Job Opportunity: Kitchen Manager @ San Francisco Zoo
The San Francisco Zoo connects people with wildlife, inspires caring for nature and advances conservation action.
Division: Wellness
Reports To: Director of Nutrition Services
FLSA Status: Exempt, Full Time (including one weekend day)
The San Francisco Zoological Society (“Society”) is a non-profit institution that manages and raises funds for San Francisco Zoo and Gardens (“Zoo”). The Society’s mission, supra, is summarized as the 3 c’s: to connect our visitors with wildlife so that they care about nature and ultimately conserve it. The Society’s leadership team is comprised of a President & Executive Director as well as a professional team of Senior Managers. The Society endeavors to meet or exceed the standards of its industry peers, including those established by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (“AZA”). For over 25 years, the Society has been continuously accredited by the AZA.
SUMMARY: The Nutrition Kitchen Manager is based at the San Francisco Zoo Nutrition Center and supports the integrated animal wellness program. The position plays a key role in ensuring optimal nutrition for the Zoo’s animals. The Nutrition Kitchen Manager will work with the veterinary, animal care and animal wellness departments to maintain the health and psychological well-being of the Zoo’s animals. The Manager takes a specific role in understanding the effect and impact of diet on these animals. This includes supporting the formulation, preparation and scientific assessment of diets and nutritional records; tracking diets and diet changes; and assisting with the diet review process (may engage consultants to do so). The position will report to the EVP of Wellness. This position is required to work at least one weekend day and some holidays, subject to operational needs.
Upholds the Society’s mission, core values and other policies/procedure outlined in the Employee Handbook and elsewhere.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned and required.
- Is familiar with all diet preparation procedures, oversees and regularly participates in their preparation. Identifies new recipes and food presentations to ensure continuous improvement and animal motivation. Ensures outgoing animal diets are properly prepared.
- Oversees and participates in animal diet preparation and distribution. May require operating a forklift, pallet jack or other equipment for distribution.
- Documents and records animal diets.
- Assists with assessing hand-rearing protocols when needed to ensure most up to date research and practice is included.
- Drawing on most up to date research and practice, formulates, evaluates and analyzes animal diets and diet consumption to ensure nutritional adequacy and behavioral opportunities for animals.
- Supports animal enrichment, training and browse programs with associated dietary input.
- Orders and receives of food supplies for the Zoo nutrition center. May require operating a forklift, pallet jack or other equipment to receive supplies.
- Helps to ensure food quality. Ensures recipes are followed and adjusted as needed, quality and presentation standards are met.
- Is familiar with AZA, HACCP and USDA/OSHA guidelines and helps to ensure nutrition center compliance, biosecurity and food safety.
- Assists in assessing body condition of exotic and domestic animals, conducts research and data entry. May develop feeder animal colonies and nutrition education for Zoo staff and the public.
- Plays a key role in representing the nutrition center in annual animal wellness reviews and other integrated wellness projects.
Additional Responsibilities
- Interacts with Zoo staff and animal husbandry personnel in a professional and courteous manner.
- Interacts with Zoo visitors courteously and offers proper attention at all times.
- Performs other duties as required.
Knowledge, Abilities and Skills: Requirements:
QUALIFICATIONS: Must have relevant experience in food preparation, nutrition assessment, compliance readiness, animal assessment, and foodstuffs analysis; Knowledge of food handling & safety procedures/protocols; Train & supervise Dietician staff; Communicate with zoo employees and colleagues efficiently; keep operational records; prepare reports; deal courteously and effectively with the public; and work in highly demanding & time sensitive situations
Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.
EDUCATION, TRAINING & QUALIFICATIONS: Culinary degree or equivalent work experience. A minimum of 3 years of experience in kitchen management and food preparation. Work experience may substitute for education requirement.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; use hands; and talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to stand and walk. The employee is occasionally required to sit. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions including inclement weather.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to potentially hazardous animals.
APPLICATION: Please apply via our web site at www.sfzoo.org. Please attach a cover letter with your resume detailing your experience as it relates to this position.
