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!
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Leadership and Strategic Direction
- 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.
Field Conservation Impact and Oversight
- 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.
Internal and External Engagement
- 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 professional networks and venues, elevating the organization’s profile as a zoo-based conservation organization.
- Participate in administrative roles Zoo-wide, such as various committees, task forces, and initiatives.
Finance
- Develop, implement, and oversee the Field Conservation operating budget across all programs.
- Collaborate with the Philanthropy team and the Senior Director of Wildlife Health & Conservation for donor engagement efforts, providing subject matter expertise across all Field Conservation programs.
- Work closely with the Foundations Partnership Manager and Conservation Program Directors to pursue grant funding in support of program work.
Other Responsibilities and Duties
- Other assistance, as designated by the Senior Director of Wildlife Health & Conservation, to support the overall goals of the department and organization. DZCA retains the right to add or change duties and/or responsibilities at any time.
- Budgetary/Fiscal Responsibilities: Responsible for developing and monitoring the overall Field Conservation Budget with support from each Conservation Program Director to organize each program budget. Acts as a good steward of DZCA’s resources.
- Supervisory Responsibilities: This position directly supervises others.
- Responsibility for Confidentiality: The nature of this position requires safeguarding against the release of confidential and proprietary information of DZCA.
- Contact with Others: This position will interact with managers at all levels and staff members across the organization, in addition to members of external organizations and the public. This position has a high level of contact with researchers, universities, NGOs, local communities, and national and local governments.
Technical / Professional Requirements & Qualifications
- Graduate degree (MS/PhD) in conservation science or related field (biology, zoology, ecology, environmental science, wildlife management, etc) required, or any equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
- Requires minimum 7years’ experience in field conservation with demonstrated people leadership experience, demonstrating strong team management and effective interdepartmental/interorganizational collaboration.
- Requires ability to turn high-level organizational strategy and feedback into tangible programmatic outcomes.
- Experience in a zoo-based conservation organization, with different cultures and localities, including indigenous communities, and interacting with governmental agencies and/or NGO leadership is strongly preferred, or any equivalent combination of experience, lived experience, and/or special skills.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Must be a team leader and program developer who is comfortable developing strategic partnerships and working with a broad cross-section of people of different cultures in direct and matrixed relationships to drive programs to meet strategic goals.
- Expertise in both US-based and international conservation project management, strategic thinking, and achieving conservation success.
- Critical thinker with superior strategic and organizational skills, written and oral communication skills, attention to detail, and ability to prioritize work and tasks in a dynamic environment.
- Ability to communicate conservation goals concisely and effectively to lay and expert audiences and to represent DZCA in a professional and culturally sensitive manner.
- Expertise in scientific research, teaching, conducting public outreach programs, and leading groups and community members in the field.
- Experience in setting, managing, and adhering to large and complex budgets.
- Experience with formal evaluation of conservation impacts (such as Conservation Standards or similar planning tools), adaptive management, and project monitoring.
- Ability to conduct fieldwork in remote locations and work irregular hours under physically demanding conditions.
- Committed to forward-thinking justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts.
- History of fundraising success through grants and/or individual donors preferred.
- Proven computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite, and possibly statistical or GIS software, are necessary.
- Requires exemplary collaboration and adaptability to produce and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, multi-task, and changing environment, and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Must have superior negotiation skills and the ability to handle sensitive information with diplomacy.
- Must be a recognized communicator and considered to be a developer, coach, and mentor. Experience developing, prioritizing, and executing strategic goals and deliverables preferred.
- Must have proficient skills in managing large and complex teams and/or programs.
Position Conditions
- To support our operations, candidates must be at least 21 years of age with a valid driver's license and a clean driving record.
- Ability to pass a background check and a pre-employment drug and alcohol screen.
- Mobility is essential for accessing diverse work environments and performing physically varied tasks across different terrains and settings.
- Schedule Availability: Schedule Availability: Monday-Friday, with the ability to work occasional irregular hours, including travel.
- Work Location: On campus with variable travel to local and international field sites.
Compensation
Range for this position is $8605-$10,971 monthly.
A Truly Wild Workplace with Competitive Benefits
Join our team and enjoy a wide variety of great benefits, including:
- Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage
- Generous paid time off: vacation, sick leave, personal days, and holidays
- A Family-Plus DZCA Membership with discounted tickets to special events
- Concession and retail discounts, plus free parking
- And so much more!
Application Process and Timelines
Application Deadline: December 31, 2025. Review of applications will begin immediately. DZCA reserves the right to close the position before this date.
Denver Zoo is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected status or any other characteristic protected by law.
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