The Omaha Zoological Society (OZS) is the private nonprofit organization overseeing Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium (OHDZA) and the Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park. Under the single mission to bring people closer to animals, nature and each other so that together we can shape a better future for all life, applied, science-based conservation efforts are essential to deliver on its mission.  The Director of Reproductive Sciences and Conservation Genetics is a key position within our team, responsible for the overall direction, implementation and refinement of applied scientific advancement programs spanning both campuses.

 

This position is based in the Grewcock Center for Conservation Research at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, in Omaha, Nebraska. The Zoo is home to nearly 40,000 animals representing over 1,000 different species. This position oversees scientific programming and manages a team of reproductive and genetic researchers. The reproductive science program currently manages and operates an active endocrinology lab and has access to additional laboratory spaces for reproductive sample management as well as storage (liquid nitrogen and freezer space). The genetics program houses laboratory spaces with equipment capacity for molecular genetic analysis, advanced computational infrastructure, and clinical diagnostic testing. Biobanking efforts are a key function of OZS scientific endeavors under both the reproductive and conservation genetics.

 

The Director of Reproductive Sciences and Conservation Genetics is expected to lead and refine the direction of OZS’s scientists to maintain a leadership role within zoo-based applied conservation and position the organization for impact. The ideal candidate must have demonstrable academic expertise at the intersection of reproductive sciences, genetics, and related biotechnology fields, and must embrace a multi-disciplinary approach to solving conservation challenges around species conservation and recovery efforts, sustainability of zoo-based populations, and species biodiversity. The leader must demonstrate expertise in securing and managing grants and ability to manage departmental budgets and operations.

This is an exciting opportunity to join Twycross Zoo’s Conservation Programmes team to play a leading role in the development and delivery of UK native species conservation projects. This role will coordinate a range of projects combining ex situ conservation breeding with in situ conservation and monitoring. 

 

Initial priorities include developing and delivering ex situ conservation breeding programmes for native invertebrates such as glow-worms and Kentish glory moths, as well as coordinating and supporting habitat management work with field partners.

 

Key Objectives:

·         Coordinate and deliver Twycross Zoo’s UK-based species-conservation initiatives (e.g. ex situ breeding of glow-worms; reintroduction of the Kentish glory moth), achieving measurable conservation outcomes. 

·         Oversee conservation breeding of key native species (initially glow-worms and Kentish glory moths) and develop practical evidence-based husbandry best practice.

·         Collaborate with internal teams, external stakeholders, and academic experts to achieve long-term conservation impact.

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Deadline: November 30

Bristol Zoological Society, the conservation and education charity that runs and operates Bristol Zoo Project (previously Wild Place Project), higher education programmes and conservation projects across the world, is recruiting a Lecturer. This is an exciting opportunity to join the Field Conservation & Science team.

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Main Responsibilities:

- HE teaching and supervision: the successful applicant will lead modules (undergraduate and/or masters level) and supervise and mark research projects at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.

- Manage animal behaviour and welfare projects within Bristol Zoological Society’s Animal Behaviour and Welfare Programme, in collaboration with the Animal Behaviour and Welfare Programme Manager.

- There may be occasions when the post holder is requested to work in other Society locations or carry out other duties considered reasonable by the Society or its representatives.

 

Your role will be to deliver excellent higher education programmes and key aspects of our animal behaviour and welfare work, and you will be crucial in helping us complete our mission of Saving Wildlife Together. We are looking for a dynamic and experienced individual to join our team with broad academic knowledge, experience and/or understanding of applied animal welfare and behaviour research. Experience and/or understanding of the application of relevant quantitative research methods and project management is required. We are particularly interested in applicants with demonstrable experience in animal husbandry or welfare science, along with research experience linked to assessing/improving welfare or proactively ensuring high welfare standards. If you have experience in these areas, particularly in ectotherms, we would be very interested in hearing from you.

Please review the Job Description/Person Specification in detail for more information about the role in general. If you have any questions about the role, please email our People team.

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Deadline: November 13

Audubon Nature Institute is seeking a Wildlife Conservation Field Technician to assist with a growing portfolio of field conservation programs based out of Audubon Zoo. This position will support work with population recovery of Dusky Gopher Frogs, monitoring of urban wildlife, and other field conservation projects.  

