Job Posting: Philadelphia Zoo Director of Animal Nutrition

As America’s First Zoo, we offer a rich history and unique opportunities and challenges to navigate while providing exceptional care to the animals in our collection. We strive to become a zoo of the future while honoring our past, and are currently undergoing a lot of change and development.

The Nutrition Program at the Philadelphia Zoo has a long and storied reputation in animal nutrition, known for pioneering dietary discoveries such as “pink flamingos” and “zoo cakes,” and longevity of the animals in our care. We have been fortunate to have a nutritionist consistently on staff here for the past 41 years. As a result, our care staff is accustomed to working with a well-managed nutrition program steeped in nutrition science. We have strong vendor relationships, many of which are local, and follow sustainable practices.

The nutrition team consists of the Senior Director of Animal Health, a Director of Animal Nutrition, Nutrition Operations Manager, 4 keepers dedicated to the commissary, and a team of browse workers that varies in size seasonally. The commissary is currently de-centralized, however, we have a keen interest in developing a centralized commissary within the next 5 years, and are looking for a nutritionist who is interested in helping us achieve this.

The zoo has a large stand-alone commissary with a walk-in refrigerator, walk-in freezer, and thaw box, and a dedicated hay barn on-site. We also have a “browse farm” located within walking distance of the zoo where approximately 20% of the zoo’s browse is harvested from. All browse is managed by the Nutrition Department with a long-standing, robust program in place to ensure regulation, safety, and monitoring.

As the Director of Animal Nutrition, you will have the support to attend continuing education annually and to participate in the AZA Nutrition Advisory Group and/or in an advisory role for AZA SSP programs, as interested.

We offer a generous benefits package, including a 401k match, disability insurance, Health Savings account options, and free 24-hour access to an Employee Assistance Program.

The zoo is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit institution and is currently an eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

Starting salary is $95,000 annually.

BASIC FUNCTION:

Reporting to the Senior Director of Animal Health, the Director of Animal Nutrition (DAN) will develop, implement, and manage the nutrition program for the zoo’s animal population. This is a supervisory position, with direct oversight of the Nutrition Operations Manager in managing the commissary, animal area kitchens, browse program, and employees of the commissary.

Responsibilities include management of food safety, quality, and sustainability; the welfare of prey animals; nutrition program planning; budget development; animal commissary renovations, construction and/or maintenance; and the diet and nutrition-related aspects of keeper training programs. The Director of Animal Nutrition will work cooperatively with animal Directors to ensure that animal diets meet welfare goals, and may take an active role in the AZA Nutrition Advisory Group, participate in AZA projects, and perform research pertaining to animal nutrition. Additional projects and duties may be assigned.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Formulate and/or manage diets for all animals within the Philadelphia Zoo’s animal collection in accordance with nutritional and behavioral requirements specified by AZA Animal Care Manual (ACM) recommendations.

1. Monitoring of diet consumption, diet formulation and implementation, body condition scoring, and timely maintenance of department nutrition records and manuals.
2. Regular communication with Directors and other zoo managers regarding nutrition protocols for the animal population, as well as information on food supplies.
3. Compilation of information on nutrition and nutrition-related health issues to direct diet recommendations to Directors, veterinarians, and other zoo managers.
4. Annual review (minimally) of the dietary husbandry protocols (including dietary behavioral enrichment items) to ensure nutritional adequacy and excellence of diets.
5. Responsibility for approving all consumable items and diet changes.
6. Responsibility for quality control testing of hay, fish, insects, meats (including whole prey items), grain, canned goods, and produce.
7. Collaboration with horticulturists on the management and continued development of the browse program, and surveillance of the grounds and habitats for toxic plants.
8. Initiation of and collaboration with the veterinarians on clinical investigations and research projects as it relates to animal health and nutrition.
9. Advising the Senior Director of Animal Health on nutrition issues that require further investigation; will serve as point person on all nutrition research projects.
10. Remains current with pertinent regulations and standards (federal [USDA], state, industry [AZA], etc.) for animal food procurement, handling, storage and distribution that may affect zoo programs, and provides recommendations to Senior Director of Animal Health, Senior Director of Animal Care, and Vice President of Animal Wellbeing for complying with relevant regulations.
11. Ensure the commissary maintains an up-to-date Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) program; HACCP program must include guidelines for all aspects of work from humane euthanasia of whole prey to the storage and rotation of all stock.
12. Participates in continued education from nutrition-oriented conferences and workshops.
13. Supervision of the Nutrition Operations Manager (NOM).  The NOM is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the commissary and browse program and is the direct supervisor of Nutrition Program Union and part-time employees.
14. Development and implementation of the Nutrition Program Budget.
15. Oversight of vendors, food items, food supply, sustainability, and budgeting for the Nutrition Program.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITY REQUIRED:

