Conservation Monitoring Scientist

Zoo Careers•Seattle, WA

9d•Hybrid

About The Position

More than 1.3 million people visit Woodland Park Zoo each year. We connect people with wildlife and remind them of what’s at stake in our changing world. Our job is to motivate people to take action and provide them with the tools needed to join us in saving endangered species. Working for the zoo means upholding our mission, “To save wildlife and inspire everyone to make conservation a priority in their lives.” Apply today and show us how you zoo.

Requirements

Advanced degree in conservation, natural resource management, data sciences, monitoring and evaluation, geography, or related fields.
Minimum three (3) years of professional experience in conservation monitoring, data analysis, system development, and field-based ecological research.
Experience with protected area management and/or community-based conservation programs.
Proven ability to lead international fieldwork, facilitate cross-cultural collaboration, and manage scientific partnerships.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, GIS software, and monitoring tools like SMART, Vortex, and demographic modeling platforms.
Experience in multi-stakeholder environments, with strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Successful applicants must live and work in Washington State to perform this role.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a valid WA driver's license with a safe driving history.

Nice To Haves

Ability to speak a language in addition to English.

Responsibilities

Lead the development and refinement of adaptive monitoring strategies across Woodland Park Zoo’s (WPZ) field conservation programs, including participatory methods, community engagement, and multi-level data analysis.
Oversee program work plans for the Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program (TKCP), particularly in relation to monitoring and protected area management in the YUS Conservation Area.
Design and implement monitoring protocols for target species, utilizing tools such as population viability analyses, Vortex, MetaModelManager, and other modeling platforms.
Facilitate workshops and stakeholder engagement processes that align conservation priorities with IUCN and government recovery goals as well as community-defined success measures.
Support and evaluate protected area management systems, advising on opportunities for better alignment and integration across governance levels.
Review and implement best-practice tools and methodologies for ecological and social data collection, including GIS and SMART.
Lead or coordinate field research projects to address knowledge gaps in species monitoring, threat assessment, and land-use change.
Collaborate with WPZ’s Animal Care teams and conservation partners to align in-situ and ex-situ programs, including species reintroduction and One Plan Approach efforts.
Manage data integration across internal and external systems (e.g., ZIMS, partner databases), ensuring consistency in conservation reporting and evaluation.
Maintain and build scientific and technical partnerships with universities, conservation NGOs, and government agencies.
Represent WPZ in key international forums and working groups, including the SMART Network and IUCN Species Specialist Groups.
Contribute to the development of monitoring-related fundraising and grant proposals, donor reports, and scientific publications; develop and assist in the preparation of technical and operational reports.
Support the refinement of WPZ’s conservation monitoring and evaluation framework, research agenda, and strategic plan results chains.
Travel regularly to domestic and international field sites, conservation partner locations, and conferences.
Actively support and follow the mission, values, and goals of Woodland Park Zoo and the Field Conservation department.