Zoo Hierarchy and Operations

jbnbsn99

jbnbsn99

Well-Known Member
Since it came up in another thread, I thought I'd create a new thread about how zoos actually run.

Below is the basic rundown of an average sized to large zoo. Every zoo will function differently based on their needs, budget, and personnel. Other zoos may combine departments or split off others into their own separate entities.

  • Zoo Director
    • Their job is to oversee the operations of the zoo as a whole. They are the face of the zoo to the public. Their primary job will consist of raising funds to continue the zoo's operation. Most directors will have little to do with animal care. Many come from a business background.
    • Director of Operations (DO)
      • This person is second in command (along with Director of Animals) after the Zoo Director. Often fills in as director when ZD is away. Their primary role is to oversee the non-animal portions of the zoo. Usually a non-animal person (business).
      • Human Resources Director (HR)
        • This person is involved in the hiring of employees. Also in charge of employees getting paid, taxes, and personal conflicts.
        • HR workers
          • These people work directly with the HR director to make the department run smoothly.
      • Director of Guest Services (GS)
        • This person is under the DO. Thier job is to coordinate the workers involved in the guest experience.
        • Guest Service Supervisors
          • In larger zoos, the GS department may need to be subdivided. When this happens, there are multiple supervisors who share equal responsibilities in differing roles.
          • Guest Services Workers
            • This may be the largest workforce in the zoo (usually larger than the keeper force). These are the people who sell tickets, work the parking lots, operate rides, etc. Most are hourly employees/part time.
      • Director of Maintenance
        • This person is in charge of all the maintenance in the zoo. Not usually involved directly with maintenance, but rather in an administrative role.
        • Mechanical supervisor
          • This person is in charge of all the zoo's mechanical workings (gates, fences, doors, rides, etc.)
          • Mechanics
            • Depending on the zoo, there can be multiple mechanics on site
        • Automotive supervisor
          • This person is in charge of the zoo's fleet of vehicles (sometimes combined with mechanical supervisor).
            • Automotive mechanics
        • Electrical Supervisor
          • This person is involved in all the zoos electrical needs
          • Electrician
            • The zoo will need two or more electricians on staff for all electrical needs.
        • HVAC and Plumbing
          • The zoo will also need someone for heating and air conditioning and a plumber. Two HVAC and two plumbers are not uncommon (or more).
        • Water Features
          • The zoo will need a crew to maintain all the zoo's water features (fountains, pools, streams, waterfalls, etc.). Can be a crew of four to five people in a large zoo.
        • Pest control
          • The zoo can either have an exterminator on staff or contract out the work.
      • Horticulture Director
        • This person is in charge of all the plantings in the zoo. In some zoos, this is classified under maintenance, in others, it is a curator position.
        • Horticulturalists
          • This is a team of workers devoted to keeping the zoo's plants in line.
 
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Part two - animal operations

  • Director of Animal Operations or General Curator
    • This person is in charge of all the zoo's animals and care. More importantly, they are in charge of the staff caring for those animals.
    • Head Veterinarian
      • This person is in charge of all vet care at the zoo and the zoo's hospital.
      • Assistant Vets
        • There can be any number of additional vets depending on the zoos need.
      • Vet Techs
        • These people assist the vets with procedures, animal care, and medicine.
      • Others
        • Depending on the zoo, there could be many other positions here. Ones I have seen include endocrinologist, pharmacist, x-ray tech.
    • Nutrition Director
      • This person is involved in providing and acquiring the food for the animals. In large zoos, this is a nutritionist.
      • Commissary
        • There will be several workers involved in preparing the food for the animals.
    • Mammal Curator
      • This person is in charge of the mammal collection. Depending on the zoo, there may be multiple mammal curators. This is the person (people) who make the decisions on what species will be kept in conjunction with the general curator. Usually does not work directly with the animals.
      • Mammal Supervisors
        • Large zoos will be broken into sections, each will have their own supervisor who reports to the Mammal Curator. The supervisor will work with the animals, unlike the curator.
        • Mammal Keepers
          • The largest bulk of keepers in a zoo will be the mammal keepers who are directly responsible for the care of the animals.
    • Bird Curator
      • Unlike the mammal curator, there is usually only ever a single bird curator. Responsibilities are like that of Mammal Curator.
      • Bird Supervisors
        • Same role as mammal supervisors
        • Bird Keepers
          • Same role as mammal keepers
    • Herpetological Curator
      • This person will be in charge of the reptile, amphibian, and invert collection. Unlike other curators, may be directly involved in the care of the animals depending on the zoo. There usually is not a Herpetological Supervisor
      • Herpetological Keepers
        • Same role as mammal and bird keepers.
    • Night Keepers
      • These are keepers who work throughout the night to ensure a keeper presence at all hours of the day. May report to any curator.
 
