Conservation Technician I & II

Department: Conservation and Science

Supervisor: Conservation and Science Manager

Supervises: None

FLSA Status: Full Time, Regular, Non-exempt

Starting Pay Rate: Conservation Technician I: $23.70/hour

                                Conservation Technician II: $24.89/hour

We are actively recruiting a Conservation Technician. Level dependent on experience. Applicants must upload a resume as well as a cover letter explaining interest in the position and any prior experience with conservation, research, field work, and/or animal husbandry.

General Statement:

Conservation Technician I:

This position is based at the Phoenix Zoo's Johnson Conservation Center and works with eleven native species from a broad range of taxa, including black-footed ferrets, narrow-headed gartersnakes, pygmy-owls, desert fish, springsnails, and more. The Conservation Technician I is responsible for maintaining the safety, health and well-being of all assigned conservation specimens through the performance of documented husbandry practices, especially husbandry of animals reared specifically for release to the wild. This position assists in training volunteers and interns, participates in field conservation and research activities, provides support for conservation partnerships as assigned, and participates in guest interaction in support of the ACNC’s mission and goals. 

Conservation Technician II:

This position is based at the Phoenix Zoo's Johnson Conservation Center and works with eleven native species from a broad range of taxa, including black-footed ferrets, narrow-headed gartersnakes, pygmy-owls, desert fish, springsnails, and more. The Conservation Technician II is responsible for maintaining the safety, health and well-being of all assigned conservation specimens through the performance of documented husbandry practices, especially husbandry of animals reared specifically for release to the wild. This position assists in training of new staff and volunteers, participates in field conservation activities, provides support of conservation partnerships as assigned and participates in guest interaction in support of ACNC’s mission and goals. 

Essential Duties:

Conservation Technician I:

1. Provide quality guest service to both internal and external guests by maintaining a WILD (friendly, helpful, positive and professional) working attitude and appearance. 
2. Follow all animal servicing and safety guidelines, performing routine husbandry by feeding prescribed diets; monitoring and reporting diet consumption consistent with documented Standard Operating Procedures; observing and reporting any health or behavioral abnormalities of specimens, administering prescribed medication to specimens, and assisting veterinary staff in carrying out health monitoring and assessment.
3. Observe, document, and report any structural or mechanical problems. Perform minor repairs and interact with maintenance staff as needed and as assigned.
4. Participate as assigned in non-routine health and husbandry activities such as animal transports, animal introductions/breeding, restraint and treatment of animals, and the medication of specimens.
5. Respond to animal emergency circumstances according to approved protocols.
6. Participate in appropriate field conservation activities as assigned (e.g., surveys, field transport, reintroductions/translocations, habitat improvement projects).
7. Participate in the collection and analysis of data from ex situ and in situ activities.
8. Work collaboratively with other staff and departments to meet the Zoo’s and Conservation Center’s overall goals, participating as appropriate with Learning & Engagement, Events, Development, Marketing and PR.
9. Assist the Conservation and Science Manager and Senior Technicians with written reports and field equipment checks.

Conservation Technician II:

