Zoological Conservation Assistant

The City’s Community Services Department is seeking a part-time Zoological Conservation Assistant (Zoological Assistant - H) to assist with the planning and implementation of its wildlife conservation program at the Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo.

The Junior Museum and Zoo is a local family destination that serves children, birth to age 8, through its science exhibits and zoo, and children to age 11 through its school programs and summer camps. Approximately 117,000 visitors enjoy the Museum and Zoo each year and 23,000 take part in its science lessons and field trips at the Museum, in local schools, and in local open spaces. The Junior Museum’s mission is to engage a child’s curiosity in science and nature, and its zoo works to support animal conservation efforts in natural spaces.

Animals at the JMZ provide children with age-appropriate examples of interesting adaptations, habitats, or wildlife conservation programs. Special installations bring children nose-to-nose with some animals, while other elements encourage imaginative play, support whole body movement, and stimulate multiple senses.

Zoological Assistants work with a team of colleagues, including Animal Care Specialists under the direction of a Curator and Zoo Director, all of whom are responsible for excellence in the care and wellbeing of the animal collection (60 species and 400 specimens) and associated landscapes and habitats. The animal collection includes, but is not limited to, arthropods, freshwater fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. The position helps provide all aspects of the daily care of the collection of exotic and domestic animals.

Desired Qualifications:

Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position, OR a combination of applicable education and experience. Applicable education and experience would consist of a certain number of years performing a similar job at a similar institution, and (potentially) educational pursuits that have supported that work.

Specialized Experience:

For this position, specialized experience is defined as applying biological facts, principles, methods, techniques, and procedures necessary for the care, study, conservation, or management of living animals. Relevant experience may include captive wildlife husbandry; conservation breeding, rearing, recovery, or release programs; animal monitoring and recordkeeping; animal training; maintenance of aquatic life-support systems; and/or horticultural practices. Experience working with native wildlife, threatened or endangered species, or conservation partners is desirable.

Work Schedule:

The incumbent will be required to work Fridays, Saturdays and/or Sundays, and some holidays.

This is an SEIU Hourly position with limited benefits. The position is budgeted to not exceed 999 hours per fiscal year (July - June). The number of hours per week and schedule will be determined based on assignment. In lieu of providing a medical plan, the City grants a medical stipend of $3.80 per hour of work.

Essential Duties

• Assists with wildlife conservation programs, including animal care, husbandry, monitoring, data collection, recordkeeping, habitat maintenance, and other activities supporting conservation breeding, rearing, recovery, or release efforts, as assigned.

• Provides routine husbandry for animals in the JMZ collection, including preparing diets, feeding, cleaning, and maintaining habitats, related structures, and surrounding landscape/plants.

• Performs daily animal observations and promptly communicates husbandry, behavioral, or health concerns to leadership and veterinary staff.

• Assists in maintaining appropriate animal welfare standards through enrichment, training support, and practices that encourage natural behaviors.

• Supports the care, maintenance, and operation of conservation-program facilities, equipment, and aquatic or terrestrial life-support systems, following applicable safety rules, regulations, and procedures.

• Contributes to public education, interpretation, and visitor experiences that foster curiosity about science, nature, wildlife, and conservation.

• Works closely with volunteers, partner agencies or organizations, and other museum/zoo staff, as assigned.

• Actively engages children’s curiosity for science and nature.

• Services and maintains tools and equipment.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Supplemental Information
Other requirements:

• Provide a negative TB Test result.

• Receive immunizations to guard against zoonotic diseases.

• Possess a valid California driver’s license.

• Incumbent subject to periodic medical screening.

Physical Demands:

The work includes long periods of standing, walking over rough terrain, crouching, reaching, and lifting items up to 60 pounds.

Working Conditions:

Much of the work is outdoors or within support buildings, under a variety of weather conditions, and there may be exposure to temperature and humidity extremes, animal pathogens, and irritants. The incumbent is exposed to bites, scratches, and animal waste, and may be exposed to animal parasites and zoonotic diseases. Part of the work is carried out in a typical office environment. Incumbent may travel to meetings and conferences and on animal shipments.

To support assigned conservation work, the selected candidate may be required to complete additional training and/or work at nearby Bay Area zoological facilities or other relevant partner organizations.