Note: This is a part-time position based at San Joaquin National Wildlife Refuge, with some travel to Rancho Cordova. Funding is currently for the fall season, September through December, up to 450 hours. This position will work for a 12-week season and be scheduled with alternating field and non-field weeks as follows:
- Field weeks: Up to five days per week, structured as: Monday: sunset shift only, Tuesday–Thursday: both sunrise and sunset shifts, Friday: sunrise shift only. Tuesday - Thursday would be split shifts.
- Non-field weeks: one to two days of remote work
Pay rate: The pay rate for this position at the Oakland Zoo is $24.78 per hour, in alignment with Oakland Zoo’s compensation philosophy. An offer at this pay rate will be our best and final compensation offer.
Position Summary
The Scientific Technician actively supports and participates in wildlife rescue, recovery, or welfare advocacy programs within our Animal Welfare and Research (AWR) department under the Animal Care, Conservation and Research (ACCR). These positions are typically funded through grants and so may have a defined end date.
The Scientific Technician provides technical assistance for the Riparian Brush Rabbit Recovery Program in and around San Joaquin National Wildlife Refuge. This position will primarily assist interorganizational teams (CDFW, USFWS) with trapping and vaccination efforts for endangered riparian brush rabbits. This position is under the general direction of the AWR Program Manager and reports to the Director of Animal Welfare and Research, ACCR. The Scientific Technician also oversees broader aspects of assigned program(s), data quality control, makes experimental or managed care decisions, contributes to technical reports and journal articles, attends laboratory meetings, engages in discussions on novel research and interpretation of research results, and presents research findings at technical meetings and professional societies.
Essential Job Duties
- Under supervision from Oakland Zoo, and guidance from CDFW and USFWS, assist inter-organizational team with trapping and vaccination program for endangered riparian brush rabbits.
- Bait and set Tomahawk style live traps for rabbits in evenings and use handheld GPS unit to record locational data.
- Check traps in morning and document species of animal captured or if trap is empty.
- While wearing appropriate PPE, safely perform examinations, determine age and sex, collect measurements and biological samples, and administer a vaccination to RBR.
- Process (centrifuge, label and catalog) biological samples collected from captured rabbits.
- Disinfect and organize trapping and handling supplies daily, and ensure supplies are restocked between capture sessions.
- Assist with scheduling team members for trapping duty.
- Perform data entry to record all trapping associated data and locations of traps
- Responsible for daily and routine needs of assigned project(s); help design and execute studies in consultation with managers and other project scientists; provide feedback on aspects of the studies; provide data management and statistical support (e.g., help with collecting and summarizing data, assist in data analyses); and contribute to, edit, and provide information and feedback for annual and related reports and publications resulting from the work.
- Involved in animal use protocol reporting and compliance, as well as informing protocol development, and serve an active role in the implementation of AWR’s lab and field safety.
Ancillary Job Duties
- Assist with the care and maintenance of equipment, supplies, and facilities for AWR programs and partners, specifically within and around San Joaquin National Wildlife Refuge.
- Assist with interpreting research findings and revising procedures as necessary to achieve desired results.
- Ensure good communication online and onsite with CDFW (Sacramento and Regional), USFWS, partners, AWR staff, supervisor, Director of AWR and the public.
- Serve as a resource to AWR/ACCR, Zoo, and others on all aspects of assigned area of biological research, species/samples care, diagnostics, social science, or science communication.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibility:
Who you are:
- Bachelor’s degree in conservation biology, ecology, sociology, or discipline relevant or related to the research being conducted.
- Familiarity with the fundamentals of fish and wildlife management and ecology and general concepts involved in the assignment.
- Experience in field recovery, or research methodology and equipment used in the assigned area of biological research and species/samples care.
- Experience with science communication or interpretation of scientific concepts.
- Experience collecting laboratory and field data, making and recording accurate observations, summarizing and analyzing data, and writing clear, brief reports.
- Able to work with some physical risk while observing proper safety precautions.
- Able to work independently with minimal supervision while maintaining cooperative relationships with collaborators, staff, and partners.
- Valid driver’s license and clean driving record required. Must be able to drive for up to 8 hours in business vehicle throughout the state.
- Able to work outside of regular business hours, including weekends and holidays.
Bonus if you have:
- Knowledge of the habits and hazards of working with wildlife in captive and field environments.
- Involvement in the wild animal profession outside of the Zoo (professional organizations, field work, activism, etc.).
Work Environment - Environmental or atmospheric conditions commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job.
- Must be able to work outside in remote areas in all weather conditions, including heat and rain, and indoors in a wet lab environment.
- Will be required to work with live, sick, injured, and dead animals, animal waste, live food, chemicals, and disease pathogens using provided PPE.
- Must be able to work in environments with moderate sensory stimuli, such as produced by filtration equipment, dense urban environment, and open office environment.
- Must be able to work in isolation rooms that are heated to 80 degrees or chilled to 65 degrees.
Physical Considerations - The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
- Good physical condition with ability to walk long distances, crouch, stoop, crawl on stomach for 5-feet, scale hurdles up to 2.5 feet tall.
- Able to see and hear environmental hazards, focus on search parameters for up to 1.5 hours.
- Able to lift up to 40 pounds repeatedly throughout the day, hike long distances on uneven terrain and carry a 30 pound backpack for up to 10 hours in variable environmental conditions.
Knowledge/Skills/Qualities - May be representative, but not all-inclusive, of those knowledge, skills and abilities commonly associated with this position.
- Analytical and Conceptual Aptitude – engages in and facilitates broad organizational strategic thinking/planning with awareness of equity, inclusion, accessibility, and cultural relevance.
- Collaboration – builds trusting relationships with both internal and external stakeholders across our organization and community-wide and approaches differences of opinion with curiosity and humility.
- Communication – communicates respectfully and effectively with stakeholders across identities, both verbally and in writing.
- Dependability – demonstrates trustworthiness and reliability, including while working with little or no direct supervision.
- Flexibility – nimbly adapts to evolving priorities and urgent needs; handles intervals of high pressure while maintaining perspective and humor.
- Inclusive Culture – fosters a culture of mutual respect, transparency, collaboration and belonging which allows all employees to feel appreciated, included, and valued.
- Organization – strong attention to details and able to build and/or maintain efficient systems.
- Passion – wholeheartedly believes in, represents, and models Oakland Zoo’s mission and PRIDE values at all times.
- Sustainability – oriented toward the mission and values of Oakland Zoo and able to put those into practice by finding creative and resourceful ways to develop sustainable practices within your role and department.
- Technological Aptitude – able to quickly understand, develop and maintain functional digital systems.
- Time Management – strong capabilities with a demonstrated ability to effectively prioritize multiple commitments.
- Wildlife Aware – understands mission to support the conservation and welfare of animals at the Zoo, locally and globally. This is demonstrated by a willingness/passion to reflect this mission in all actions and to continue to learn how to take action for wildlife.
Benefits
Oakland Zoo offers part-time and seasonal employees a valuable benefits package, including an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Paid Sick Time, optional 403b Retirement Plan, and discounted Zoo Membership options. They also have access to various perks, discounts, and programs to enhance their overall experience.