Part 3 - education

  • Director of Education
    • This person is in charge of all education and outreach programs in the zoo. Equal position (sometimes) to director of operations and general curator.
    • Education Animal and Outreach supervisor
      • This person is in charge of all the education animals and educators. Will work directly with curators as well as Director of Education.
      • Animal outreach
        • These people function as both keepers and educators. They are the ones who bring out animals for the public to interact with.
      • Tour guides
        • These are the people that lead tours around the zoo (including zoo rides through exhibits).
    • Zoo School supervisor
      • Is in charge of coordinating classes at the zoo (from preschool classes, to adult classes, to school field trips).
      • Field trip coordinator
        • This person is in charge of coordinating all school field trips. Deals with bookings, payments, and scheduling. Works directly with guest services.
      • Teachers
        • These people are the ones teaching classes to guests and students.
    • Graphics
      • This could range from a person to a department. Their job is to create all the zoo's graphics and signs.
 
Left out of the above lists are things like volunteer coordinator, membership services, custodial, and food services. Custodial and food services are often subcontracted out to other companies.
 
Thanks for all of this information, JBN. It significantly clarifies the hierarchy for me.

What about financials? Do most zoos have a person or department dedicated to budget/spending concerns?
 
It depends on the zoo. My experience was that it was divided between the zoo director and the director of operations.
 
Another important role in the animal care department is the registrar who helps to keep track of the animal records for the zoo.
 
Very interesting thread!
Would fish likely fall under the herpetological curator or would they have their own curator?
 
This is an excellent breakdown, but it does vary greatly depending on the size, the governance, and the culture of the institution. For example, some zoos have only a general curator, while others have curators who's rolls are broken down by the layout of the zoo, such as Africa Trail Curator, etc... It's not a fixed thing within every zoo, but this does give a good impression of the complexity of running a larger institution.
 
LaughingDove said:
Very interesting thread!
Would fish likely fall under the herpetological curator or would they have their own curator?
Click to expand...
It would really depend on how big the fish collection is. Just a few tanks? No curator. A full blown aquarium, definitely a curator.
 
No two zoos are exactly the same. This is the management structure of Chester Zoo, which is available to the public in its Annual Report.
full
 
This is an interesting thread, although, as has already been pointed out, every zoo is unique. At least the basic structure has been presented but I do know many small zoos where it seems as if there are only a half-dozen employees and everyone pitches in almost as a single entity.

Another intriguing concept would be to provide examples of zoo salaries, with it being widely known that zookeepers are for the most part chronically underpaid. In almost all major American zoos the job of being a keeper is such a coveted position that most folks in that role don't make much more than minimum wage. They often have illustrious careers caring for fantastic animals, but those same keepers work during peak times (weekends, summers) for a miserly salary. However, there are some well-paid careers possible at zoos:

Houston Zoo salaries:

https://www.glassdoor.ca/Salary/Houston-Zoo-Salaries-E29889.htm?countryRedirect=true

Toronto Zoo salaries:

https://www.glassdoor.ca/Salary/Toronto-Zoo-Salaries-E380108.htm

Here is another link with various zoo salaries listed:

Explore Different Zoo Career Options and Their Salaries
 
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