Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Zoo Administrator

🎯 Role Definition

As a Zoo Administrator you will lead and coordinate the non-clinical, operational, and strategic functions of a zoological institution to ensure exceptional animal welfare, visitor experience, regulatory compliance, and sustainable growth. This hybrid operational-leadership role combines staff supervision, budget and facilities management, permit and accreditation oversight, vendor and stakeholder coordination, program development (education, conservation, events), and day-to-day incident & emergency response. The Zoo Administrator reports to senior leadership (Director/CEO/Curator) and partners closely with animal care teams, veterinary staff, education and guest services, facilities, marketing, and finance to deliver safe, compliant, engaging, and mission-driven experiences.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Senior Zookeeper or Lead Animal Caregiver with supervisory experience
Operations Coordinator or Facilities Supervisor in a cultural or nonprofit institution
Wildlife Biologist / Conservation Program Coordinator transitioning into management

Advancement To:

Director of Operations / Operations Director
Curator of Animals or Senior Curator
Executive Director / Zoo Director

Lateral Moves:

Animal Care Manager / Head Keeper
Education & Outreach Manager
Facilities & Safety Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Lead, supervise, and mentor a multidisciplinary operations and animal care support team (including keepers, facility technicians, guest services leads, volunteers, and contractors), setting clear performance expectations, conducting performance reviews, and driving staff development aligned with organizational goals.
Oversee daily zoo operations to ensure a high standard of animal welfare, safe animal handling and husbandry practices, and consistent delivery of scheduled programs, enrichment, transport, and feeding routines.
Develop, manage, and monitor the annual operating budget for operations, maintenance, and non-veterinary animal care programs, including forecasting, variance analysis, cost-control initiatives, and reporting to senior leadership and the board.
Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations (USDA, state wildlife agencies, OSHA, local building & sanitation codes) and maintain necessary permits, licenses, and documentation for animal possession, transport, and public interaction.
Coordinate with veterinary staff to manage quarantine protocols, disease surveillance, medical logistics, transport planning, and emergency veterinary response plans to protect animal health and public safety.
Implement and maintain facility maintenance plans for exhibits, holding areas, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, life support systems, and exhibit infrastructure to ensure safety, functionality, and habitat integrity.
Oversee exhibit and habitat maintenance scheduling, habitat renovation projects, and new exhibit planning — including procurement, contractor management, scope, timeline and budget oversight.
Lead risk management and safety programs for staff and visitors, including development and enforcement of SOPs, incident reporting, safety trainings, occupational health programs, and emergency preparedness exercises.
Coordinate development and delivery of visitor-facing services (guest services, admissions, signage, accessibility, group visits, and interpretive experiences) to maximize guest satisfaction and revenue opportunities.
Manage volunteer and docent programs: recruitment, screening, training, scheduling, recognition, and retention strategies to augment operational capacity and community engagement.
Lead procurement, inventory, and vendor management for feed, enrichment materials, habitat supplies, safety equipment, and maintenance parts — negotiate contracts, evaluate suppliers, and manage relationships to achieve cost efficiencies.
Oversee scheduling, payroll coordination, and workforce planning to ensure appropriate coverage for animal care, guest operations, and facilities throughout peak and off-peak seasons.
Drive conservation, education, and community outreach collaborations with internal education teams and external partners (universities, NGOs, zoos/botanical institutions) to support research, internships, and public programming.
Lead grant writing, fundraising support, sponsorship solicitations, and donor stewardship activities tied to operations projects, exhibits, and conservation initiatives in coordination with development staff.
Maintain comprehensive animal and facility records, databases, and compliance documentation (including transfer and transport records, accession/disposition paperwork, enrichment logs, and incident logs) to meet accreditation and regulatory requirements.
Support accreditation processes (e.g., AZA) by compiling documentation, implementing standards, coordinating site visits, and leading corrective action plans to maintain institutional accreditation and continuous improvement.
Plan and coordinate special events, education programming logistics, group visit services, and outreach initiatives that use zoo facilities while managing guest flow and safety.
Lead animal transport and relocation logistics: route planning, regulatory paperwork, crate and vehicle readiness, cross-institutional coordination, and risk mitigation for inter-zoo transfers or field collection.
Develop and implement animal enrichment, behavior management, and breeding program logistics in partnership with curators and veterinary staff to support species-appropriate welfare outcomes and population management plans.
Serve as primary or backup incident commander for non-clinical emergencies (facility failures, public safety incidents, severe weather response) and coordinate cross-functional response and recovery with senior leadership.
Manage capital project planning inputs related to operations and facilities, including scoping, budgeting, vendor selection, permitting, stakeholder communication, and post-completion turnover to operations teams.
Monitor and analyze operational metrics (visitor satisfaction, incident rates, maintenance KPIs, staffing utilization, cost per animal/guest) and produce regular reports with recommendations for efficiency and strategic investment.
Cultivate partnerships with municipal agencies, regulatory bodies, contractors, and community stakeholders to advocate for institutional needs, secure permits, and leverage collaborative resources.
Lead continuous improvement initiatives for operational processes, sustainability programs (waste reduction, water recycling, energy conservation), and visitor services to meet mission and financial objectives.
Train staff on animal handling protocols, public interaction policies, and humane education practices to ensure consistent messaging and safety across departments.

