capacity
• Maintain excellent records and inventories for the Biodiversity Building and all research, recovery and rescue programs. This includes budget and staff tracking, supply management, animal records, and permitting.
• Facilitate maintenance, grounds, vehicle, and other work orders for the Biodiversity Center and associated program facilities and assets
• Implement AWR/ACCR priorities as well as demonstrate the initiative and expertise to regularly find ways to make improvements in administrative processes, management, and small and large facilities projects
• Serves as liaison between the Zoo and agencies, universities, and other AWR program partners to ensure permit, deliverables, and expectations are being met
• Serves as a resource to AWR/ACCR, Zoo, and partners on all aspects of natural history, captive and recovery management, and welfare of the species under their care

• Participate indirect program activities, as needed
• Assists Director of AWR in:
  • writing research and permit reports and grants
  • department in strategic program planning, setting department strategy, developing and tracking budget, and staff and community engagement
  • long‑range campus planning as it related to AWR, conservation needs, and industry trends
• Take the lead in…