Love animals? Want to make a positive impact on the planet? Come join Woodland Park Zoo as a Community Science Specialist. We have one, full-time, benefitted positions open.
Accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, award-winning Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle is famed for pioneering naturalistic exhibits and setting a standard for zoos all over the world. The zoo is helping to save endangered species in Washington State and around the world. By inspiring everyone to make conservation a priority in their lives, Woodland Park Zoo is making a difference in our planet’s future.
Under its Living Northwest Program, Woodland Park Zoo maintains an active suite of projects focused on conservation science. As a wildlife-focused organization located in a large urban center, Woodland Park Zoo is in a unique position to lead local urban ecological research, and to leverage our broad reach to engage a diverse audience. Woodland Park Zoo currently leads research and monitoring on carnivores and amphibians across Seattle’s urban-to-rural gradient, collecting and sharing data that no other entity is gathering at this region-wide scale. Furthermore, we are democratizing wildlife conservation science by inviting our communities to join us in collecting data on breeding amphibians, on carnivore presence within and adjacent to human communities, on urban and suburban bats, and on urban biodiversity in general.
As part of our Living Northwest strategy, we develop, implement and expand community science opportunities to 1) generate valuable monitoring and other data to help elucidate population trends of species within our Living Northwest portfolio and 2) impact participants’ knowledge, attitudes and behaviors regarding biodiversity and thus increasing participant’s self-efficacy, interest in the environment and the likelihood that they will take ongoing pro-biodiversity and pro-environmental actions. New technologies afford us the opportunity to achieve these goals in innovative ways, engaging community science volunteers both in the field and online.
Responsibilities of this position are focused on facilitating public participation in conservation research and monitoring efforts that are part of Woodland Park Zoo’s Living Northwest program (www.zoo.org/livingnorthwest). Key activities include community science program design and evaluation; community science volunteer recruitment, training, tracking, mentoring, ongoing engagement, and recognition; and equipment management, data quality, data management and data analysis. These efforts include urban carnivore monitoring through wildlife camera traps and public reporting, Amphibian Monitoring through egg mass surveys of local wetlands, bat activity surveys, biodiversity observations during the annual Seattle-Tacoma City Nature Challenge and other programs to be explored and developed.
The ideal candidate will be a collaborative, detail-oriented and enthusiastic professional with experience in facilitating public participation in scientific research (also known as citizen science and/or community science), science or conservation education and communications, wildlife field research, project and data management, and volunteer coordination. Personal experience as a citizen/community science volunteer is also valuable.
SUMMARY
This position facilitates public participation in conservation research and monitoring efforts that are part of the zoo’s Living Northwest program.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:
- Design, develop, and implement community science programs and activities in collaboration with other zoo staff and external partners to meet identified outcomes.
- Develop and deliver training in collaboration with other zoo staff and external partners to engage volunteers in collecting wildlife monitoring data. Support volunteers in data collection and management tasks, encourage ongoing motivation and participation, and ensure data quality.
- Support initiatives aimed at engaging zoo staff in volunteer science projects, both locally and internationally.
- Lead and mentor program volunteers and interns.
- Perform logistical duties to include: register participants, process payments, volunteer tracking, maintain records and databases, and help to develop and maintain a “clearinghouse” of conservation volunteer opportunities within the region.
- Maintain and track program equipment, materials, and supply inventories.
- Assist with collection and reporting of statistics and writing program reports.
- Compile data and import/enter into relevant databases, format and package data for collaborative projects and data sharing, and summarize and visualize data.
- Maintain geographic information system (GIS) data and layers, create maps, and conduct spatial analyses.
- Create and share on reports with donors for community science projects.
- Identify potential donors and assist with the development of proposals to support community science activities.
- Provide technical and logistical support for local wildlife research efforts.
- Develop and present talks to interest groups both on and off zoo grounds.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Master’s degree in wildlife ecology, conservation biology, data science and analytics, psychology, sociology, or other social science or natural science field two (2) or more years of experience in facilitating public participation in scientific research (citizen/community science), science/conservation education, and/or communication or advocacy; and/or an equivalent combination of education and experience and/or training.
- Valid Washington State Driver's License. Ability to drive an automatic vehicle confidently and competently in both Seattle and outlying areas including highways, inner-city, and rural outskirts of the city.
- Proficiency in applying quantitative research skills, including experience with administrative data sets, databases, and data collection and management.
- Geospatial data analysis skills. Experience with GIS software including managing geographic databases and layers, map creation, and spatial analysis.
- Familiarity with or the ability to learn conservation technologies, such as wildlife camera traps, acoustic monitors, and online data reporting tools.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, ability to incorporate different perspectives, and work with diverse populations and stakeholders (staff, partners, volunteers, visitors, etc.).
- Ability to present programming to a wide variety of audiences and to mentor presenters, interns, and volunteers.
- Proficient and experienced in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams. Ability to work with customized databases and technology and to conduct internet research.
- Ability to listen patiently and attentively, ability to express self clearly and effectively, and ability to adapt communication based on audience and purpose with inclusivity.
- Ability to employ best practices associated with position, with an approach to accuracy, while displaying an on-going commitment to learning and self-improvement.
- Ability to work independently as well as within diverse teams and environments, while treating everyone with respect.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Excellent organizational skills with the ability to balance and prioritize multiple tasks and requests and meet deadlines in a professional manner.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects with high energy and creative problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work a non-standard/flexible schedule, which may include weekends and some evenings and holidays.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS
- General knowledge of natural history and conservation.
- Ability to speak a language in addition to English. Spanish or Chinese is a plus.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- This position is occasionally required to hike up 1-2 miles/day in forested, uneven, hilly habitats, and highly variable weather conditions.
- This position may be required to lift/move up to 35 pounds regularly and up to 50 pounds occasionally.
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to perform essential functions.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to a typical office environment, outdoor weather conditions, and forested uneven, hilly terrain. The noise level in the work environment varies by location but is usually moderate.
Employment Requirements:
Applicants must be at least 18 years old. A criminal background check and driving record review will be required of the selected applicant.
COVID-19 Vaccination
- As of November 24, 2021, employees working on or accessing zoo grounds are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If hired, you will be required to submit proof of vaccination by your first day of employment.
- People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a two-dose series or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine.
- Employees may make requests for a reasonable accommodation based on a medical disability or for sincerely held religious beliefs. Philosophical, political, scientific, or sociological objections to vaccination will not be considered for an exemption or accommodation.
Pay: $58,000 Annually plus benefits
Application Directions: Applications are accepted online through our Jobs Page at zoo.org/jobs; no other forms of application will be accepted. Cover letter and resume are required.
Woodland Park Zoo is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in application and employment for any reason, including race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, age, disability or medical status including genetic information, and/or veteran’s status.
Woodland Park Zoo is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in all of its services. If you need accommodation in the application or interview process, please contact our recruiting team at careers@zoo.org.
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