Safety & Security Director en Woodland Park Zoo

SALARY & FLSA: $111,425.60 - $167,128.00 per year; FLSA exempt
The $111,425.60 annual/hourly starting pay is structured to be competitive and may extend up to the $139,276.80 midpoint of the annual range, reflecting our commitment to offering competitive compensation to qualified candidates.

OPENING DATE: 10/27/2025
CLOSING DATE: 11/17/2025 This position may close early if a sufficient number of qualified applications are received.
JOB TYPE: Regular, Full-time
UNION: Non-Represented
OPENINGS: 1
LOCATION: Onsite
DEPARTMENT: Safety & Security

HOW DO YOU ZOO?
More than 1.3 million people visit Woodland Park Zoo each year. We connect people with wildlife and remind them of what’s at stake in our changing world. Our job is to motivate people to take action and provide them with the tools needed to join us in saving endangered species. Working for the zoo means upholding our mission, “To save wildlife and inspire everyone to make conservation a priority in their lives.” Apply today and show us how you zoo.

WHO YOU ARE
As our new Safety & Security Director, we know you will be successful in this role because you are:

• A strategic and proactive safety leader – You bring deep expertise in health, safety, and security programs, and know how to design systems that protect people, animals, and property while building a culture of safety excellence across the organization.
• An effective communicator and relationship builder – With strong interpersonal skills, you collaborate with staff at all levels, community partners, and regulatory agencies to ensure alignment, compliance, and a shared commitment to safety and security.
• Data-informed and solutions-focused – You use metrics, incident analysis, and regulatory insights to identify trends, anticipate risks, and develop creative, cost-effective strategies that drive continuous improvement.
• Calm under pressure and lead with integrity – Whether managing emergency response, resolving guest concerns, or supporting your team through complex situations, you lead with professionalism, clear communication, and a steadfast dedication to the zoo’s mission and core values.
  
  

YOUR PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• General: Leads, drives, and promotes a culture of safety and security excellence for staff, guests, animals and the broader Zoo community
  
  • Formulates strategies and solutions for long term sustainable and short term improvement. Proactively identifies where, when and how these different strategies are utilized based on performance
  • Establishes, implements and oversees effective safety and security programs and strategies that ensures the organization’s compliance with OSHA, WSHA, L&I, AZA and other safety and environmental standards and regulations as required
  • Establishes, conducts and/or oversees periodic safety and security inspections to ensure compliance with applicable regulations. Proactively address areas of non-compliance by working with department managers to develop timely solutions
  • Assesses and identifies trends in safety and security performance through leading indicators, data review, incident history and audits. Drives the necessary behavioral or environmental changes creatively, efficiently and cost effectively
  • Develops budget requests and manages purchasing related to Zoo safety & security department needs.
  • Coordinates communication to zoo staff on important safety & security issues or events, in coordination with Engagement team and CZO.
  • Serves as a member of the Zoo Senior Leadership Team (SLT), including occasional service as a Manager on Duty (MOD) or Zoo events or Holiday schedules.
• Health and Safety Program: Develops, implements and deploys the HSP for the zoo with the aim of zero accidents and/or incidents, including the establishment of improvement goals and operational safety activities and drills.
  
  • Develops and maintains organizational culture which supports the zoo’s overall strategic objectives and goals by providing leadership on issues involving safety, cost, quality, process and people
  • Creates and monitors measurable, metrics-driven results based on strategic safety planning and implementation
    o Leads the cross functional Safe Team to implement the HSP across the organization, ensures minutes are documented and follow up on meeting action items is occurring
  • Collaborates with Safe Team members and managers to provide regulatory and practical training to staff through the development and implementation of a safety training plan.
  • Trains senior leaders regarding their responsibilities of the Incident Command System so SLT is prepared to be an Incident Commander or Manager on Duty. Creates new training materials as required so managers can recognize hazards and risks, and complete incident investigations
  • Implements comprehensive inspection and audit program and a robust incident investigation process that ensures effective preventive and corrective actions
  • Conducts accident investigations to identify root cause and generate recommendations to reduce or eliminate hazards and perform follow-up inspections to verify effectiveness/resolution
  • Conducts/facilitates job safety and other technical analyses
• Security Program: Oversees all zoo security activities, security planning and emergency planning and response process.
  
  • Develops and documents the security management system for the complex.
  • Manages the perimeter security with the appropriate law enforcement.
  • Manages secure access systems throughout the Zoo to ensure appropriate access security for the perimeter, administrative office, cash-handling areas, non-public workspaces etc.
  • Interfaces with all departments to ensure that security measures are in place and monitored. Examples include major project construction, animal enclosures, guest access and security, employees access, special events, etc.
  • Develops strategic measures to determine effectiveness of security plan and continuously improve.
  • Investigates incidents to understand root causes and implement actions to reduce or eliminate causes.
  • Manages zoo weapons program, including purchase, safe storage and regularly maintenance cleaning of all onsite firearms, ammunition and related safety equipment. Manages firearms training of zoo employees serving on the weapons team, schedules training space and instructors for regular shooting training & practice for weapons team members.
• Community Interaction: Develops and maintains strong and effective partnerships with public law enforcement, Seattle Parks, fire departments, and other emergency agencies, assist with plans and investigations as requested.
• Integration with Guest Services: Ensure zoo guests and visitors receive positive and impactful guest experiences by applying top quality customer service standards and zoo principles.
  
  • Handles escalated guest-related safety and security issues. Partner with various departments/units, both internally and externally, to help target improvements and reduce/manage risks
  • Regulatory Compliance: Maintains records and documents in compliance with all regulatory and internal recordkeeping requirements and provides statistical data on safety performance
  • Prepares and submits regulatory reports, notifications and communications with regulatory agencies.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree (B.S or B.A.) in related field and minimum five years of personnel management experience focused on safety and/or security, risk management; or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Thorough knowledge of laws and regulations pertaining to safety, health programs
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to communicate clearly and professionally with all levels of employees, leadership, consultants, regulatory entities, and board of directors
• Excellent guest service and problem solving skills
• Strong leadership, project planning and organizational skills
• Successful applicants must live and work in Washington State to perform this role.
• Applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a valid WA driver's license with a safe driving history.

BENEFITS
The Woodland Park Zoo offers a comprehensive benefits package for full time staff including:

• Medical, dental, and vision HMO and PPO plans for you and eligible dependents
• 11 paid holidays and 4 personal holidays
• Accrue 12 vacation days and another 12 days of sick leave your first year
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) 
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) 
• Tuition reimbursement 
• Free zoo membership that includes zoo admission and discounts after 90 days 
• 4 complimentary tickets per year plus other discounts and perks  
• Free staff parking 
• 403(b) Retirement Plan

SELECTION PROCESS
Application: Please include a resume and cover letter with your application through our Zoo Careers site at zoo.org/jobs. Please be sure to list or upload copies of all relevant training and certifications on your application. The zoo may review existing application pools to fill this position or use this pool to fill future vacancies.

This opportunity is open to all candidates that meet the qualifications. Woodland Park Zoo values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The zoo encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, 2SLGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences. Woodland Park Zoo is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in all its services. If you need accommodation in the application or interview process, please contact our recruiting team at [email protected].

Screening: We will review applications and select some candidates for screening calls. Final candidates will be invited for virtual or in-person interviews.

Offer: Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process including the completion of a background check. In addition, this role requires the applicant to successfully complete a: driving record review, pre-employment physical, and pre-employment tuberculosis test.