Job Alert: Clinical Wildlife Nutrition Manager - San Diego Zoo
Clinical Wildlife Nutrition Manager (Nutritionist) - San Diego Zoo Safari Park
https://sandiegozoowildlifealliance.org/jobs/sdzwa
Monday, March 3, 2025
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is a nonprofit international conservation leader, committed to inspiring a passion for nature and creating a world where all life thrives. Empowering people from around the globe to support our mission to conserve wildlife through innovation and partnerships, we support cutting-edge conservation, and bring the stories of our work back to our two world-famous front doors — the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park — giving millions of guests, in person and virtually, the opportunity to experience conservation in action. The deep and extensive knowledge gained from more than a century of experience in wildlife care, health, veterinary services, nutrition and conservation makes us invaluable in the global effort to save species. Our team members play a crucial role in driving our conservation efforts forward and bringing us closer to a world where all life thrives.
HOW YOU WILL IMPACT OUR MISSION
The Clinical Wildlife Nutrition Manager defines and establishes appropriate nutritional parameters for the wildlife in our care and designs and implements clinical/applied research projects. The Clinical Wildlife Nutrition Manager leads a proactive evidence-based nutrition program, including evaluation of diet efficacy, and supports strategic initiatives, and multi-year planning for Wildlife Nutrition and San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA). This position reports to the Senior Clinical Wildlife Nutrition Manager.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
Formulate diets and establish guidelines for dietary management utilizing an evidence-based approach and investigate, address, and document clinical nutrition needs of the collection and individual wildlife.
Lead preventative health-focused nutrition program for the wildlife in San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s care.
Collaborate regularly with Wildlife Care Managers and Veterinary staff to evaluate and ensure optimal health and welfare of wildlife by ensuring that high standards of nutrition are being met for all the wildlife in our care.
Direct and indirect supervision of assigned staff to support internal and external collaborative initiatives including delegating tasks to direct and indirect reports as appropriate and training and performance management of staff.
Lead feed quality and safety control program with oversight of feed specifications to ensure suitability of feeds.
Participate in meeting and maintaining the nutrition budget through collaboration with Nutrition and Wildlife staff, including but not limited to, approving all consumable items.
Act as the primary resource for questions related to eating habits and feeding methods; recommend nutritional changes as needed to ensure high standards of health for the wildlife in our care.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
The Clinical Wildlife Nutrition Manager (Nutritionist) will join a team of nutrition science professionals supporting the Alliance in the nutrition and well-being of the wildlife in our care. As the Safari Park Nutritionist you will be supported by the Senior Clinical Wildlife Nutrition Manager as you focus on day-to-day diet formulation and management for the Safari Park campus.
JOB EXPERIENCE
Must have at least one year of postgraduate experience in wildlife nutrition.
Three years of working in some capacity associated with feeding and nutrition of animals is preferred.
Minimum one years’ experience in AZA-accredited zoo commissary or nutrition department preferred.
EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS
Bachelor's degree in animal nutrition, or a related field required.
Master's degree in animal nutrition, or a related field with a focus on nutritional science preferred.
ServSafe Certified preferred.
SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge of wildlife nutrition, zoo animal management applications (e.g. ZIMS) and computer-based formulation of diets for animals is required.
Practical understanding of comparative wildlife nutrition and how it applies to wildlife health and welfare is required
Comfort providing dietary management guidance using comparative nutrition expertise to extrapolate from a limited knowledge base.
Understands proper food handling and champions food safety, quality control, HACCP, and biosecurity as appropriate, compliant with industry standards and regulations.
Ability to exercise sound judgment in urgent situations and respond with appropriate action
Ability to operate moderately complex computer software programs.
Ability to work autonomously with limited supervision.
Ability to work effectively and maintain composure in a fast-paced environment managing multiple projects with competing deadlines.
Ability to lead through the direction and development of others.
Ability to prioritize and manage time effectively, plan, and remain organized.
Ability to build and work with effective, diverse teams.
Ability to apply critical thinking in problem-solving and decision-making.
Demonstrated ability to manage budgets.
SOME OF THE PERKS YOU WILL ENJOY AS A TEAM MEMBER
Free admission to the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Family Passes
Complimentary Tickets
Local and In-House Discounts
Employee Assistance Program
Wellness Program
IMPORTANT DETAILS
Location: Escondido, CA
Position Type: Salaried, Full-Time, Exempt Position
Yearly Rate: $71,200 to $78,760
About The Salary Ranges
Please note that the salary range mentioned in this job posting should serve simply as a guide. The final compensation offered may vary based on a variety of factors, including bonuses and/or incentives, or a candidate’s experience and skills. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is committed to providing a fair, equitable, and competitive package that reflects the value an individual brings to the organization.