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Approximately 75% of the work for this position will be focused on population recovery of federally-endangered Dusky Gopher Frogs in Louisiana– where they have been extirpated for more than 60 years.  The Wildlife Conservation Field Technician will be responsible for egg mass surveys in breeding ponds in southern Mississippi, large-scale propagation of Dusky Gopher Frogs through the tadpole stage to metamorphosis (based at a conservation center in New Orleans), release of post-metamorphic frogs at restored habitats Louisiana, and post-release monitoring in Louisiana.  Additional responsibilities within the duties of this position will include urban wildlife monitoring through the Greater New Orleans (using motion-activated camera traps, and identification of images), mentoring undergraduate students and collaborating with graduate students, organizing volunteer schedules, and public-facing outreach. Occasional fieldwork with additional taxa (invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals) will be likely. 

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Applicants must have access to a personal vehicle to complete the duties of this position, though mileage will be reimbursed for travel among field sites. This position encompasses a variety of tasks, both in the field and in an office setting. Due to the unpredictable nature of field conservation work, occasional long hours, weekends and holiday shifts may be required.  

The Conservation Policy Manager will serve as a lead for policy and advocacy engagement at local, state, federal, and international levels. This role will track policy, legislative, and regulatory developments, engage directly with elected officials, facilitate media engagement, and support call-to-action campaigns for the Aquarium’s audiences. Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential to effectively share information, build relationships, and foster collaboration among Aquarium staff and external partners. As the Aquarium’s conservation policy portfolio continues to expand, the responsibilities of this position will evolve to meet emerging priorities and opportunities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Monitor and analyze proposed state, federal, and international policy, legislation and regulation for impact to Aquarium and propose position and/or response, including on appropriations and natural resource, environmental and biodiversity.
- Communicate conservation policy positions with a variety audiences, both internal and external, and from one-to-one meetings to larger audience presentations, including media on occasion. 
- Lead the tracking of the Aquarium’s policy portfolio at multiple levels of government. 
- Write, design, and edit correspondence, reports, and various conservation documents, including but not limited to fact sheets, comment letters, and action alerts. 
- Collaborate with the Marketing department including social media and web teams for advocacy campaigns reaching Aquarium audiences, and the press relations team for earned media opportunities. 
- Build and sustain relationships with staff of elected officials and key agencies or decision-making bodies. 
- Participate in coalition groups such as Association of Zoos and Aquariums Government Affairs Committee, IUCN and Aquarium Conservation Partnership policy working group. 
- Support the Development department in outreach to donors interested in supporting our conservation portfolio, including writing grant applications and proposals for earmarks. 
- Once a month serve as a lead for a field-based engagement opportunity for paid staff, such as debris removal or habitat restoration. 
- Provide administrative and coordination support to other large scale, cross-departmental activities seasonally such as budgeting, master planning, and campus sustainability. 
- Performs other duties associated with the conservation team’s programming needs. 
- Limited travel to Sacramento and Washington DC is anticipated, and other travel opportunities as needed to advance Aquarium policy needs.

Join the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Population Management Center (PMC) at Lincoln Park Zoo and work with the specialized team of scientists advising the cooperatively managed AZA Animal Programs (Species Survival Plans® (SSPs), SAFE Programs, AZA Studbooks), with an ultimate goal of improving the viability of zoo and aquarium animal populations and related wild populations. This is an exceptional opportunity for an early-career scientist to apply population biology, demography, genetics, meeting facilitation, and data analysis skills to real-world population management challenges, while collaborating with species experts across the AZA community.
 
What You'll Gain:
- Direct mentorship from leading population biologists.
- Experience advising AZA Species Survival Plan® Programs.
- Opportunities to participate in conferences.
- Hands-on work with demographics, genetics, and population projections.
- Contribute to management efforts involving hundreds of species.
- Opportunities to participate in software development and scientific research.
- Build relationships with AZA Animal Program leaders, animal managers, and scientific advisors from 240 zoos and aquariums.

