Wildlife Conservation Society Reviews

Pros

The environment is wonderful, nothing like seeing animals on a daily basis.

Cons

The salary sucks for some, not for the higher-level staff (of course). The management needs help.

Advice to Senior Management

If you are very dedicated to the mission, do not work in the Development department. Try Global Conservation.

Pros

Seeing animals - especially those that are highly endangered - every day is a wonderful feeling. The amount of time off is a great plus; the other benefits are just okay.

Cons

This review is specific to the development office, which is inexplicably called "Global Resources." It may make sense to an outsider, but within WCS, everything with the word "Global" in it refers to our Global Conservation Programs. So no one understands the name and most people simply refuse to call the department anything other than "Development."

Morale is positively awful. An associate (who left after a only year) literally told me she felt that she was working on a chain gang. You will be underpaid and overworked. Even recent salary increases within the department were, to quote the head of the department, "...meant to get us at least closer to market." But still, no where near market. The other departments loathe Global Resources, which makes them uncooperative and often flat-out nasty; it's difficult to accomplish anything in a timely fashion. Global Resources and the other departments like to spend time bickering over things like: do we use WCS's or WCS'? Seriously, I've been involved in entire conversations revolving around this. We tried to get a mentorship program off the ground and planning took nearly a year. However, that failed because everyone who was part of the "stakeholder" group working on the program ended up leaving.

Promotions seem to be mostly arbitrary and inexplicable. They do not hire internally for anything other than lateral positions. Most people who want to stay at WCS have to end up applying to other departments (mostly Global Conservation) because there is no way to advance within Global Resources.

Pros

This organization has an admirable mission and does fantastic work. It has been around for more than one hundred years (it was formerly known as the New York Zoological Society or NYZS). WCS is in a relatively stable financial position and will not go "belly up" the next time its endowment takes a hit - so your position is probably safe unless the stock market repeats its 2008 fall.

As a full-time employee, your benefits will be excellent. The health insurance is fantastic, the vacation, sick, and holiday time are generous, and you get access to the CIRS retirement plan - which means that when you leave, if you go to another CIRS organization the 401k and other related benefits go with you.

To a certain extent, you will receive the psychic benefit of working for a good cause. If you work on-site, you'll be able to visit the zoo or aquarium animals during your lunch break and will work in surprisingly beautiful surroundings.

Having WCS on your resume is a plus because it's such a large, mature, and well-respected organization. If you are talented at picking up new skills on your own, you will gain valuable experience for the next step in your career.

Cons

These cons are necessarily specific to a department that has pervasive problems: Global Resources (the fundraising/development department). In fact, if you ask about this department in the fundraising/development circle, you will hear about some of its more infamous incidents.

You will benefit from having WCS on your resume. What you will not benefit from, in all likelihood, is any kind of on the job training. New employees are expected to flounder their way along until they figure out how to use the donor database and other necessary hardware and software. It will probably take a few months to figure out who reports to who outside of the department, and in particular "who's the assistant for that VP?" An employee handbook has been in the works for quite some time now.

Morale tends to be extremely low, which shows in the exceptionally high turnover. The department often has upwards of 6 open positions, some of which have been vacant for months as the hiring process is often quite slow. While there is room for upward movement, it is usually among those employees who are already mid-level within the department.

Promotions tend to be non-transparent and inconsistent; while some employees receive them with no apparent effort or increase in workload, others are given specific tasks to accomplish...and then the run-around for months until they tire of the process and leave for another department or another organization altogether.

Professionalism and respect are both spotty; many employees receive little indication that they are valued for anything other than the particular task they are performing. For the most part, your time and effort are not particularly important to anyone but yourself, and unless you fit into the "easy promotion" category mentioned above, extra effort won't mean much for your salary, either. If you are VERY lucky, your supervisor might actually fight for you and help you develop your potential.

Transparency and communication are huge issues. The department has a problem with both intra- and inter-departmental communication, such that employees tend to hear important pieces of information through the grapevine. Department executives have trouble making decisions in a timely manner, so much so that they at times seem paralyzed for months by the thought of making the wrong decision.

