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Assistant Director of Animal Services

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Assistant Director of Animal Services

Salary

$92,438.00 - $153,829.00 Annually

Location

Norfolk, VA

Job Type

Permanent Full-time

Job Number

13134

Department

Zoo

Opening Date

05/21/2025

Closing Date

6/8/2025 11:59 PM Eastern

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

Description

The Virginia Zoological Park in Norfolk, VA is seeking to hire an Assistant Director of Animal Services to join its senior leadership team. This position plays a critical role in advancing the Zoo’s animal care, conservation efforts, and strategic growth.

This is one of two Assistant Director positions at the Virginia Zoo. The Assistant Director of Animal Services works alongside the Assistant Director of Facilities and Operations to assist and advise the Executive Director, focusing specifically on all animal-related responsibilities and leading the Animal Services Division.

The Virginia Zoo is a proud member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and is home to more than 700 animals representing over 150 species. Our dedicated team of professionals is passionate about animal welfare, conservation, education, and community impact.

Department Hiring Salary Range: $92,438 - $153,829

Essential Functions

Essential functions include but are not limited to:

+ Oversees the delivery of exceptional animal care through best practices in husbandry, nutrition, enrichment, behavior, and breeding.

+ Manages the animal care leadership team; recruits, trains, evaluates, and mentors staff.

+ Oversees animal collection planning and contributes to exhibit design and renovations.

+ Leads animal acquisition and disposition processes in coordination with AZA partners.

+ Collaborates with veterinary staff on protocols and wellness assessments.

+ Ensures adherence to all wildlife laws, USDA Compliance, and AZA accreditation standards.

+ Coordinates exhibit and holding area maintenance with Assistant Director of Facilities and Operations.

+ Develop and submit an annual Animal Services budget proposal, including detailed justifications and alignment with departmental goals.

+ Coordinates with mission engagement and marketing for messaging and signage.

+ Supports institutional conservation initiatives and coordinates approved research.

+ Represents the Zoo in public inquiries and AZA programs.

+ Participates in emergency response planning related to animal safety.

+ Acts on behalf of the Executive Director regarding animal-related matters when needed.

Education/Experience

Work requires specialized knowledge in a professional or technical field. Work requires professional level of knowledge of a discipline equivalent to that which is acquired in a Master's degree-level of study, preferably in the area assigned.

Five years' experience in a related field, preferably in a management capacity; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Education/Experience:

+ Master’s degree in Zoology, Biology, Animal Science, Environmental Management, or a related field preferred. Bachelor’s degree required.

+ Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in zoological animal management, including three (3) years in a leadership role.

+ AZA-accredited facility experience strongly preferred.

Preferred License(s) and/or Certification(s):

+ Valid Driver’s License.

+ May require additional certifications based on area of assignment (e.g., AZA Professional Development Programs).

+ Must be able to work weekends, holidays, and respond to animal emergencies as needed.

Additional Information & Requirements

Work Location: Virginia Zoological Park, 3500 Granby St., Norfolk, VA 23504

Work Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00am – 4:30pm (with weekend/holiday and emergency availability as needed)

Signing Bonus: This position is eligible for a one-time $5000 signing bonus for applications received on or after February 22, 2022. The signing bonus will be paid in two (2) increments: $2500 upon completion of 60 days of employment, and $2500 upon completion of your probationary period. To receive the signing bonus, you must be an active employee in good standing.

+ Regular full-time and permanent part-time employees may receive paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, employer paid pension plan, basic life insurance, voluntary participation in medical and dental, Section 457 deferred compensation, long-term disability, optional life insurance for self, spouse and children, medical and dependent care reimbursement plans, access to membership in credit union and employer provided parking.

+ Special project/grant employees are generally eligible for the same benefits of regular full-time employees; however, retirement, life insurance and participation in health plans vary depending upon funding and authorization.

+ Temporary/seasonal and part-time employees are generally only eligible for employer provided parking and access to membership in credit union.

