Overview:    

The City of Palo Alto Community Services Department is seeking an experienced, collaborative, and visionary professional to serve as the Executive Director for the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo (JMZ) - one of the Bay Area’s most unique and beloved institutions. 

This leadership role provides strategic oversight, operational management, and long-term planning for a dynamic and highly visible division that includes an accredited zoo, children’s museum, educational programs, camps, special events, birthday parties, and community engagement initiatives.

The Junior Museum & Zoo serves thousands of children and families annually through hands-on science learning, animal experiences, camps, classes, outreach programs, and community events. The facility currently is open to the public six days per week, generates more than $3 million annually in revenue, and includes over 35 staff members across education, animal care, guest services, operations, and administration.

The ideal candidate will be a professional, solutions-oriented, and highly collaborative leader with strong operational and people management skills, experience leading multidisciplinary teams, and a passion for education, conservation, and public service. The successful candidate will bring experience working with educational programming, community engagement, zoo animals, conservation initiatives, and/or youth-focused services. They will demonstrate the ability to lead through change, build strong internal and external partnerships, and support a positive workplace culture focused on accountability, communication, innovation, and continuous improvement. 

Qualifications:    

Minimum Qualifications

Sufficient education, training and/or work experience to demonstrate possession of the following knowledge and skills, which would typically be acquired through: 

- Bachelor's degree in a related field and five years of progressively responsible, directly related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.

- Master's degree in a related field preferred.

Desired Qualifications

- Master’s Degree in degree in Recreation, Museum Studies, Zoology, Biology, Education, Public Administration, or Environmental Science.

Licensing Requirements:

Depending on area of assignment, positions may require:

- Valid California Driver's License.

- First Aide/CPR Certification (Must be obtained within first 6 months of hire)

Job Responsibilities:    

Some key responsibilities include:

- Department Leadership: Provide strategic leadership, operational oversight, and long-range planning for the Junior Museum & Zoo. 

- Staff Management & Culture: Lead and support multidisciplinary teams while fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing culture focused on safety, accountability, innovation, and exceptional guest experiences.

- Program & Operations Oversight: Oversee the planning, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of zoo, museum, educational, conservation, and community engagement programs.

- Community & Stakeholder Engagement: Develop and maintain partnerships with schools, community organizations, volunteers, donors, sponsors, and professional organizations, and represent the organization within the community.

- Financial & Resource Management: Manage departmental budgets, financial resources, grants, contracts, and capital improvement projects to ensure fiscal sustainability and operational effectiveness.

- Strategic Planning & Continuous Improvement: Analyze operational and program data, identify opportunities for improvement, and implement strategies that enhance services, efficiency, and community impact.

- Compliance & Accreditation: Ensure compliance with City policies, safety standards, regulatory requirements, and Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accreditation standards.

- Safety & Animal Welfare: Promote a safe, welcoming, and engaging environment for staff, volunteers, guests, and animals.