The Associate Director of Operations is responsible for running day-to-day activities of the Oiled Wildlife Care Network’s (OWCN) Management Team at its headquarters (located in the Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine). This position focuses on coordination of subject matter expertise and content related to the rescue, care, and rehabilitation of oiled wildlife; management of physical assets for the program; coordination of the initial deployment operations for emergency response efforts. This role works in close coordination with the Director of the program and the Associate Director of Network Management, who leads the management of the 45 Member Organizations and 1600 responders who empower the OWCN to deliver world class emergency response efforts to oil spills in state waters of California. This role will supervise content experts in the roles of animal health and care, as well as field operations, and a logistics unit. #CA-AR
Apply By Date 1/15/2026 at 11:59pm
Minimum Qualifications - For full consideration, applicants are encouraged to upload license and/or certification if required of the position
- Required to hold a valid California driver's license, have a driving record that is in accordance with local policies/procedures, and/or enroll in the California Employer Pull Notice Program
- Bachelor's Degree and 4 or more years of experience in emergency response, wildlife rehabilitation, wildlife field research, or related field.
- 4+ years of demonstrated supervisory experience.
- Experience with incident command/emergency response.
- Experience teaching and conducting training in informal or formal settings.
- Collaborative and team-oriented, detail-oriented and able to set priorities and meet timelines; capable of making decisions in a fast-paced and rapidly changing work environment.
- Ability to travel on a monthly basis around California for routine partner visits and to deploy with limited notice for emergency response activation; comfortable with flexible working hours.
- Exceptional writing and communication skills with basic financial analysis and budgeting skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Advanced degree (DVM/PhD).
- Experience working in an academic or state/federal government setting.
- Experience in wildlife care operations or wildlife field operations, ideally in emergency situations.
- Program management experience, ideally in an academic or state/federal government setting, with large grant-funded projects and demonstrated financial analysis and budgeting skills
- Program monitoring and evaluation skills
Key Responsibilities
- 40% - Leadership and Administration
- 30% - Content Management and Training Support
- 15% - Asset Management
- 15% - Other
Department Overview
The Oiled Wildlife Care Network (OWCN, owcn.vetmed.ucdavis.edu) is a globally recognized wildlife emergency preparedness and response program that is administered through a partnership between the University of California, Davis and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Office of Spill Prevention and Response, and is powered by over 40 member organizations across the state of California, including major zoos, aquariums, and wildlife rehabilitation facilities. Its purpose is to provide best achievable capture and care to wildlife impacted by oil spills across California. The program is coordinated by a Management Team that sits at UC Davis and ensures readiness activities, including over 3,000 responders and technical capacity during non-spill times and deploys for responses during spill times. This cornerstone program sits in the Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center (WHC) of UC Davis, a multidisciplinary unite focused on the health of free-ranging and captive terrestrial and aquatic wild animals. As a Center of Excellence within the One Health Institute (OHI), the WHC implements the One Health approach, recognizing that the health of animals, people and the environments they share are inextricably linked. At UC Davis, the WHC/OHI is the organization under which faculty, staff, students, and other partners come together to address the complex issues surrounding conservation and health in a changing world. The WHC administers several high-profile wildlife.
POSITION INFORMATION
Department Budgeted Salary or Pay Range: $94700.00 - $130000.00
Salary Frequency: Monthly
Salary Grade: Grade 24
UC Job Title: PROJECT POLICY ANL MGR 1
UC Job Code: 000568
Number of Positions: 1
Appointment Type: Staff: Career
Percentage of Time: 100%
Shift (Work Schedule): Mon-Fri 8am-5pm
Location: Davis
Union Representation: 99 - Non-Represented (PPSM)
Benefits Eligible: Yes
This position is hybrid (mix of on-site and remote work)
Benefits
Outstanding benefits and perks are among the many rewards of working for the University of California. UC Davis offers a full range of benefits, resources and programs to help you bring your best self to work, as well as to help you and your family achieve your health, wellness, financial and career goals. Learn more about the benefits below and eligibility rules by visiting either our handy Benefits Summary for UC Davis Health Employees or Benefits Summary for UC Davis Employees and our Benefits Page.