Security & Safety Manager

Position: Safety & Security Manager, Full Time

Department: Operations/ First Aid / Security/ Safety

Supervisor: Director of Environmental Health & Safety

Nashville Zoo Mission:

Nashville Zoo is dedicated to inspiring a culture of understanding and discovery of our natural world through conservation, innovation, and leadership. With a diverse collection of animals and a commitment to wildlife preservation, we provide engaging experiences for visitors of all ages.

Why Work with Us:

At Nashville Zoo, we believe in taking care of our team just as well as we care for our animals. Full-time employees enjoy a robust benefits package designed to support your health, well-being, and future:

• Comprehensive healthcare coverage – including medical, dental, and vision plans to keep you and your family healthy.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – confidential support services for mental, emotional, and financial well-being.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company matching – helping you build a secure future while you make a meaningful impact today.
• Generous paid time off and sick leave – because rest and recovery are vital.
• Exclusive zoo perks – enjoy discounts on park experiences, retail, and food services, plus complimentary membership benefits.
• A collaborative and inclusive culture – be part of a diverse team where your voice matters, your growth is nurtured, and collaboration thrives across all departments.
• AZA-accredited facility – Nashville Zoo is committed to top-tier animal care, ethics and global conservation efforts.

Description:

Provides direction, supervision, and oversight to emergency medical, security, tram driver, and parking staff. Ensures all teams meet zoo standards for the protection of zoo assets and maintaining the park in a safe condition for our guests, employees, and animals.

Oversees, and is responsible for all first aid treatment and emergency response to guests and employees of the Nashville Zoo. Must use sound judgment in the analysis of emergency and non-emergency situations and react calmly and quickly under those circumstances. Provides appropriate follow-up information and documentation of any injuries and/or critical incidents.

Through direction from the Director of Environmental Health and Safety, provides support for the creation, implementation and maintenance of the Nashville Zoo Emergency Plan and Environmental Safety Programs. Performs weekly facility safety audits and ensures other safety equipment inspections are conducted.

Work hours vary with zoo daily operating hours and evening special events.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Ensures assigned staff execute emergency medical skills within their scope of practice.
• Maintain regular and reliable attendance
• Maintain professional conduct at all times and consistently model the organization’s values in all interactions with colleagues, guests, and stakeholders.
• Performs and ensures assigned staff execute emergency procedures as incidents require.
• Ensures the accurate and timely completion of all guest and staff medical and non-medical incident reports and forms - provides any necessary follow-up.
• Creates schedules for EMT, Security, Tram Driver, and Parking staff to ensure the park has the appropriate safety coverage.

Skills:

• Ability to effectively supervise assigned staff to ensure zoo policies, procedures, and protocols are being followed.
• Ability to self-direct work tasks while ensuring safety and productivity.
• Ability to work with general public and children while representing the Nashville Zoo in a positive manner.
• Ability to be an effective communicator in all circumstances to include highly stressful and emergency situations.
• Well-organized, quick thinking, and decisive.

Physical Requirements:

Staff must frequently stand and walk for most of an 8–10‑hour shift and regularly bend, kneel, reach, climb, and perform repetitive motions while cleaning, maintaining grounds, or performing facilities repairs. These roles require frequently lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling up to 50 lbs and occasionally heavier items with assistance, as well as safely navigating ladders, stairs, uneven surfaces, and wet or slippery areas. Adequate vision, hearing, hand dexterity, and clear communication are necessary to operate tools, equipment, vehicles, and radios safely. Work occurs both indoors and outdoors year‑round in all weather conditions, with routine exposure to dust, dirt, chemicals, cleaning agents, noise, and equipment vibration. Schedules may include early mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, and occasional overtime based on operational needs. The role must learn new tasks, remember processes, maintain focus, complete task independently, and make timely decisions in the context of a workflow. Position may involve using motorized vehicles and require adherence to established safety procedures.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. 

Education Requirements:

• Associates, or Bachelor’s Degree in a related field.

• State of Tennessee Security Officer License.

• State of Tennessee EMT Certification (is a plus – not required)

Experience Requirements:

• Minimum 2 years of supervisory or management experience.

• Law enforcement, fire service, emergency medical service, public safety, or military experience (preferred).

Other Requirements:

• Required to hold a current State of TN Guard Certification with Dallas endorsement.

Pre-employment requirements:

Nashville Zoo is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and maintains a drug-free work environment. All employment is at-will.

• All candidates are required to successfully complete a criminal background check and drug screening prior to hire.
• Pre-employment and annual tuberculosis (TB) screenings are a condition of continued employment.