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Assistant Zoo Director

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Assistant Zoo Director

Salary

$76,065.60 - $90,322.96 Annually

Location

Boise, ID

Job Type

Full Time Regular

Job Number

23 -07382

Department

Parks & Recreation

Division

Zoo Operations

Opening Date

01/06/2026

Closing Date

1/20/2026 12:00 PM Mountain

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

Summary Statement

Ready to take the lead in a role that blends strategy, teamwork, and a little wild fun? The Zoo Assistant Director oversees the business management of Zoo Boise and the Friends of Zoo Boise while guiding administration, education, and visitor experience functions across the division. You’ll collaborate with managers and supervisors, use sound judgment to keep operations running smoothly, and serve as the Zoo Director’s designee when needed—all while supporting a mission that connects people to wildlife and conservation.

WHY WORK FOR THE CITY OF BOISE?

Top talent deserves top-notch benefits. The City is among the best in the Treasure Valley when it comes to the benefits and perks we offer our employees.

+ ZERO premium medical coverage option for you and your family!

+ PERSI retirement benefits plus 401(k)/457b with employer match

+ 10 hours vacation per month (increases with tenure) + 12 paid holidays + 8 hours sick leave per month

+ 10 weeks Parental Leave

+ Up to $500 annual WellBeing incentive

+ Tuition reimbursement and free local bus pass

+ Basic Life and Long Term Disability insurance at no cost

Essential Functions

+ Provides detailed oversight of administration functions for the division. Reviews and analyzes work flow, processes, and procedures. Oversees and manages the zoo's marketing and public relations efforts. Negotiates and manages contract with vendor for the zoo's gift shop, carousel, catering, and concessionaires. Oversees management of the guest services department.

+ Manages membership fulfillment and renewals, and corporate sponsorship programs and events through assigned staff. Assists the director with zoo fundraising through donors and patrons.

+ Oversees education and volunteer programs. Recruits, trains and manages hundreds of volunteers, maintenance, and event staff through coordinators and assistants, and ensures volunteer hours are tracked.

+ Coordinates animal care and facility maintenance. Participates in development and creation of new exhibit designs. Oversees management of animal registration, reports, and permits. Contributes to the coordination of the zoo’s conservation program. Maintains qualification standards to carry firearms in the event of an emergency.

+ Develops division budget with input from the management team . Provides revenue and expense projections and develops long term cash flow models. Maintains accurate records of revenue, accounting and reconciliations. Approves purchase orders. Coordinates as technology support. Prepares and present reports to the Friends of Zoo Boise.

+ Performs other duties as assigned. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position at any time.

Requirements

Required Knowledge, Experience, And Training

+ Must have a Bachelor's degree in biological sciences, business management or related field.

Required education and/or experience to attain the following:

+ Five years of professional management experience in a zoological setting and experience in oral and written communication with an emphasis on effective relationships with governing authorities, individual and corporate funding resources, other local state and federal agencies, and the public.

Knowledge of:

+ The application and interpretation of laws and regulations related to the operation of a zoo.

+ Direct experience in personnel management, finance and budget management, fundraising, board management, public relations and marketing, membership programs, non-profit management, animal husbandry, construction of exhibits, facilities management.

+ Understanding of operating within the larger zoo community.

Ability to:

+ Plan, organize and direct activities of the division and non-profit organization.

+ Develop and implement short and long range plans to support the organization's mission, goals and objectives to provide services to the public.

+ Develop, implement and evaluate effective programs.

+ Coach and supervise employees in the effective performance of their work.

+ Manage a diverse group of people.

+ Follow-up on work assignments and verify accuracy and completeness.

+ Operate a computer with demonstrated proficiency using contemporary and related database, word processing, and spreadsheet software applications. at an appropriate level for efficient job performance.

+ Display an attitude of cooperation and work harmoniously with all levels of City of Boise employees and the public.

+ Communicate effectively in the English language at a level necessary for efficient job performance.

+ Complete assignments in a timely fashion.

+ Understand and comply with all rules, policies and regulations.

+ Maintain prompt and regular attendance.

+ Perform all essential and marginal functions as assigned by an authorized employee, supervisor and/or manager with or without a reasonable accommodation.

+ Individuals must be capable of operating vehicles safely and have an acceptable driving record.

Preferred Knowledge, Experience, And Training

+ Seven to ten years of management experience in an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited institution.

+ Three years of experience in non-profit management with proven fundraising skills.

Licensing And Other Requirements

+ Valid State Issued driver’s license.

Special Requirements

Applicants must be able to pass:

+ City of Boise background check processes which includes a criminal history check and reference checks in accordance with the City of Boise Hiring Process Regulation

+ Driving Record Check

+ Education Verification

+ Drug Free Workplace:

+ In accordance with the City of Boise Drug Free Workplace Regulation, this position is designated as safety sensitive and is subject to testing requirements including Post Offer Applicant Testing, Random Testing, Reasonable Suspicion, Post - Accident, etc. Applicants will be required to submit to screening for illegal drug use prior to hire. Appointment to this position is contingent upon a negative pre-employment drug test.

+ This position is required to qualify and maintain qualification standards to carry firearms.

Working Conditions

The physical effort characteristics and working environment 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.

Physical Efforts

While performing the duties of this job the employee is occasionally lifting/carrying up to 10 pounds and rarely lifting/carrying up to 50 pounds. Also, the employee is occasionally pushing/pulling up to 10 pounds and rarely pushing/pulling up to 50 pounds. The noise level is occasionally moderate and rarely loud. Work includes sensory ability to talk, hear and touch. Work in this position also includes close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision and depth perception. Employees will sit, stand, walk and run. Position requires hand/finger dexterity.

Working Environment

The work environment will include inside conditions, outdoor weather conditions, in wet and humid conditions, areas of dust, odors, mist and gases or other airborne matter. This position works: weekends, evenings, and holidays as required by zoo hours of operation.

Top talent deserves top-notch benefits. The City is among the best in the Treasure Valley when it comes to the benefits and perks we offer our employees.

Most positions are eligible for the general benefits listed here; firefighters, police officers, senior managers, command staff, and directors may be offered other benefit plans.

Healthcare:

+ ZERO premium medical coverage option for you and your family

+ Low-cost dental and vision options.

+ Post-employment health savings account.

Retirement and Investment Plans:

+ PERSI retirement benefits

+ 401(k) or 457b pre-tax investment options with employer match.

+ 457b Roth after-tax investment options with no match

WellBeing Program:

+ Up to $500 cash per year for participants.

+ Alternative transportation incentives.

Paid Leave – City employees receive generous paid leave:

+ 10 hours of vacation per month, and this increases the longer you stay with the City

+ 12 paid holidays every year

+ 8 hours of sick leave per month

+ 10 weeks Parental Leave

Life & Long Term Disability:

+ Basic Life insurance at no cost to you

+ Long Term Disability insurance at no cost to you

Other optional benefits:

+ Pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts

+ Supplemental Life Insurance

+ Supplemental Disability Insurance

+ Tuition reimbursement

+ Free local bus pass

+ Corporate discount programs

+ AFLAC

+ Employee Assistance Program for short-term counseling on work, family, finances, and personal issues.

Please visit our website for further details mybenefits.cityofboise.org