Facility

Aga Rear and Release program – Rota – San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation and Research

Closing Date

Description

The San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research is seeking a qualified and motivated Research Assistant to participate in daily husbandry, artificial incubation, hand rearing, and pre-release behavioral observations of endangered Aga or Mariana Crow (Corvus kubari) at the Aga Rear and Release Program facility on Rota Island in the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI).

The Aga Rear and Release Program is one part of the larger Hawaiian Endangered Bird Conservation Program which runs two conservation breeding facilities in Hawaii for critically endangered Hawaiian birds, and conducts release efforts for the ‘Alalā (or Hawaiian Crow). As part of the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research, our Rota facility is a crucial component of intensive conservation and reintroduction efforts for critically endangered avian species in the Pacific. The successful applicant will join a small team responsible for incubating and hatching wild eggs collected on Rota, hand rearing the resultant chicks, behavioral observations, and daily husbandry of the birds that have been successfully reared.

Responsibilities may include: conducting artificial incubation and hand-rearing; observing and recording behaviors of the release candidates with respect to anti-predator behaviors and other behaviors associated with a successful release candidate; assisting with veterinary care; preparing and provisioning food; cleaning and perching aviaries; detailed record keeping; entering and managing data; maintaining aviaries,

facilities, equipment, and grounds; and other duties as assigned. Representative qualifications include, but may not be limited to: a Bachelor’s degree in any of the animal sciences (or equivalent vocational experience in animal husbandry); at least one year’s experience working with birds in an institutional position while responsible for bird care; familiarity with artificial incubation and hand-rearing of passerines; experience collecting data for a research project involving animal behavior or ecology; practical skills and experience that are useful for aviary and facility maintenance; valid driver’s license and in good standing with the DMV. Ability to identify birds by colored leg bands is preferred.

This position will require working with federally listed endangered species, and all applicants must meet U.S. Fish and Wildlife requirements for permits. Start date for this position is February 2018. Scheduled hours will be approximately 40 hours per week. Flights to and from Rota at the beginning and end of the position, housing on island, and access to program vehicles will be provided by the SDZG.

Education and Pre-requisites

One of the essential functions of this position is the ability to drive a SDZ Global vehicle. If you are offered employment in this position, you will be asked to authorize SDZ Global to access your current driving report through the DMV’s Employer Pull Notice Program. Your hiring for this position will be contingent on SDZ Global receiving an acceptable driving report from you. In addition, your continued employment in the position will depend on you maintaining an acceptable driving record. You may obtain a list of conditions that disqualify a person from driving an SDZ Global vehicle from a Human Resources Representative.

Compensation and benefits

Not specified.

Application instructions

Applications must be submitted online by 9:30pm Pacific Standard Time

How should the candidate apply: Go to the San Diego Zoo Jobs website (http://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/jobs), choose SDZ Institute and the job title: Research Assistant – Recovery Ecology / Rota Island