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Reporting to the Executive Director of the New Mexico BioPark Society, the Director of Conservation works in close partnership with the ABQ BioPark Director and BioPark Leadership Team to advance conservation priorities across the institution. The position maintains a strong collaborative and dotted-line working relationship with BioPark leadership to ensure alignment between conservation strategy, institutional priorities, collections planning, visitor experience, and operational decision-making.

The NMBPS Director of Conservation will lead the strategic direction of the BioPark’s conservation program while stewarding key partnerships across government, community, scientific, zoo and aquarium, and international conservation networks. The role will work closely with BioPark and Society leadership to strengthen alignment between institutional priorities, operational sustainability initiatives, collections planning, conservation programming, communications, and community impact.

This position is designed for a systems-oriented conservation leader who is capable of navigating complex institutional environments, building trusted relationships, supporting multidisciplinary teams, and maintaining strategic focus across a broad range of opportunities and competing priorities. The Director does not need to be the most technically specialized expert in every room, but must be scientifically credible, strategically thoughtful, politically astute, and highly collaborative.

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The Director of Conservation provides oversight, strategic leadership, supervision, and support to the BioPark’s conservation team and associated conservation initiatives. This includes management oversight of the Center for Species Survival: New Mexico team and associated staff, the Conservation Policy and Strategy Specialist, relevant contractors, consultants, and project personnel engaged in the delivery of conservation priorities. The Director is responsible for fostering a collaborative, high-performing team culture, ensuring alignment across conservation activities, and supporting the effective delivery of conservation outcomes.

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Lion Country Safari is seeking an experienced, mission-driven Education and Conservation Director to lead conservation education programs for students, educators, families, community groups, and guests. This role oversees school and outreach programs, tours, camps, interpretive presentations, educational events, and related revenue-generating activities.

 

The ideal candidate brings strong education and team leadership experience, a passion for wildlife and conservation, and the ability to create engaging, accurate, and inclusive learning experiences. Working closely with Wildlife, Marketing, Guest Services, Finance, and Operations, the Director ensures programs support Lion Country Safari’s mission and applicable AZA standards.

 

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the Education Department’s daily operations and long-term strategy, including the written education plan, annual goals, work plans, and performance measures.

• Develop, deliver, and continuously improve educational programs for students, educators, families, community groups, campers, and general guests, including field trips, outreach, tours, camps, presentations, and special events.

• Create and maintain accurate, engaging, age-appropriate curricula and conservation messaging aligned with relevant education standards and Lion Country Safari’s mission.

• Evaluate program effectiveness using participant feedback, learning outcomes, attendance, engagement, revenue, and other performance measures; use findings to improve quality, accessibility, and impact.

• Recruit, onboard, schedule, train, supervise, coach, and evaluate education employees, seasonal staff, interns, and volunteers, fostering teamwork, accountability, and professional growth.

• Partner with the Wildlife Department to ensure ambassador animal programs follow approved animal wellbeing, handling, training, biosecurity, sanitation, safety, and applicable AZA practices.

• Build and maintain relationships with schools, educators, community organizations, and other partners; expand outreach opportunities and represent Lion Country Safari at educational and professional events.

• Oversee group reservations, registrations, and customer communications; monitor program participation, revenue, expenses, and trends, and recommend pricing and growth strategies.

• Develop and manage the Education Department budget with leadership and Finance; identify potential grants, sponsorships, and other funding opportunities.

• Serve as the primary organizer for in-house conservation initiatives and maintain relationships with external conservation organizations that partner with Lion Country Safari.

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We have an exciting opportunity for an RSRN Red Squirrel Ranger to join our team on a fixed term basis until December 2029. This role will play a key role in an exciting conservation project, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. This role will help connect local communities with our natural heritage while supporting the return of the native Red Squirrel to the Knowsley Estate and surrounding areas.

Working as part of our conservation team, you will contribute to a targeted grey squirrel control programme, helping to manage the existing population on the Estate and reduce the risk of re-invasion from surrounding areas.

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Deadline: November 8

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer and contributing as a member of the Executive Team, the Director Life Sciences will provide strategic leadership across Animal Care, Animal Health and Animal Planning. This is an exciting opportunity to bring Life Sciences together as a more integrated and influential organisational function, ensuring consistently high standards of animal welfare, husbandry, veterinary care, biosecurity and species management across all sites.