1. Ability to present nutrition information in a relatable manner to varied audiences, and provide training for animal care and commissary staff workers.
2. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to prepare routine correspondence, document protocols, and prepare research projects.
3. Knowledge of standard programs for word and data processing. Knowledge and working experience with Zoo Diet Navigator (ZDN) is preferred.
4. Ability and willingness to be trained to use firearms for participation in the animal escape response team.
5. Ability and willingness to work a flexible schedule that may include weekends, evenings, and holidays.
6. Support Zoo’s mission by providing tours, behind the scenes experiences, education camps and programs (includes the formulation of animal diets that allow special feeding opportunities without compromising the nutritional health of the animal).
7. Professionally represents the Zoo and the Nutrition Program to the board of directors, donors and guests.
8. Communicates regularly with peers and directors concerning matters of commissary work, safety and work schedules.
9. Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with co-workers across the organization, including volunteers and the public.
10. Understands and follows verbal and written instructions.
11. Demonstrates dependability, teamwork, positive attitude, resourcefulness, good judgement and uses common sense.
12. Voices concerns constructively.
13. Participates in or leads assigned meetings, one on ones with supervisor and task forces. May present at All Animal Care and / or Staff360 meetings or other related functions as assigned.
14. Participates in leadership training and assists with leading a cohesive and collaborative team.
15. Utilizes effective organizational skills and two-way communication skills.
16. Collaborates with others and works within a team.
17. Ability to prioritize, make decisions and problem solve.
18. Ability to give and receive feedback.
19. Willingness to continuously learn and participate in professional development opportunities.
20. High emotional intelligence.
21. Effective listener.
22. Respectful, fair and tactful.
23. Curious and continuous learner.
24. Collective under pressure.
25. Displays excellent project management skills.
26. Displays unquestionable integrity.

Professional participation in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA): 

• May participate in the AZA Nutrition Advisory Group
• May participate in an advisory role for AZA SSP programs
• Will collaborate with peers within the AZA nutrition field for the exchange of animal diet information and the advancement of the Philadelphia Zoo Nutrition Program
• Will work with supervisor to identify AZA training opportunities for self-advancement in the field of zoo and wildlife nutrition as well as captive animal care

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Advanced degree in nutrition (animal preferred) from an accredited university and program or similar.
2. 3 years’ experience at an AZA institution within the nutrition program at a supervisory level or above.
3. Valid driver’s license.
4. Must have commissary operations experience and be fully trained in all aspects of commissary operations.
5. Knowledge of AZA nutrition standards and USDA regulations relating to food safety.

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL STANDARDS:

1. This position will involve exposure to inclement weather, dust, potentially dangerous and unpredictable animal species and potentially dangerous machinery, restraint devices and hazardous chemicals and/or medications.   Use of protective equipment or clothing (e.g., masks, gloves, gowns, face shields, etc.) is sometimes required.
2. Successful completion of post-offer tuberculosis testing and drug testing prior to beginning work.
3. Ability to remain in a stationary position for long periods of time.
4. Ability to ascend, descend and work atop stairs, ladders, and move under low objects.
5. Must be able to work around a large variety of plant and animal species.
6. Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
7. Ability to move and lift up to 50 pounds.
8. Ability to drive Zoo vehicles including electric and gas-powered carts, cars, and cargo vans.
9. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate in person as well as through radios, phones, and computers.
10. Attends scheduled zoo-wide meetings.
11. Completes required trainings as assigned.
12. Carries out duties and responsibilities in a safe and efficient manner to maintain a safe work environment and surrounding area for oneself, animal, co-workers and public.