+ Retirement

If you are hired October 5, 2010, or after to a position with City of Norfolk Retirement System benefits, you will be required to contribute five percent (5%) of your salary toward your retirement benefit. This will be a pre-tax payroll deduction.

If you are hired January 1, 2022, or after to a position with Virginia Retirement System (VRS) benefits, you will be required to contribute five percent (5%) of your salary toward your retirement benefit. This will be a pre-tax payroll deduction.

+ The Tuition Assistance Program is established to encourage employees toward continued self-development and education. Permanent full-time and permanent part-time classified, unclassified permanent, full-time special projects, and constitutional employees who have completed six months continuous service will be eligible to apply. The applicant’s school of enrollment must be an accredited institution.

NOTE:

The benefits described above are broad generalizations. The specific benefits that an employee may be eligible for are governed by City regulations, as applicable to job type.

Non-City

Positions listed with a job type designation of "Non-City" are not subject to the benefits descriptions above. Refer to the content of the job posting for information regarding these positions.

01

The following Supplemental Questions are specific to the position for which you have applied to assist the hiring manager in screening applications for specific experience being sought. Please be specific in answering these questions as they will be used to evaluate which applications will be given further consideration in the process. Do not answer "see resume" or "see application" as these are not valid answers. Please note that if you are invited to be interviewed by the department, your responses to the following questions may be subject to verification.

+ I understand and will answer the following supplemental questions completely and thoroughly.

02

Please select the highest level of education you have completed.

+ High School Diploma/GED

+ Some College (6 months or more)

+ Vocational/Technical Degree

+ Associate's Degree

+ Bachelor's Degree

+ Master's Degree or higher

03

Do you have experience working in an AZA-accredited facility?

+ Yes

+ No

04

How many staff members have you directly supervised in a professional setting?

+ 1-5

+ 6-10

+ 10-20

+ More than 20

+ I have not supervised staff directly

05

How many years of leadership experience do you have in a zoological or animal management setting?

+ Less than 1 year

+ 1-2 years

+ 3-4 years

+ 5 or more years

06

Which of the following areas have you managed or overseen? (Select all that apply)

+ Animal husbandry and enrichment

+ Nutrition and dietary planning

+ Breeding and reproduction programs

+ Animal training and behavioral conditioning

+ Animal acquisition/disposition processes

07

Have you developed or contributed to annual budgets for animal care departments?

+ Yes, I have led the process

+ Yes, I have contributed as part of a team

+ No, I have not

08

Which best describes your experience with exhibit design and renovations?

+ I have led full exhibit planning and implementation

+ I have contributed to planning or renovation as part of a team

+ I have no direct experience

09

Are you able and willing to work weekends, holidays, and respond to after-hours animal emergencies as needed?

+ Yes

+ No

10

How comfortable are you representing your institution in media interviews or public events?

+ Very comfortable – I’ve done this often

+ Somewhat comfortable – I’ve done this a few times

+ Uncomfortable – I have limited or no experience

11

Do you have experience collaborating with veterinary professionals on animal health or wellness assessments?

+ Yes, regularly

+ Occasionally

+ No

12

Which of the following best reflects your knowledge of AZA accreditation and compliance standards?

+ Expert – I’ve helped lead AZA inspections or compliance efforts

+ Proficient – I work under AZA standards regularly

+ Basic – I’m aware but not deeply involved

+ None – I have not worked in an AZA-accredited environment

13

Please indicate your veteran status. (A copy of your long form DD-214 may be required)

+ I am not a Veteran

+ I am a Veteran

+ I am a Disabled Veteran

14

Are you a current or previous City of Norfolk employee?

+ Yes - I am a current City of Norfolk Employee

+ Yes - I am a previous City of Norfolk Employee

+ No - I am not a previous or current City of Norfolk employee

15

If you were referred for this position by a current City of Norfolk employee, please provide the employee's full name, department, and job title. If not, please indicate by typing "N/A."

Required Question

Employer

City of Norfolk

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