Job Details
Assistant Department Director-Zoo Animal Care & Operations
2025-10-23 BREC, LA Baton Rouge,LA
Description:
Functions and Duties
Essential Functions and Duties:
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. He or she will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other duties as requested by his or her supervisor.
Supplemental Information
Full-time position; Generally, 8 hours per day, 5 days per week; lunch break daily; compensatory time as required. Some evening and weekend work is required.
Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. If you do not complete each section of this application (i.e. work experience, education, or etc.) to demonstrate that you meet the eligibility and minimum qualification requirements described in this announcement, your application will be deemed incomplete and you will be ineligible for further consideration for this vacancy.
An offer of employment is contingent on passing a pre-employment criminal background check, Motor Vehicle Records check, drug screen and physical.
2025 FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
HEALTH INSURANCE: Comprehensive medical benefits including HMO, PPO, and Blue Saver (Qualified High Deductible High Health Plan) and options are provided through Louisiana Blue. Coverage is effective the first of the month, following two months of employment, a (2 month waiting period). Employee cost per month for HMO: $175.43 - employee only; $597.45 - employee & spouse or employee & dependent children; $962.52 - family. Employee cost per month for PPO: $375.23 - employee only; $975.50 - employee & spouse or employee & dependent children; $1,492.70 - family. Employee cost per month for Blue Saver: $39.08 - employee only; $162.68 - employee & spouse or employee & dependent children; $290.49 - family.
LIFE INSURANCE: All full-time employees are insured under a Group Term-Life Insurance policy through Equitable Life Insurance Company a subsidiary of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana. Coverage is subject to decrease at age 65 and 70. There is no cost to the employee except for salaries more than $50,000 which are subject to the imputed income clause under the IRS regulations. Coverage is effective immediately.
RETIREMENT SYSTEM: BREC contributions to the City-Parish Employees' Retirement System for each employee amount to 37.41% of salary. Employees contribute at the rate of 9.5%. Retirement contributions are tax deferred. Personal contributions are kept on account and refunded if employees leave BREC before their retirement. Additional benefit opportunities are available after 25 years through the DROP program. BREC also offers a Supplemental Retirement DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN through payroll deduction.
HOLIDAYS: BREC employees receive twelve (12) paid holidays per year.
SICK LEAVE: BREC employees accumulate sick leave at the rate of 100 hours per year the first five years they are employed; accrual of hours will increase based on the number of years of service, thereafter, up to 192 hours for 15 or more years. Employee is eligible to utilize leave after 30 days of continuous employment.
ANNUAL LEAVE: BREC employees earn annual leave at the rate of 100 hours per year the first five years they are employed; accrual of hours will increased based on the number of years of service, thereafter, up to 192 hours for 15 or more years. Employee is eligible to utilize leave after 90 days of continuous employment.
FULL-TIME STATUS: Upon completion of a six-month probationary periods and approval of supervisor, full-time status will be achieved.
EMPLOYEE DISCOUNTS: BREC full-time employees can take advantage of a generous discount. Some restrictions may apply. See the discount policy for more details.
EAP: BREC's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is administered by Lucet. They EAP helps employees and their family members resolve personal or work-related problems.
CREDIT UNION: BREC employees are eligible to join the City Federal Credit Union and/or Pelican State Credit Union and enlist in payroll deduction plan. Direct deposit to the Credit Union is also available.
FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS: BREC is a qualifying employer for public service loan forgiveness. Employees who have Federal Direct Loans and have made 120 payments on the Federal Direct Loans (after October 1, 2007) may be eligible for the remaining loan balance to be forgiven.
LA START: This 529 Qualified Tuition savings plan may be open on behalf of a named Beneficiary by anyone, including legal entities, provided that the Account Owner or the Beneficiary is a resident of Louisiana. Account Owners may save at their own pace, in amounts they can afford.
FSA: BREC offers an FSA that allows employees to contribute a portion of their regular earnings before taxes. Distributions from the account must be used to reimburse the employee for qualified expenses related to medical and dental services.
SUPPLEMENT BENEFITS: BREC offers voluntary benefits through AFLAC or Colonial Life. Those benefits include accident insurance, critical care, life, LTD and STD.
BREC reserves the right to at any time and from time to time to modify or amend, in whole or in part, any or all of the provisions of the benefit package.
*Commissioned Approved Benefits Effective January 1, 2025*
01
Do you have a valid Louisiana driver's license?
