Facility

San Francisco Zoo & Gardens

Closing Date

Description

The San Francisco Zoological Society (“Society”) is a non-profit institution that manages and raises funds for San Francisco Zoo and Gardens (“Zoo”). The Society’s mission, supra, is summarized as the 3 c’s: to connect our visitors with wildlife so that they care about nature and ultimately conserve it. The Society’s leadership team is comprised of a President & Executive Director as well as a professional team of Senior Managers. The Society endeavors to meet or exceed the standards of its industry peers, including those established by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (“AZA”). For over 25 years, the Society has been continuously accredited by the AZA.

Upholds the Society’s mission, core values and other policies/procedure outlined in the Employee Handbook and elsewhere.

SUMMARY: The San Francisco Zoological Society is recruiting a Wellness and Conservation Research Associate to join an experienced staff committed to best practices and the highest quality of care for our animals. The Research Associate will support the VP of Wellness & Animal Behavior and the Wellness Research Manager or their designees with their research and in continuing the San Francisco Zoo’s innovative “Wellness Initiative.” This initiative elevates the visibility and the priority of zoo animal welfare, by facilitating applied studies at the zoo, reporting the findings in scholarly publications, at national and international meetings and interpreting our science to the zoo-going public. The Research Associate will assist in developing a research program aimed at assessing and ensuring the wellness and conservation of apes and will play a key role in continuing and further developing animal welfare monitoring of all animals that live at the Zoo. The Research Associate will be expected to be a part of an integrated Wellness team – working with all members of a multi-departmental team.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Research and other Duties – approximately 90%

1. Support ongoing and new animal welfare monitoring and interpretation. Plays a key role in meeting AZA welfare standards.

2. Responsible for planning, organizing, and conducting collaborative and/or directed research projects.

3. Responsible for planning, organizing, and conducting independent and new innovative research projects.

4. Oversee and perform the development, updating and conducting of research procedures and methodology to achieve desired results. Keep abreast of relevant research and technology developments.

5. Oversee and perform the collection, management, tabulation and analysis of data, including monthly summaries, for assigned research. This includes the observation of animals in animal areas.

6. Assist in the development of new applied animal behavior protocols, technology-based environmental enrichment and habitat modifications.

7. Oversee the tabulation and analysis of data for research reports and presentations at professional meetings and in scientific publications.

8. Write and/or edit summaries for Animal Program staff.

9. Perform literature searches, and review applicable literature.

10. Supply science-based reasoning to support evaluation of daily tasks at the zoo – animal training, animal care, etc.

11. Train, mentor and provide guidance to, and supervise Wellness Department Interns and students.

12. Conduct occasional presentations to zoo-going public and provide learning opportunities for Zoo staff.

13. Collaborate with SF Zoo Staff and colleagues in other organizations, to support and foster the SF Zoo’s Wellness Initiative.

Publication Duties – approximately 10%

1. Publish papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals and popular literature.

Additional Responsibilities

1. Interact with Zoo staff and animal husbandry personnel in a professional and courteous manner consistent with the Zoo’s core values and mission statement.
2. Interact with Zoo visitors courteously and offer proper attention at all times.
3. Perform other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements and qualifications listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS: Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. Experience in the behavioral study of apes strongly desired.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: The ideal candidate will have graduate training in data collection techniques, observation methodologies, experience in coordination of data collection by others, research analysis and procedures, planning, organizing, and conducting collaborative or independent research projects, and the supervision of others. Graduate training in animal behavior research is required.

EDUCATION, TRAINING & QUALIFICATIONS: The candidate will have recently obtained a Ph.D. in Biology, Animal Behavior, Zoology or other relevant field. He or she will be knowledgeable about governmental regulations applicable to research and animal wellness. Proficient with Microsoft Office, including Word, Outlook and Excel is required. Proficiency with Microsoft Access preferred. Typing skills are a plus. The right candidate must be able to master electronic equipment and technical information. Strong written and oral communication skills and strong follow-up, follow through skills are a must. Solid interpersonal skills and the ability to work well with others is a requirement. In addition, the candidate must be able to work independently and have the ability to prioritize tasks effectively.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands and talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to stand and walk. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions including inclement weather.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to potentially hazardous animals.

TO APPLY: Please apply via our web site at www.sfzoo.org. Please attach a cover letter with your resume.

Education and Pre-requisites

Not specified.

Compensation and benefits

Not specified.

Application instructions

Please apply via our web site at www.sfzoo.org. Please attach a cover letter with your resume.