Scientific Aide

Oakland Zoo•Oakland, CA

7h•Onsite

About The Position

The Scientific Aide actively supports and participates in wildlife rescue and recovery programs within our Animal Welfare and Research (AWR) department under Animal Care, Conservation and Research (ACCR). The Scientific Aide provides technical assistance for assigned programs within AWR, including collection and analysis of research data in the laboratory or the field; attending to the needs of animals, plants, and/or biological samples in managed care and/or to community members; and other wildlife recovery, rescue, and research program activities. This position may oversee the daily tasks of interns, students, and volunteers and is under the direct supervision of the Wildlife Recovery Program Manager and reports to the Director of Animal Welfare and Research, ACCR.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in conservation biology, ecology, sociology, or discipline relevant or related to the research being conducted.
Valid driver’s license and clean driving record required.
Experience with science communication or interpretation of scientific concepts.
Some experience in rescue, recovery, or research methodology and equipment, particularly those used in the assigned area of biological research, species/samples care, diagnostics, or social science.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of the habits and hazards of working with wildlife in captive and field environments; willingness to work with some physical risk while observing proper safety precautions.
Training in methodology and equipment used in the assigned area of biological research, animal care, diagnostics, social science, or science communication.
Involvement in the wild animal profession outside of the Zoo (professional organizations, field work, activism, etc.).

Responsibilities

Provides the basic daily and routine needs of AWR animal welfare, wildlife rescue and recovery, research, and other research projects to meet laboratory, diagnostic, monitoring/tracking, data processing and stewardship, and similar research project activity requirements.
Conduct sweeps of nesting areas in the Downtown Oakland area to monitor or collect fallen hatchlings and transport them to a designated rehabilitation facility; will also collect deceased herons and egrets, engage the community about our conservation efforts serving as an Oakland Zoo representative.
Assist in species rescue, headstarting, propagation, and genetic management through routine care and management tasks for animals, plants, or biological samples within the Biodiversity Building to ensure optimal conditions of the experimental organisms.
Assist in field research and recovery programs including visual encounter and transect surveys, setting and collection of live capture and camera traps, animal handling and measurement of wild animals, and other experimental tasks associated with collection of biological, botanical, and wildlife material and data in the field.
Assist in social science research as it relates to species coexistence and human-wildlife interactions/conflict through conducting, reviewing, and auditing case reports; extract and code information from structured interviews and questionnaires; assist with model parameterization; and similar qualitative research based on subject material.
Aid in gathering, recording, assembling, and/or manipulating qualitative and quantitative data for new, ongoing, or independent research projects in coordination with Sections in ACCR and Zoo departments, welfare and research partners, universities, and students.
Assist with the care and maintenance of equipment, supplies, vehicles, and facilities for AWR programs, specifically within and around the Biodiversity Conservation Center.
Assist with data management, analyzing data, and interpreting research findings to revise procedures and inform decisions as necessary to achieve desired results.
Ensure good communication with AWR staff, supervisor, and Director of AWR.
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.
Supervises interns, students, and volunteers in AWR programs, as needed.