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Job Title: Director of Technical Species

FLSA Status: Exempt

Classification: Full-time

Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Tuesday - Saturday)

Pay Rate: Range starts at $77,941/year

Summary:

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium (OHDZA), consistently ranked among the premier zoological institutions in the world, is a global leader in animal care, conservation, education, and scientific discovery. Guided by our mission to bring people closer to animals, nature, and each other so that together we can shape a better future for all life, we are committed to advancing excellence through our core values of Care, Joy, Impact, and Innovation.

The Director of Technical Species is a leadership position responsible for the strategic and operational oversight of the Zoo’s aquatic, environmentally specialized, and systems-dependent animal species, including Aquatics & Stingrays, Herpetology, Invertebrates, and Life Support Systems. Reporting directly to the Chief Zoological Officer, this position serves as a key member of the Zoological Leadership Team and provides leadership to supervisors and staff responsible for some of the institution’s most technically complex animal operations.

The Director of Technical Species serves as the institutional leader for aquatic animal management, environmental systems integration, life support operations, biosecurity practices, and specialized habitat management. This role combines strategic leadership with technical expertise in water quality management, life support systems, environmental monitoring, environmental controls, and the care of highly specialized species.

Working collaboratively with fellow species directors, the Director of Animal Behavior & Wellbeing, Animal Health leadership, the Registrar, and the Animal Project Manager, this position helps foster a culture of innovation, accountability, collaboration, and operational excellence throughout the organization.

This role blends deep expertise in aquatic animal management, life support systems, and specialized species operations with strong leadership and strategic thinking, driving species planning, operational excellence, and innovation in alignment with the Zoo’s mission and long-term vision, while fostering a culture rooted in care, connection, and shared impact.

Duties and Responsibilities (include but not limited to):

Animal Management and Operational Leadership

• Provide strategic and operational oversight of all assigned species and life support operations.
• Establish and maintain clear expectations, operating standards, and performance metrics across all assigned areas.
• Directly supervise and support the Manager of Aquatics & Life Support, Supervisor of Dome Reptiles, Supervisor of Amphibians, Supervisor of Terrestrial Invertebrates, and Supervisor of Stingray Beach.
• Ensure consistency in animal management practices and environmental system performance.
• Oversee species acquisitions, transfers, introductions, and dispositions in alignment with institutional priorities and species planning goals.
• Partner closely with the Registrar, Animal Health, Nutrition, and Animal Behavior & Wellbeing teams.
• Ensure all areas meet or exceed standards established by AZA, USDA, OSHA, USFWS, and other applicable regulatory agencies.
• Participate in emergency response planning and incident management.

Technical Leadership and Species Expertise

• Serve as the institution’s primary subject matter expert in aquatic animal management, life support systems, environmental monitoring, water quality, and specialized habitat operations.
• Provide strategic guidance regarding aquatic systems, environmental controls, filtration systems, and biosecurity programs.
• Lead species planning discussions involving aquatic, reptile, amphibian, fish, and invertebrate species.
• Collaborate closely with Facilities, Engineering, Animal Health, and Conservation teams to ensure effective operation of complex environmental systems.
• Support the planning, development, and implementation of innovative aquatic habitats and technical infrastructure projects.
• Promote evidence-based animal management practices through the integration of technology, monitoring systems, research, and data-driven decision making.

Leadership and Team Development

• Provide leadership, coaching, mentorship, and performance management for direct reports.
• Foster a culture of accountability, trust, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Support succession planning by identifying and developing emerging leaders.
• Guide workforce planning, staffing optimization, and resource allocation efforts.
• Promote employee engagement, wellbeing, retention, and professional growth.

Strategic Planning and Institutional Leadership

• Serve as a member of the Zoo’s Zoological Leadership Team.
• Lead strategic planning efforts related to aquatic and technical species.
• Collaborate with fellow species directors to ensure alignment across species planning, staffing strategies, and welfare initiatives.
• Contribute to master planning efforts, habitat development projects, and long-term species strategy discussions.
• Partner with the Animal Project Manager on habitat development, animal moves, and capital planning initiatives.
• Utilize operational and environmental metrics to support decision-making and continuous improvement.

Collaboration and Cross Functional Leadership

• Serve as the primary liaison between assigned species and other Zoo departments.
• Build strong partnerships with Animal Health, Facilities, Engineering, Conservation, Safety, Operations, and Guest Experience teams.
• Work collaboratively with the Registrar and Animal Project Manager to support species planning initiatives and operational logistics.
• Participate in leadership meetings, committees, and organizational planning efforts.

Conservation, Research, and External Relations

• Support and advance conservation initiatives involving assigned species and ecosystems.
• Participate in SSPs, TAGs, SAFE programs, and other collaborative conservation efforts.
• Encourage staff participation in professional development, conservation initiatives, and scientific research.
• Represent Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium at professional conferences, workshops, and external stakeholder meetings.
• Serve as an ambassador for the Zoo with donors, community partners, and the public.

Fundamental Skills:

• Commitment to a culture of trust, inclusivity, transparency, and open communication.
• Commitment to continuous leadership development and personal growth.
• Strong emotional intelligence and interpersonal effectiveness.
• Ability to build relationships across diverse teams and stakeholder groups.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to lead through influence, collaboration, and shared accountability.
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with operational execution.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic and evolving environment.
• Working knowledge of animal behavior, operant conditioning, enrichment, and welfare science.
• Ability to interpret and utilize operational and welfare data to support decision-making.
• Demonstrated commitment to safety, animal welfare, and employee wellbeing.

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Zoology, Animal Science, Wildlife Management, Environmental Science, Marine Biology, or related field.
• Minimum of five years of direct animal care experience at an AZA-accredited institution.
• Minimum of five years of progressive leadership experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in aquatic animal management, environmental systems, life support operations, water quality management, or specialized habitat systems preferred.
• Experience overseeing complex environmental systems and multi-disciplinary teams preferred.
• Experience with protected contact systems, advanced behavioral management programs, and large habitat operations preferred.
• Comprehensive understanding of modern zoological practices, including animal welfare, behavior management, safety, enrichment, training, and record keeping.
• Demonstrated ability to lead strategic initiatives and complex projects.
• Experience working collaboratively across multiple departments and disciplines.
• Strong understanding of AZA accreditation standards and applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Experience with emergency response planning and incident management.
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office and ZIMS.

Offered candidates are required to pass a pre-employment background check, drug screening, and possess a valid driver’s license with a good driving history.

DISCLAIMER

The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain, nor is it to be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications and objectives required of employees assigned to this job.

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer as defined by the EEOC.