Last, but not least: you will be underpaid, unless you're close to the top of the "food chain". Then you will be generously compensated for your work.

Advice to Senior Management

Learn from your mistakes: this department makes the same mistake over and over again, without ever taking real steps to remedy the situation for next time. Your employees are leaving you in droves, surely there's a reason and a remedy.

Be transparent: a little communication goes a long way.

Train your managers and correct them when necessary: the capability of the department's mid-level managers is really very inconsistent. Some will, as mentioned above, fight for their employees. Others will treat their underlings so poorly that your other employees will comment.

Be decisive: I get it. It's hard to make a fast decision when so much is riding on it. But paralysis only breeds discontent and a lack of confidence among the people you supervise.

Pros

The idea you will help the world, animals, make a "difference" in some small way. Think again.

Cons

Just not worth it! You will be taken advantage of and treated poorly as shown by others here at Glassdoor.com & similar sites. People are disposable and not even "recyclable".

Advice to Senior Management

Do not make promises you cannot (or intend not) to keep. That is just plain hurtful in every aspect to your new employee.
There is a reason why on employee contract that says "You can be terminated at any time." Are bells going off?
The facade of caring for conservation and wildlife does not -- in any way, shape or form, -- translate to caring for, treatment or fairness of employees. Maybe even legally. Those who have been there for two decades or more have a reserved spot but their spots are shaking, too, by arrogance. The rest of the "lowers" are food for a crow (or the Birds of Prey).
Future employees and desperate people looking for a job -- ANY job -- there is a distinct possibility that working for WCS will only ruin your self-esteem and time. Think before you decide upon an interview. Do your research. Read what other people say on this site and others before you decide to between WCS and an organization with a much better record for treating employees right.
And if you have advanced degrees..........do not be seduced by the idealism of helping the plant. Your efforts will in no way save the world (nor yourself). Find a more reputable organization with proof of "fair play" to spend your energy and time.

Pros

If you love animals and great people, this is the place to be. The management sucks.

Cons

Upper management sucks. They never talk to the people that work in a certain building or animal. Most are only out for themselves.

Advice to Senior Management

Treat your employees like you would like to be treated.

Pros

The Wildlife Conservation society does give you experience and training in the retail/food departments. They give you an informative cash class as well as an informative packet regarding cashier responsibilities that you can use in other retail environments. You will meet alot of friendly employees that you can build friendships with. Additionally, once you work there for at least two months, you are given free passes to the zoo for your friends and family.

Cons

The supervisors are not professional, the pay in comparison for the work and time you put in is unreasonable and favortism as well as the use of profanity is rampant. Hours given to sales associates are limited and inconsistent, therefore you will have a two week pay period where you can make $250 and the next pay period could be $40.

Advice to Senior Management

I think employees should be treated better and payed more than the mininmum. There should also be confidential surveys to screen how the supervisors treat employees as well as if they are even competent enough to hold their position.

Pros

Good part time for students during the summer, benefit of getting in Wildlife Conservation Society parks for free, good managers

Cons

Schedule was not set in stone: highly dependent on the weather and number of park visitors, few opportunities for growth

Advice to Senior Management

good job, management was flexible with scheduling and days off, also good training for selling skills and customer service was provided

Pros

Great global programs and organization recognition.

Cons

Hierarchical structure; lack of respect for younger employees; resistance to change and new ideas; lack of teamwork.

Advice to Senior Management

Directors would benefit from management classes and software training. Job descriptions are often not reflective of responsibilities assigned.

Pros

Organizations mission, goals, and diversity.

Cons

Surrounding location. Finding a place to live nearby is not easy

Advice to Senior Management

Keep employees informed of changes.

Pros

They represent a great cause.

Cons

Lack of professional growth; lack of leadership; no support system for employees that may encounter on-the-job issues.

Advice to Senior Management

Stay up-to-date with information technology and societal change. Accept that hew hires do have added value to the department and the society.