SUMMARY
The Deputy Director (DD) is a key member of the Executive Team at Birmingham Zoo Inc. (BZI). The Executive Team consists of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and the DD. Working with the CEO and CFO, the DD assists in developing the strategic plan and goals to provide, vision, direction and innovation for BZI.
The DD is responsible for overseeing a broad scope of BZI’s business operations, including the management of operational, educational, and conservation programs. This includes the following departments, ensuring all aspects of care and regulatory compliance are met:
- Operations (Park Quality and Rides, Safety and Security)
- Maintenance and Landscaping
- Learning and Engagement (Learning, Interpretation &Engagement, Volunteers, and Staff Learning & DEAI)
- Living Collection and Animal Care
- Animal Health
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Animal Collection & Conservation:
- Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal standards.
- Participate in collection planning, concept planning, exhibit design, and animal wellbeing initiatives.
- Collaborate with the CEO and Conservation Manager to promote conservation initiatives.
- Ensure the Zoo operates and is maintained in compliance with AZA accreditation standards and USDA/OSHA.
- Learning & Engagement:
- Support the Learning & Engagement department, directing Learning (schools and camps), Interpretation and Engagement, Volunteers, and Staff Learning & DEAI initiatives.
- Ensure programs align with BZI’s mission and goals and promote a culture of continuous learning and inclusivity.
- Foster collaboration among staff and volunteers to enhance the zoo’s educational impact and community outreach.
- Finance:
- Define financial objectives in collaboration with the CEO and CFO.
- Develop and manage budgets and financial strategies for areas of responsibility and assists the CEO and CFO for Zoo-wide budget formulation and strategies.
- Safeguard BZI’s assets and financial resources.
- Operations:
- Monitor industry trends and forecast future business needs.
- Ensure efficient departmental structures and effective operations.
- Directs areas of assignment to meet attendance and revenue targets.
- Direct the maintenance and landscaping departments to maintain the facility’s appearance and functionality, ensuring timely preventative maintenance and quick responses to issues.
- Provides planning and oversight to projects within the Zoo. Prepares scope and budget and monitors outside contractors for completion of approved projects.
- Risk Management:
- Implement and monitor risk management policies, including safety audits and security protocols.
- Ensures that proper safety protocols are established at all levels of the organization with a focus on ‘people safety first’ followed by safety of the collection.
- Provides oversight and direction to the Safety Officer, maintaining records, providing training, and ensuring emergency drills are conducted and recorded per AZA standards
- Keeps up to date on state and federal safety requirements. Ensures all requirements are met.
- Directs and participates in the organization’s safety program Ensures recommended/approved preventive measures are implemented.
Additional Responsibilities:
- Actively engage with the community, to include elected officials, and civic organizations.
- Provide reports to the Board of Directors, as assigned, and act as the Zoo’s representative to the Board of Director’s in the absence of the CEO.
- Participate in fundraising activities through capital campaign cratino, interaction with potential donors and contribute to fundraising efforts.
- Delegate responsibilities to ensure smooth operations while maintaining accountability.
- Other duties as assigned.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
The DD directs and generally supervises all assigned employees in their performance of assigned duties and in the way they pursue their objectives and programs. Direct reports include:
- Director of Operations
- Director of Campus Management
- Director of Learning & Inclusion
- General Curator
- Director of Animal Health
SAFETY ANALYSIS
The DD position is impacted by hazardous exposures common to an office environment. However, due to frequent visits to various animal back areas, the DD can be exposed to all hazards common to the care and handling of dangerous animals.
Specific training and procedures will be provided, designed to maintain the safety of people as the highest priority of the Zoo followed by the safety of the animal collection.
The DD, as with any staff member of BZI, is required to be familiar with the Zoo’s overall safety policies as outlined in the staff handbook and animal department handbook as well as being responsible for reporting any injury immediately to the first aid department, Safety Manager, or Manager on Duty (MOD).
The DD will need to be familiar with radio protocols and all animal safety protocols inherent to accommodating any management tours or VIP visits.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by staff to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the DD should expect:
- Use of hands, fingers, tools or controls.
- Frequently required to stand; walk; sit; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, bend, crouch and talk or hear.
- Occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds.
- Periods of frequent walking for long distances.
- Exposure to wet surfaces.
- Depending on assignment, exposure to the elements can be expected.
