Assistant Director of the Zoo needed at Little Rock Zoo in Arkansas ~ $80k-$124k

1. Serves as a strategic leader for the City of Little Rock’s employee engagement efforts, building a culture that supports the City of Little Rock’s mission and core values. Partners with departmental leaders to build engaging, respectful, and collaborative work environments, resulting in improved morale, increased retention, and enhanced service delivery to the community.
2. Provides assistance to the Zoo Director with the planning and establishment of short and long range goals for the Little Rock Zoo including the design and implementation of a Zoo master plan for redevelopment and a long-range strategic business plan; forecasts workloads, budgetary and staffing needs; plans, directs, manages, and oversees assigned programs and initiatives, ensuring alignment with Departmental objectives and the City’s strategic goals.
3. Evaluates and monitors the performance, efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods for assigned Departmental Divisions; conducts program evaluation and feasibility studies; identifies opportunities for improvement and recommends course of action to Director of Zoo for improving efficiency and effectiveness; directs the implementation of improvements.
4. Investigates operational and administrative problems and complaints regarding assigned activities and operations; responds to and resolves sensitive and controversial issues, inquiries, and complaints; reports finding and recommends solutions to Director of Zoo; conducts program evaluation and feasibility studies on Departmental operations and recommends course of action to Director for improving efficiency and effectiveness of Departmental programs.
5. Serves as administrative liaison between the Department and other City departments and the general public; plans and organizes meetings with citizens, City officials, and department staff to discuss Departmental project activities.
6. Prepares, reviews, and presents various narrative and statistical reports, various management and information updates, and reports on special projects as assigned by the Zoo Director.
7. Answers questions, provides information in response to citizen complaints and requests for information relating to assigned division operations, projects, and activities.
8. Prepares tentative annual budget figures for the Department by compiling information received from Division Managers; reviews budget and submits to Director for final approval; monitors the Departmental budget by reviewing monthly budget reports to ensure budgeted amounts are not exceeded;  works with the Department of Finance and Director of the Zoo on revenue forecasting and expense budgeting and allocating funding for various Departmental activities and programs; assists in the review and approval of all budget transactions.
9. Develops and implements policies and procedures to ensure effective operation of assigned activities; establishes and ensures the maintenance of written manuals for   assigned operations and programs; ensures appropriate service and staffing levels for assigned operations and allocates resources accordingly.
10. Conducts research and assesses feasibility and opportunities for creating programs and projects, including new programs and new technology development, prepares statistical reports and recommendations for the Director.
11. Attends City board meetings and community events to answer questions, provide and present information to the City Manager, Board of Directors, Mayor and citizens relating to Zoo related programs, projects and activities.
12. Serves as backup spokesperson regarding media relations for the Little Rock Zoo; prepares and delivers presentations to a variety of groups.
13. Assigns, prioritizes, and monitors the work activities and performance of assigned personnel; ensures assigned personnel completes training as required; determines work schedules to ensure adequate staff coverage in assigned areas.
14. Oversees the Zoo Development Specialist in identifying potential sources of grant funding for various Departmental programs and activities; provides assistance to outside agencies in the application process for competitive grants; assists Zoo Development Specialist or other Zoo staff with grant submissions.
15. Monitors changes in laws, regulations, and procedures that may affect assigned departmental operations; modifies current policies and procedures and develops and implements policy and procedural changes as required upon review and approval.
16. Conducts and develops materials for Zoo orientation for new employees relating to Departmental guidelines, policies, and procedures; conducts and develops materials and coordinates Departmental customer service training for all Zoo employees.
17. Develops, coordinates and disseminates various customer satisfaction surveys designed to improve the Little Rock Zoo; compiles information and analyzes data and makes recommendations to Director of the Zoo.
18. Oversees Conservation Coordinator in the creation of a conservation action plan for the Zoo; works with Zoo Divisions to ensure assigned operations are in compliance with Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) standards for conservation.
19. Directs Departmental activities in the absence of the Director as assigned.
20. Establishes and maintains hard copy and computer files and records of Departmental activities, operations, special programs and projects and other related information.
21. Operates a computer with spreadsheet and word processing software in the performance of essential functions.
22. Operates an automobile in the performance of essential functions.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: General Curator, Zoo Animal Registrar, Zoo Conservation and Research Coordinator; Manager, Zoo Conservation and  Education; Manager, Zoo Facilities.