This is a significant change leadership role. You will help shape and communicate the organisation’s change narrative, bring people on the journey and develop a contemporary approach to how Life Sciences operates into the future. With strong technical capability already established across the team, you will build on this foundation, strengthen integration and help create something new. Working closely with leaders across conservation, visitor experience, assets and operations, you will provide strategic and operational advice to the CEO, Board and Executive Team. You will oversee performance, financial management, workforce capability, risk, compliance, safety and continuous improvement across the portfolio.

Brookfield Zoo Chicago is excited to announce we are seeking a Director of Marine Mammal Care & Conservation to provide leadership to our Marine Mammal program and team of talented Animal Care Specialists. 

 

Bringing extensive, high-level expertise in marine mammal care, the Director will be closely involved in managing the marine mammal species that includes social groupings, managed breeding, behavioral enrichment and operating conditioning programs.  In our newly renovated Dolphin Bay, the Director will continue innovations in animal care bringing incredible conservation & educational stories to life that drive public engagement and community action.  As a people-first manager who balances supportive coaching with clear, encouraging guidance, you will continue to strengthen a high performing team of animal care specialists and build future leaders in marine mammal care & conservation.    

 

Be a part of BZC’s Next Century Plan charting a bold future of Key Projects expanding wildlife habitats and transcending conventional zoo design for a fully immersive experience.  

 

The Director of Marine Mammal Care & Conservation contributes to the success of Brookfield Zoo Chicago (“BZC”) by leading the overall direction and operations of the marine mammal department/taxon specialty in accordance with BZC’s long-range plans for animal care, welfare, and conservation. 

The Administrator & Assistant, Animal Health, Welfare & Science is a non-union, full-time, hourly position grade 05H with an expected hiring range of $23.80 - $26.18 per hour.  Please see Compensation and Benefits Summary section below the job description information.

This position contributes to the success of Brookfield Zoo Chicago by providing a full range of administrative and clerical support functions for the Animal Health, Welfare & Science department (AHWS).  

PRIMARY JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

*  Provide general administrative support to the Animal Health, Welfare, & Science department comprised of Veterinary Services, Zoo Nutrition Services, and Animal Welfare Science.
*  Provide direct administrative support to the Senior Vice President of Animal Health, Welfare & Science, Director of Operations-Animal Health, Welfare & Science, Vice President of Animal Welfare Science, and Director of Nutrition.
*  Provide clerical support to the AHWS department including but not limited to managing phone calls, email communications, addressing visitor needs, making travel arrangements, scheduling meetings, reserving rooms, preparing reports, filing and organizing documents, recording meeting minutes, handling mailings and shipments, maintaining electronic department files and databases, ensuring the AHWS SharePoint page is up to date and well organized, maintaining the AHWS central calendar, and assisting the Senior VP and Director of Operations in staff scheduling. 
*  Provide accounting, invoicing, and client relations support for the Radiology Consulting Service.  Communicate with clients and radiologists and facilitate study submissions as required.  
*  Provide administrative, clerical, and client relations support for the Zoo and Aquarium Radiology Database program.
*  Maintain office equipment and coordinate inspections/repairs as needed. Inventory and maintain office supplies for the department.
*  Maintain, file, and manage electronic and hard copy patient medical records as directed.      
*  Under direction of the Director of Operations-Animal Health, Welfare & Science, assist in tracking and scheduling examinations and medical procedures for the animal collection. Work with external consulting veterinarians to coordinate scheduling, record acquisition, and logistics. 
*  Under direction of the Director of Operations-Animal Health, Welfare & Science, assist in tracking and coordinating annual inspections and servicing of hospital and laboratory equipment. 
* Provide support to the Veterinary Education Program by monitoring and organizing student applications. Assist with scheduling rotations and coordination of on-site visits. Coordinate logistics related to student rotations and shadowing participants.
*  Provide dedicated support to the animal shipment transaction program by working closely with the Animal Care and Programs division and the Registrar to gather, organize, and process medical records and generate certificates of veterinary inspection. Communicate with various regulatory agencies to obtain accurate testing and permitting requirements and relay those requirements to the appropriate parties in a timely manner.
*  Provide support to the Animal Welfare and Research committees by gathering and organizing application proposal materials, maintaining spreadsheets, scheduling meetings, and recording meeting minutes.  
*  Liaise with hospital volunteers assigned to AHWS projects to ensure understanding and accurate completion of assignments.
* Assist with departmental purchase order creation, order placement, invoice acquisition and processing, expense reports, staff reimbursements, and account monitoring.  
* Ensure all hospital common areas are maintained in a clean, organized manner and are professional in appearance. Assist with management and maintenance of the physical facility (interior and exterior).  Communicate with the Plant & Facilities department as needed with regards to open work orders.
*  Interact with zoo guests, staff, and visitors as requested, including general reception functions and basic abilities to give guided tours through the facility.
* Serve as the safety representative for the Animal Hospital and perform routine fire extinguisher and safety equipment inspections; attend safety meetings to ensure department compliance and preparedness. 
Other related duties as assigned. 

