Technical Manager Animal Nutrition Jobs (NOW HIRING)

SUMMARY

The Birmingham Zoo is currently seeking applications for an Animal Nutrition Center Manager. This full-time position is responsible for the daily operation of the Animal Nutrition Center including tracking and ordering food, budget management, compliance with USDA and AZA standards, monitoring inventory, and assisting with the day-to-day needs in the department. 

This position requires working at least 40 hours per week, including weekends, holidays, and late events as needed.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Conducts the day-to-day supervision of Animal Nutrition Center (ANC) Technicians, Volunteers, Interns, and/or staff members in assigned area.
• Oversee and assists with preparation, organization, and delivery of animal diets.
• Helps with the day-to-day duties in the department including making diets, delivering diets, cleaning building, etc.
• Preforms manual labor to include: cleaning and moving feedbags, meat and fish, hay bales, shaving, etc.
• Oversees the nutrition center budget including purchase orders, maintaining record of expenses, facilitating orders, and maintaining appropriate inventory including making sure stock is rotated.
• Ensures cleanliness and sanitization of the nutrition center to ensure USDA and AZA standards are met or exceeded.
• Maintains a safe work environment for assigned staff. Identifies, reports, and works to resolve safety concerns in a timely manner.
• Under the direction of the Animal Health Center, implements diet changes after approval by staff veterinarians. Assists in researching animal diet needs and diet changes when needed.
• Oversees ordering and maintaining appropriate inventory of supplements, working closely with Animal Health Center.
• Responsible for going out to purchase diet items at in town stores as needed.
• Builds and maintains a positive working relationship with food venders including reaching out to meet occasionally, discussing our changing needs, researching new venders as zoo needs change, etc. 
• Reports pest issues and works with contractors to make sure any pest concern is dealt with immediately.
• Accurately maintains all documents and records.
• Engages and interacts with zoo visitors including keeper chats and providing tours of the Animal Nutrition Center.
• Keeps up with maintenance needs, reporting and coordinating any maintenance concerns.
• Creates new protocols as needed and ensures staff are following established protocols.
• Responsible for recruiting and overseeing hiring process for department.
• Oversees performance management with a focus on developmental objectives. Completes performance appraisals and evaluations on all direct reports.
• Oversee browse program including browse collection both on grounds and off grounds.
• Determine other tasks that the department can take on and help with (e.g., creating enrichment foods such as frozen treats, feeder colonies, etc.)
• Assigned Animal Department Coordinator duties to act as a point person for any major zoo animal issue or concern during the day or Manager on Duty to act as point person for any major non-animal issue or concern during the day.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Becomes familiar with the BZI staff handbook and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) for the Department.
• Provide leadership, support and direction to the ANC team and serve as a resource and partner to the Animal Health and Animal Care teams for diets.
• Builds effective partnerships and strong relationships within and outside the zoo.
• Supports and participates BZI initiatives and projects. Demonstrates and supports staff participation in AZA, AAZK, and other professional organizations and conservation activities as appropriate

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Animal Nutrition Center Technicians
• Seasonal Staff and Volunteers

SAFETY ANALYSIS

This position is expected to maintain the highest level of safety in the work area through implementation of safety protocols and procedures. The position is impacted by a wide variety of potentially hazardous exposures: 

• Will have to deal with the unpredictability of wild animals.
• The care and husbandry of animals, some of whom are dangerous or may carry zoonotic diseases.
• The proper use and understanding of cleaning and disinfecting agents.
• Weather conditions including extreme heat, cold and storm conditions.

Specific training and procedures designed to maintain safety of people as the highest priority of the zoo followed by the safety of the animal collection will be provided. 

The use and understanding of a variety of personal safety equipment is mandatory.

All staff members of the zoo are required to be familiar with the Zoo’s overall safety policies as outlined in the staff handbook as well as being responsible for reporting any injury immediately to the first aid department. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a staff member to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  While performing the duties of this job, staff should expect:

• Use of hands, fingers, tools or controls. 
• Frequently required to stand; walk; sit; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch and talk or hear. 
• Routinely lift and/or move 50-75 pounds. 
• Exposure to wet surfaces and slippery surfaces.
• Required to wear a face mask and or other personal protective equipment for long periods of time.
• Depending on assignment, exposure to the elements can be expected.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

The Birmingham Zoo recognizes that skills and knowledge come from both formal and informal experiences including education, paid work, volunteer service, and life experience. Those who meet the majority of the requirements for a position are encouraged to apply.

Education and work experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Zoology, Nutrition or an equivalent field of study is preferred.
• Experience in animal care and/or food service preferred.
• Experience and knowledge of animal nutrition is preferred.

Skills and Knowledge

• Ability to think critically and demonstrated time-management skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, as well as decision making skills; possess team building skills; and has the ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Must have ability to foster teamwork within and across teams.
• Competency in computer skills.
• Strong organizational skills with strong attention to detail.

Desirable qualities

• Strong interest in advancing the conservation missions of zoos and aquariums.
• High self-motivation and a detail-oriented work ethic.
• Professional, positive, and enthusiastic demeanor.

Other Requirements:

• Must have current negative TB test and provide documentation, or be willing to have a TB test. Must provide other documentation of vaccines or be willing to follow protocols including, but not limited to, wearing N95 masks and gloves.
• Must be willing to travel locally.  Must have a current valid driver’s license with no prior traffic violations within the last five years.

POSITION TYPE AND HOURS OF WORK

• Full time, exempt (salary)
• Schedule varies between weekdays and weekends.
• Weekend work required as well as occasional evening work and holidays.
• Will be included in the Animal Department Coordinator (ADC) rotation or Manager on Duty rotation (MOD)

Workplace Environment

Birmingham Zoo is committed to being a place where everyone feels welcome, whether as a guest, team member, or part of our broader community. Our core values— Passion, Excellence, Teamwork, Stewardship, and Inclusion— shape a work environment where respect, collaboration, and learning are valued. We encourage candidates with unique perspectives and experiences to apply.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Birmingham Zoo is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

APPLICATION PROCESS 

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

If selected, a background check and drug test will be conducted prior to beginning employment.

Birmingham Zoo Inc. is a not-for-profit entity.