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/CV in addition to a cover letter explaining interest in the position and any prior experience with animal husbandry, field work, and/or laboratory research.
General Statement:
Conservation Technician I:
This position is based at the Phoenix Zoo's Johnson Conservation Center and works with ten 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:
- Provide quality guest service to both internal and external guests by maintaining a WILD (friendly, helpful, positive and professional) working attitude and appearance.
- 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.
- Observe, document and report any structural or mechanical problems. Perform minor repairs and interact with maintenance staff as needed and as assigned.
- 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.
- Respond to animal emergency circumstances according to approved protocols.
- Participate in appropriate field conservation activities as assigned (e.g., surveys, field transport, reintroductions/translocations, habitat improvement projects).
- Participate in the collection of research data for analysis as needed.
- Work collaboratively with other staff and departments to meet the Zoo’s and Conservation Center’s overall goals, participating as appropriate with Education, Events, Development, Marketing and PR.
- Assist the Director of Conservation and Science with writing and/or summarizing data for reports (annual reports, species updates, etc.).
Conservation Technician II:
- Provide quality guest service to both internal and external guests by maintaining a WILD (friendly, helpful, positive and professional) working attitude and appearance.
- 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.
- 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.
- Participate as assigned in non-routine health and husbandry activities such as animal transports, animal introductions/breeding, and restraint and treatment of animals.
- Respond to animal emergency circumstances according to approved protocols.
- 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.
- Participate in appropriate field conservation activities as assigned (e.g., surveys, field transport, reintroductions/translocations, habitat improvement projects).
- 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.)
- 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.
- Conduct presentations regarding Johnson Center animal programs and goals. Initiate engagement and interaction with guests in support of the Zoo’s conservation mission.
- 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.
- Assist the Conservation and Science Manager and Senior Technicians with written reports and field equipment checks.
- 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.)