02
Do you have a Bachelor's degree from an accredited 4-year college or university in Zoology, Biology, Wildlife Management or closely related field?
03
What experience do you have in research and conservation programs? Please explain
04
Do you have experience in facility inspections to ensure proper operations?
05
Do you possess at least Seven (7) years progressive experience in a related field with at least 5 years as animal curator/supervisor. ? If so, please explain below.
Required Question
Salary : $65,707.20 - $105,144.00 Annually
Location : Baton Rouge, LA
Job Type: Executive
Job Number: ADDZAC2025
Department: Zoo
Division: Zoo
Opening Date: 09/05/2025
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Exempt
General Summary
The Zoo's Assistant Director of Operations serves as the senior manager for the institution's total collection of animals and zoo facilities. This role oversees curators and other supervisory staff regarding planning and care of the collection; including nutrition, health care and well-being; acquisitions, disposition, breeding and registry. Also, this role oversees the buildings and grounds maintenance program, as well as maintenance of enclosures. It is the responsibility of this role to regularly evaluate and facilitate improved operations in assigned areas to ensure the effective and efficient support of the institution's strategic plan and annual operating plan and budget. Serves in the capacity of Director during Zoo Director's absence.
Requirements and Job Specifications
Education Required: Graduation from an accredited 4-year college or university.
Preferred: Master's degree from an accredited college or university
Area of Study (Major) Required: Zoology, Wildlife Management, or related field
Preferred: Zoology, Wildlife Management, or related field
Certification(s) Required: Professional membership to AZA (Association of Zoos &
Association)
Preferred: Completion of the Executive leadership development program *ELDP
License(s) Required:Valid Louisiana driver's license. Must be able to obtain a LA driver's license within 60 days of hire.
Years Relevant Work Experience: Seven years progressive experience in directly related field with 5 years' experience as animal curator/supervisor.
Preferred: 10 or more years related experience.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge of animal welfare and the underlying foundation on which all standards and practices are premised and developed
- Knowledge of the AZA Accreditation process
- Knowledge of animal management, diets, ecology, restraining & reporting procedures
- Ability to solve animal care and management issues
- General knowledge of & ability to effectively supervise staff & various jobs performed at zoo, including professional, skilled & semi-skilled staff
- Strong interpersonal skills & positive presentation skills to work with public & staff. Basic math & accounting skills
- Microsoft Office skills and the ability to become familiar with BREC and Zoo specific programs and software
- Strong organizational, project management & problem-solving skills
- Ability to quickly learn BREC policies and procedures and Programs
- Ability to motivate staff and train on technical information
- Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
- Ability to operate a BREC Vehicle to perform essential functions of the job.
- Ability to adjust to changing work demands, procedures, technology and or priorities
- Ability to establish and maintain excellent working relationships with Department Heads, Management, coworkers, employees, and general public
- Ability to read and interpret blueprints and sketches
- Hire, fire, train, discipline and evaluate the performance of assigned personnel
- Must have a positive attitude with the willingness and desire to learn new skills
Functions and Duties
Essential Functions and Duties:
- Leads all components of the AZA Accreditation, including periodic zoo inspections to ensure continued compliance with AZA standards.
- Serves as the lead for the animal welfare assessment program which includes identifying and evaluating welfare/wellness impacts of significant life events or changes in the animal's environment.
- Directs research and conservation programs
- Develops and maintains a professional and positive animal management program
- Coordinates Species Survival Plans and all other breeding research programs
- Initiates viable breeding programs for selected species
- Collaborate with other departments and act as a liaison between animal care staff and administration
- Oversee animal health and welfare as well as daily operation of the Zoo
- Coordinate and manage all animal acquisitions, dispositions, permits and appropriate records/documentation
- Researches and publishes articles in scientific and popular publications
- Promotes the benefits and activities of the Zoo in its efforts of recreation, education, and conservation
- Conduct facility inspections along with tours to ensure proper operations
- Attends BREC Commission, Advisory Committees meetings as well as Professional Conferences as representative of the department
- Assists in budget preparation, expense monitoring, long range planning and budgeting activities
- Manages staffing including hiring, training, supervising, scheduling and disciplinary actions.
- Recommend changes to procedures when needed
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. He or she will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other duties as requested by his or her supervisor.
Supplemental Information
Full-time position; Generally, 8 hours per day, 5 days per week; lunch break daily; compensatory time as required. Some evening and weekend work is required.
Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. If you do not complete each section of this application (i.e. work experience, education, or etc.) to demonstrate that you meet the eligibility and minimum qualification requirements described in this announcement, your application will be deemed incomplete and you will be ineligible for further consideration for this vacancy.
An offer of employment is contingent on passing a pre-employment criminal background check, Motor Vehicle Records check, drug screen and physical.
2025 FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
HEALTH INSURANCE: Comprehensive medical benefits including HMO, PPO, and Blue Saver (Qualified High Deductible High Health Plan) and options are provided through Louisiana Blue. Coverage is effective the first of the month, following two months of employment, a (2 month waiting period). Employee cost per month for HMO: $175.43 - employee only; $597.45 - employee & spouse or employee & dependent children; $962.52 - family. Employee cost per month for PPO: $375.23 - employee only; $975.50 - employee & spouse or employee & dependent children; $1,492.70 - family. Employee cost per month for Blue Saver: $39.08 - employee only; $162.68 - employee & spouse or employee & dependent children; $290.49 - family.
LIFE INSURANCE: All full-time employees are insured under a Group Term-Life Insurance policy through Equitable Life Insurance Company a subsidiary of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana. Coverage is subject to decrease at age 65 and 70. There is no cost to the employee except for salaries more than $50,000 which are subject to the imputed income clause under the IRS regulations. Coverage is effective immediately.
RETIREMENT SYSTEM: BREC contributions to the City-Parish Employees' Retirement System for each employee amount to 37.41% of salary. Employees contribute at the rate of 9.5%. Retirement contributions are tax deferred. Personal contributions are kept on account and refunded if employees leave BREC before their retirement. Additional benefit opportunities are available after 25 years through the DROP program. BREC also offers a Supplemental Retirement DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN through payroll deduction.
HOLIDAYS: BREC employees receive twelve (12) paid holidays per year.
SICK LEAVE: BREC employees accumulate sick leave at the rate of 100 hours per year the first five years they are employed; accrual of hours will increase based on the number of years of service, thereafter, up to 192 hours for 15 or more years. Employee is eligible to utilize leave after 30 days of continuous employment.
ANNUAL LEAVE: BREC employees earn annual leave at the rate of 100 hours per year the first five years they are employed; accrual of hours will increased based on the number of years of service, thereafter, up to 192 hours for 15 or more years. Employee is eligible to utilize leave after 90 days of continuous employment.
FULL-TIME STATUS: Upon completion of a six-month probationary periods and approval of supervisor, full-time status will be achieved.
EMPLOYEE DISCOUNTS: BREC full-time employees can take advantage of a generous discount. Some restrictions may apply. See the discount policy for more details.
EAP: BREC's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is administered by Lucet. They EAP helps employees and their family members resolve personal or work-related problems.
CREDIT UNION: BREC employees are eligible to join the City Federal Credit Union and/or Pelican State Credit Union and enlist in payroll deduction plan. Direct deposit to the Credit Union is also available.
FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS: BREC is a qualifying employer for public service loan forgiveness. Employees who have Federal Direct Loans and have made 120 payments on the Federal Direct Loans (after October 1, 2007) may be eligible for the remaining loan balance to be forgiven.
LA START: This 529 Qualified Tuition savings plan may be open on behalf of a named Beneficiary by anyone, including legal entities, provided that the Account Owner or the Beneficiary is a resident of Louisiana. Account Owners may save at their own pace, in amounts they can afford.
FSA: BREC offers an FSA that allows employees to contribute a portion of their regular earnings before taxes. Distributions from the account must be used to reimburse the employee for qualified expenses related to medical and dental services.
SUPPLEMENT BENEFITS: BREC offers voluntary benefits through AFLAC or Colonial Life. Those benefits include accident insurance, critical care, life, LTD and STD.
BREC reserves the right to at any time and from time to time to modify or amend, in whole or in part, any or all of the provisions of the benefit package.
*Commissioned Approved Benefits Effective January 1, 2025*
01
Do you have a valid Louisiana driver's license?
- Yes
- No
02
Do you have a Bachelor's degree from an accredited 4-year college or university in Zoology, Biology, Wildlife Management or closely related field?
- Yes
- No
03
What experience do you have in research and conservation programs? Please explain
04
Do you have experience in facility inspections to ensure proper operations?
- Yes
- No
05
Do you possess at least Seven (7) years progressive experience in a related field with at least 5 years as animal curator/supervisor. ? If so, please explain below.
Required Question