Safety Manager (Full-Time, Exempt)

Are you passionate about creating safe environments where people can do their best work, guests can enjoy unforgettable experiences, and animals receive exceptional care?

ZooTampa is seeking a Safety Manager to lead our workplace safety, guest safety, emergency preparedness, and regulatory compliance programs. This is a highly visible management role that works across the entire organization to reduce risk, strengthen our culture of safety, coordinate emergency planning, investigate incidents, deliver training, and help ensure the well-being of team members, guests, animals, and Zoo assets every day.

Are you the kind of person who:

• Enjoys being out in the field, building relationships, identifying risks, and helping teams solve problems before incidents occur?
• Has experience leading safety, compliance, emergency preparedness, or risk management programs in a complex, public-facing environment?
• Thrives in a role where no two days are the same and where your work directly impacts team members, guests, animals, and the overall success of the organization?

If so, we encourage you to apply today and help us create a safer future for everyone who visits, works, and cares for ZooTampa.

Position Summary

The Safety Manager is responsible for leading ZooTampa's team member safety, guest safety, emergency preparedness, and regulatory compliance programs. As part of the People Department, this position partners with management across the organization to identify and reduce risk, promote a strong culture of safety, investigate incidents, deliver training, coordinate emergency response planning, and support compliance with applicable local, state, and federal regulations, as well as AZA accreditation and industry safety standards.

Who We Are

ZooTampa at Lowry Park is one of the most popular zoos in the southeastern U.S., with over 1.2 million visitors annually. We have grown to what now encompasses 56 acres of naturalistic animal exhibits in a lush, tropical garden setting. The Zoo, accredited by Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), offers popular educational programming, fun recreational amenities, up-close animal encounters and engaging seasonal events for which it has won awards as one of the country's most family-friendly zoos.

Our mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and care for animals; create exceptional personalized experiences that connect people with wildlife and each other in fun, immersive ways.

Our vision is that everyone we touch is motivated to join us in taking action to protect and preserve wildlife.

Join us and become a part of creating unforgettable natural connections!

Your day to day

Essential Functions (including but not limited to)

