Associate Director of Operations

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. Department Purpose The Oiled Wildlife Care Network 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 Essential Responsibilities 40% Leadership & Administrative 30% Content Management & Training Support 15% Asset Management 15% Other Leadership & Administrative Contribute to strategic visioning of the overall program as a senior leadership member of the program. Represent OWCN to key stakeholders, including OWCN member organizations, California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Office of Spill Prevention and Response and other State and Federal agencies, and to the public as needed Ensure administrative aspects of the program related to operations are successfully tracked and met, including but not limited to ensuring all required UC Davis and OWCN-specific trainings are conducted and completed, rehabilitation and scientific collection permits are acquired and followed, and evidence (samples, paperwork, data) is collated and securely stored after all spill events. Review and monitor budgets and expenditures for the operations portion (including equipment, supplies, and facility improvement efforts) of the program and ensures appropriate allocation of these resources. Supervise the daily activities of OWCN Management Team personnel assigned to operational areas. Lead the initial operational efforts for rapid mobilization for oil spill activations, in close coordination with the Associate Director of Network Management for activation of member organization responders. Specific duties will vary based on the response, but include implementing agreed-upon mobilization strategies to determine most rapid and effective deployment. Respond to spills, filling any management and staff roles required by the response, including potentially higher-level leadership roles as necessary, and coordinate with outside stakeholders and member organizations. This includes working within the Incident Command System (ICS) to serve as a group supervisor level. Supervise operational activities during responses and interface with a diverse group of individuals and agencies including the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the US Coast Guard, US Fish & Wildlife Service, National Park Service, State Parks, local governments and law enforcement, the responsible party, wildlife organizations, and volunteers. Provide depth in coverage for the Director and Associate Director of Network Management, as needed, in preparedness and response times. Content Management & Training Support Manage development and review/maintenance of best practices content (including field operations and animal care activities) for the OWCN, ensuring that protocols and information generated is being collaboratively created by subject matter experts inside and outside of the Network. Identify gaps in subject matter areas related to best practices in oil spill responses and identify paths to address and disseminate new information, including through internal and external research opportunities and collaborations, publications, and conferences/meetings. This also includes supporting the Director with the OWCN Scientific Advisory Committee and external research grant calls. Support Network training needs identified by the Associate Director of Network Management and create and deliver content to address these needs, including in person and virtual workshops, webinars, asynchronous learning, and other modalities as required. Asset Management Oversee the acquisition and maintenance of all large-scale physical assets and supplies across the Network, including but not limited to vehicles, trailers, supply caches, and temporary/permanent facilities. Ensure the accurate and updated inventory of supplies necessary for emergency response activities, including items stored at the OWCN Headquarters as well as throughout the Network. Other Take shifts (rotating through the team) on the 24-hour hotline to receive and act on calls for oil spill notifications. Support requests for mutual aid as needed from entities within and outside UC Davis and California. Represent OWCN on a national and international level as needed. Takes on other duties and projects as assigned. Application Deadline: August 22, 2026 at 11:59PM Pacific Time #J-18808-Ljbffr