The Director of Conservation Biotechnologies is responsible for the overall direction, planning, coordination, and implementation of a scientific research program that supports and is aligned with the conservation objectives and strategy of the SDZWA. The Director will oversee an integrated scientific group, encompassing our conservation genetics, reproductive sciences, and biodiversity banking teams. The Conservation Biotechnologies department takes an integrative and innovative approach; applying an array of scientific disciplines to support strategies (e.g., genetic rescue, population assessment and management, assisted reproduction) designed to safeguard and restore biodiversity and to manage wildlife populations in situ and ex situ. Scientific disciplines practiced within the Biotechnologies department include cryogenic biobanking of living cells and gametes (which comprise the SDZWA Frozen Zoo®), advanced population genomics, advanced reproductive technologies, cell biology, endocrinology, stem cell biology, bioinformatics and more. The Director of Conservation Biotechnologies is a subject-matter expert in either conservation genetics/genomics, reproductive sciences, cellular biology, or biodiversity banking, with a high level of fluency in the other disciplines. This position requires a proven track record of innovating, applying, and critically evaluating scientific approaches for biodiversity conservation, as well as a strong record of collaboration across sectors.

As a leadership position in the Conservation Science Wildlife Health (CSWH) department, the Director of Conservation Biotechnologies communicates the SDZWA conservation vision and strategy to their team, identifies and prioritizes projects that strengthen connections with other teams in CSWH, departments within SDZWA, external partners, and has a working knowledge of approaches/tools used by the SDZWA to ensure activities support conservation outcomes (e.g., The Conservation Standards). The Director of Conservation Biotechnologies will develop and steward strategic collaborative relationships with diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, NGO's, academic institutions, and local communities. The Director will have a proven track record for successful grant writing and team leadership. Working knowledge of regional, national, and international conservation frameworks and conventions is essential.

The Director is a member of the Conservation Science leadership team, and is responsible for monitoring, reporting, and communicating the Conservation Biotechnology team's conservation and science outcomes. The Director will contribute to organizational conservation strategic planning and fundraising, including securing grant funding through various sources.

Additional responsibilities of the Director of Conservation Biotechnologies include budget development and oversight, internal and external communications, ensuring that the team complies with ethical, safety and other guidelines as defined by SDZWA policies and procedures. The Director drives team cohesion and morale and serves to effectively connect the team to the broader CSWH department and with our strategic conservation objectives. This position will report to the Vice President of Wildlife Conservation Science.

The City’s Community Services Department is seeking a part-time Zoological Conservation Assistant (Zoological Assistant - H) to assist with the planning and implementation of its wildlife conservation program at the Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo.  

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The Junior Museum and Zoo is a local family destination that serves children, birth to age 8, through its science exhibits and zoo, and children to age 11 through its school programs and summer camps. Approximately 117,000 visitors enjoy the Museum and Zoo each year and 23,000 take part in its science lessons and field trips at the Museum, in local schools, and in local open spaces. The Junior Museum’s mission is to engage a child’s curiosity in science and nature, and its zoo works to support animal conservation efforts in natural spaces.