Scientific Aide

Description

Pay rate: To maintain internal equity, we have identified the pay rate for this position at the Oakland Zoo as $20.43 per hour, in alignment with Oakland Zoo’s compensation philosophy. An offer at this pay rate will be our best and final compensation offer.  

Note: This position will initially work on the amphibian recovery programs onsite at Oakland Zoo, but may assume other roles in the future. It is a part-time, regular position that is funded externally, and so may end when the project and funding is complete. The typical schedule for this position is three to four half-days (4-hours/day) per week (12-16 hours/week); additional hours may be scheduled based on availability and need.  

Position Summary 

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. 

Essential Job Duties 

• 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 which may include some or all of the below: 

1. 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. 
2. 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. 
3. 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. 
4. 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. 

Ancillary Job Duties 

• 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. 

Supervisory Responsibility: 

• Supervises interns, students, and volunteers in AWR programs, as needed. 

Who you are: 

• 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. 

Bonus if you have: 

• 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.). 

Work Environment - Environmental or atmospheric conditions commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job. 

• Must be able to work outside in all weather conditions, indoors in a wet lab environment, and open office environments. 
• Will be required to work with animal waste, live food, chemicals, and disease pathogens using provided PPE. 
• Must work in moderate noise levels such as produced by filtration equipment. 
• 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. 

• Able 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 a minimum of 50 lbs. (i.e., feed sack) and move a minimum of 120 lbs. (i.e., hay bale). 
• Able to walk long distances on uneven terrain in variable environmental conditions (e.g., steep, muddy, etc.). 

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.