Secondary Functions

Support and collaborate with the education team on curriculum logistics, classroom and outreach scheduling, and field trip coordination.
Assist marketing and membership teams with operational inputs for seasonal campaigns, exhibit openings, and event logistics to optimize visitor flow and revenue.
Contribute to the organization’s sustainability and green operations strategy by advising on waste, water, and habitat resource management related to exhibits.
Provide subject-matter input for grant proposals, research protocols, and institutional reports focused on operations, animal care capacity, and infrastructure needs.
Participate in cross-functional strategic planning, board presentations, and capital campaign planning as the operations representative.
Serve as a mentor and instructor for new keeper training, volunteer orientations, and safety certification sessions.
Support ad-hoc operational analytics and KPI tracking; produce executive-friendly summaries and actionable recommendations.
Manage customer complaints or operational escalations from visitors, coordinating remediation and follow-up to enhance guest satisfaction.
Maintain and update SOP manuals, operations runbooks, and continuity plans for off-hours coverage and seasonal transitions.
Coordinate with IT and security teams to ensure access control, CCTV, alarm systems and digital systems align with operational and animal care needs.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Animal husbandry & species-specific husbandry techniques for mammals, birds, reptiles, and aquatic species; strong understanding of behavioral enrichment and welfare assessment.
Regulatory compliance knowledge (USDA, state wildlife regulatory frameworks, OSHA, local public health and permitting requirements) and proven experience maintaining permits and inspection readiness.
Budget development and financial management (operating budgets, capital budgets, variance analysis, vendor contract negotiation).
Facilities and project management (planning, preventive maintenance, life support systems, exhibit infrastructure, contractor oversight).
Emergency preparedness and incident command experience, including emergency response protocols for animal escapes, facility failures, and public safety events.
Accreditation familiarity (e.g., AZA standards), record-keeping for accreditation, and experience preparing for site visits and corrective action implementation.
Experience with scheduling software, workforce management tools, basic payroll coordination, and HR processes related to staffing and compliance.
Inventory, procurement, and vendor management skills, including supply chain oversight for specialized feed, medical supplies, and exhibit materials.
Data literacy: ability to collect, interpret, and report operational KPIs using Excel, Google Sheets, or basic BI/reporting tools; comfort producing executive summaries.
Knowledge of animal transport logistics, crate and vehicle standards, interstate and international transport paperwork.
Grant writing, fundraising support, and donor communication experience related to operational projects (preferred).
Proficiency with facility and safety systems (HVAC life-support, water quality systems for aquatic exhibits) and ability to coordinate technical troubleshooting.

Soft Skills

Leadership and team development: proven ability to build, mentor, and retain high-performing cross-functional teams.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills for interacting with staff, board members, regulators, contractors, and the public.
Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to prioritize competing demands and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Problem solving and critical thinking: demonstrated capability to assess complex operational issues and implement practical, timely solutions.
Empathy and animal-centered decision making: prioritizes welfare and humane outcomes in operational decisions.
Customer service orientation with an ability to de-escalate visitor concerns and drive improvements in guest experience.
Collaboration and stakeholder management: skilled at building productive relationships across departments and external partners.
Adaptability and resilience in fast-paced, unpredictable environments (seasonal demand spikes, emergency incidents).
Attention to detail for regulatory documentation, safety compliance, and record-keeping.
Ethical decision-making and integrity consistent with conservation and nonprofit/mission-driven organizational values.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor’s degree in zoology, wildlife biology, biology, animal science, business administration, nonprofit management, or a closely related field OR equivalent professional experience in zoo or wildlife operations.

Preferred Education:

Master’s degree in conservation biology, zoo management, public administration, business administration (MBA), or related advanced credential; professional certifications in zoo/animal management or facility management are a plus.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Zoology / Animal Science
Wildlife Biology / Conservation Biology
Business Administration / Nonprofit Management
Environmental Science / Ecology
Facilities/Project Management / Public Safety

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

5+ years of progressively responsible experience in zoo or aquarium operations, wildlife facilities, or large-scale animal husbandry programs; at least 2–3 years in a supervisory or management role.

Preferred:

7–10+ years of combined animal care and operations management experience, demonstrated budget ownership, facilities project leadership, regulatory compliance management, and experience with accreditation processes (e.g., AZA) or equivalent institutional standards.