• Plan, establish, implement, and maintain a variety of occupational health, safety, emergency preparedness, and compliance programs and training initiatives (online and classroom-based) to promote the highest possible degree of safety for team members, guests, volunteers, contractors, and animals. Partners with Human Resources to ensure appropriate recordkeeping, documentation, and regulatory compliance.
• Maintains a highly visible presence throughout the Zoo by routinely conducting safety walks, interacting with team members and guests, observing daily activities, identifying hazards and opportunities for improvement, and promoting a culture of safety, service, and continuous improvement.
• Serves as lead in the development and continuous improvement of the Zoo's Emergency Response Program. Supports execution of emergency response as needed.
• Partners with all departments to determine safety training requirements for staff positions and provides training as needed.
• Provides safety training and education to Zoo team members, ensuring safety-related programs and training remain compliant with applicable federal, state, and local laws, AZA accreditation standards, OSHA requirements, NFPA standards, ASTM standards, and other applicable regulations.
• Promotes safe practices that protect team members, guests, animals, and Zoo assets.
• Coordinates with Operations, Security, Facilities, and other departments regarding the effective use and maintenance of safety-related communication systems and emergency notification capabilities.
• Manages inspection, testing, and compliance activities related to fire protection systems, fire extinguishers, alarm systems, and associated life-safety equipment. Partners with Facilities, vendors, and regulatory agencies to help ensure systems remain operational, properly documented, and compliant with applicable requirements.
• Establishes, conducts, and/or oversees periodic safety inspections and audits to ensure compliance with applicable regulations and organizational standards.
• Collaboratively works with department managers to identify hazards, implement corrective actions, and reduce risk to team members, guests, animals, and Zoo operations.
• Conducts incident, accident and near-miss investigations involving team members, guests, contractors, vehicles, facilities, and other safety-related events to identify root causes, recommend corrective actions, and reduce the likelihood of recurrence. Performs follow-up reviews to verify the effectiveness of corrective measures and maintains required documentation.
• Partners with the Sr. Director of Human Resources to investigate and report work-related injuries, monitor injury trends, support workers' compensation processes, and ensure appropriate corrective actions are implemented.
• Leads the investigation and documentation of guest-related incidents and injuries to identify contributing factors, preserves relevant information, and supports organizational decision-making. Prepares clear, accurate, and timely reports for insurance, legal, and risk management review.
• Assists in the preparation of safety-related reports, regulatory submissions, inspections, questionnaires, and correspondence. Serves as a liaison with regulatory agencies and outside organizations regarding safety-related matters.
• Communicates safety program performance, compliance status, injury trends, corrective actions, and other key safety metrics to Zoo management on a regular basis.
• Partners with Operations, Animal Care, Animal Health, Security, Facilities, and other departments to support emergency preparedness, identify and mitigate risks, and promote the safety and well-being of team members, guests, animals, and Zoo assets.
• Manages and maintains oversight of the Zoo's Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and Hazard Communication Program, including chemical inventories, team member access to SDS information, required training, labeling compliance, and safe handling practices.
• Maintains and updates safety-related emergency response plans and procedures and facilitates coordination with outside agencies, including law enforcement, fire rescue, emergency management, and other public safety partners.
• Coordinates annual reviews of hurricane preparedness, severe weather, and evacuation procedures and serves as assigned within the Zoo's Incident Command System (ICS) during emergency events.
• Prepares and presents safety reports, compliance updates, and risk mitigation recommendations to senior management.
• Serves as a member of emergency response teams, including the Zoo's Hurricane Ride Out Team as needed.
• Chairs the Zoo Safety Committee and works with department management to address, track, and resolve safety concerns and corrective actions affecting team members, guests, animals, and Zoo operations.
• Participates in the review of new exhibits, attractions, capital projects, and operational changes to identify potential safety risks and recommend mitigation strategies.
• Assists with contractor, fleet, golf cart, and vehicle safety programs to promote safe operations throughout the Zoo.
• Stays current on industry best practices, regulatory developments, AZA standards, and emerging trends in workplace, guest, and animal-related safety.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

What are we looking for?

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Occupational Health and Safety, Public Health, Emergency Management, Safety Management, Environmental Science, Risk Management, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education, certifications, and experience.
• 3-7 years of progressively responsible experience in occupational safety, risk management, emergency management, or a related field, preferably in a zoo, aquarium, theme park, museum, hospitality, recreation, or similar public-facing environment.
• Experience supporting or managing safety, compliance, training, and emergency preparedness programs.
• Experience conducting inspections, investigations, audits, training, or regulatory compliance activities preferred.

Skills and Experience

• Knowledge of OSHA regulations, workers' compensation, incident investigations, and safety best practices.
• Working knowledge of emergency management principles, ICS, emergency response planning, and business continuity.
• Strong management, training, communication, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to develop, implement, and improve safety and emergency preparedness programs.
• Ability to interpret and apply applicable regulations and adapt to changing requirements.
• Ability to build positive working relationships and influence safe work practices across multiple departments.

Other Requirements:

• Conducts all activities in alignment with AZA standards and guidelines, applicable laws and regulations, safety standards, and practices that support animal welfare.
• Ability to work in Florida weather conditions, including heat, humidity, rain, and severe weather.
• Ability to use communication equipment and follow written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, climb stairs, traverse uneven terrain, and operate vehicles or golf carts throughout the Zoo.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, special events, and emergency situations.
• Availability for on-call and emergency response duties.
• Valid Florida driver's license (or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire) with an acceptable driving record.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) and capable of utilizing databases, reporting systems, learning management systems, web-based applications, and other software necessary to perform the essential functions of the position.
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds and work for extended periods in a physically active environment.

Our Perks at ZooTampa

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance options.
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with a 4% company match
• Generous PTO (Vacation and Wellness time)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Free admission to the Zoo, MOSI, Glazer Children's Museum and the Florida Aquarium
• Free or discounted admission to many attractions in Florida
• Discounted gym membership
• And so much more!

Equal Opportunity Employer & Drug-Free Workplace