1. Provide quality guest service to both internal and external guests by maintaining a WILD (friendly, helpful, positive and professional) working attitude and appearance. 
2. Follow all animal servicing and safety guidelines. Perform routine husbandry by feeding prescribed diets, monitoring and reporting diet consumption consistent with documented Standard Operating Procedures, observing and reporting any health or behavioral abnormalities of specimens, administering prescribed medication to specimens, and assisting veterinary staff in carrying out health monitoring and assessment.
3. Perform routine maintenance of facilities by maintaining animal care protocols and reporting any structural or mechanical problems; provide support in the development of facility plans and assessment; assist in routine inventory of supplies, notifying supervisor/manager of replenishments completed or needed.
4. Participate as assigned in non-routine health and husbandry activities such as animal transports, animal introductions/breeding, and restraint and treatment of animals.
5. Respond to animal emergency circumstances according to approved protocols.
6. Assist Conservation and Science Manager and Senior Conservation Technician(s) in training new staff and volunteers, ensuring appropriate knowledge and understanding of section Standard Operating Procedures and that established training protocols are followed by staff and volunteers.   
7. Participate in appropriate field conservation activities as assigned (e.g., surveys, field transport, reintroductions/translocations, habitat improvement projects).
8. Participate as appropriate in AZA, national, and/or global conservation efforts (e.g., studbook keeper, species coordinator, or taxa-focused conservation group(s) member, etc.)
9. Work collaboratively with other staff and departments to meet the Zoo’s and Conservation Center’s overall goals, participating as appropriate with Learning & Engagement, Events, Development, Marketing and PR.
10. Conduct presentations regarding Johnson Center animal programs and goals. Initiate engagement and interaction with guests in support of the Zoo’s conservation mission.
11. Participate in the collection and analysis of data from ex situ and in situ activities and assist Director of Conservation and Science with development of publications.
12. Assist the Conservation and Science Manager and Senior Technicians with written reports and field equipment checks.
13. Serve in specialized departmental roles as assigned by supervisory staff (e.g., behavioral enrichment liaison, volunteer liaison, safety officer, etc.).

This is by no means an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, or working conditions associated with the job. Management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed when circumstances change (e.g. emergencies, changes in personnel, workload, rush jobs, or technological developments.)

Conservation Technician I:

1. Bachelor’s degree in life sciences required.
2. One year of experience in work relevant to animal husbandry, field biology, and/or conservation laboratory research, including 6 months of animal husbandry experience preferred.
3. Interest in conservation biology, research, and field work.
4. Knowledge of and experience using laboratory equipment and tools, including microscopes, water chemistry analysis tools, etc., preferred.
5. Ability and willingness to camp overnight for multiple days required, if needed for field work.
6. Strong verbal and written communication skills required.
7. Ability to engage and communicate with the public to share conservation and scientific messages.                     
8. Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
9. Ability to bend, stoop, crawl and walk on uneven surfaces, repetitively bend and reach for cleaning purposes, and climb ladders.
10. Ability to work indoors and outdoors, often in extreme weather conditions, and hike multiple miles.
11. Possession of a valid driver’s license.
12. Ability to pass pre-employment background check, drug test, DMV check, and clear annual tuberculosis test.
13. Ability to learn to operate a 4-wheel drive vehicle and tow a trailer set-up if needed.
14. Ability to learn to use specialized computer programs for animal husbandry, reproduction, and research.
15. Demonstrated ability to work well with others and independently.

Conservation Technician II:

1. Bachelor’s degree in life sciences required.
2. Minimum of two years full-time paid relevant husbandry experience or part-time equivalent thereof (Master’s degree in a related biological field may be substituted for one year of experience).
3. Demonstrated ability to effectively train staff following established training protocols.
4. Experience with laboratory equipment and tools such as microscopes, water chemistry analysis tools, etc.
5. Ability and willingness to camp overnight for multiple days required, if needed for field work.
6. Strong oral and written communication skills required.
7. Ability to engage with the public to share conservation and scientific messages.
8. Experience participating in wildlife-related field work.   
9. Experience collecting data for scientific research.                 
10. Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
11. Ability to bend, stoop, crawl and walk on uneven surfaces, repetitively bend and reach for cleaning purposes, and climb ladders.
12. Ability to work indoors and outdoors, often in extreme weather conditions, and hike multiple miles.
13. Possession of a valid driver license.
14. Ability to pass pre-employment background check, drug test, DMV check and clear annual tuberculosis test.
15. Ability to learn to operate a 4-wheel drive vehicle and tow a trailer set-up if needed.
16. Ability to learn how to use specialized computer programs for animal husbandry, reproduction, and research.
17. Demonstrated ability to work well in groups and independently.