Department: Conservation and Science

Supervisor: Conservation and Science Manager

Supervises: None

FLSA Status: Part-Time (28 hours/week), Seasonal (6 months: Apr/May-Sept/Oct), Non-Exempt

Schedule: Typically 7 hours/day, four days a week (including Saturdays or Sundays), starting at 7:00am; different schedules apply for occasional assigned field work.

Starting Pay Rate: $21.50/hour

Application Submission Deadline: 1/12/2026

External applicants must upload a resume/CV in addition to a cover letter explaining interest in the position and any prior experience with animal husbandry, field work, and/or laboratory research. Current zoo employees applying for the position must email their resume/CV and cover letter to conservationjobs@phoenixzoo.org.

General Statement:

This is a six-month seasonal position starting in Spring 2026. The Conservation Technician Assistant is responsible for learning all aspects of the Chiricahua leopard frog conservation program, including maintaining the safety, health and well-being of all assigned animals by following documented husbandry practices. This position will also assist with aspects of other native species conservation programs, including husbandry, field work, research, and guest outreach.

Essential Duties:

• Provide quality guest service to both internal and external guests by maintaining a WILD (friendly, helpful, positive and professional) working attitude and appearance.
• Assist Johnson Conservation Center staff with routine Chiricahua leopard frog husbandry by maintaining life support systems and water quality, feeding prescribed diets, monitoring and reporting diet consumption consistent with documented Standard Operating Procedures, observing and reporting any health or behavioral abnormalities, and assisting in handling, restraint and treatment of animals, under appropriate supervision.
• Assist Johnson Conservation Center staff with daily care of other native species when needed, following Standard Operating Procedures.
• Assist Johnson Conservation Center staff with appropriate field conservation activities as assigned (e.g., surveys, field transport, reintroductions/translocations, habitat improvement projects). Camp overnight if needed for field conservation activities.
• Assist with Conservation & Science Department research projects as opportunities are available.
• Assist with guest outreach experiences and other communication activities, as appropriate and available.
• Conduct at least one presentation about research, fieldwork, and/or husbandry experiences.

This is by no means an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, or working conditions associated with the job. Management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed when circumstances change (e.g. emergencies, changes in personnel, workload, rush jobs, or technological developments).

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in life sciences completed by December 2025.
• Demonstrated interest in conservation science and applied conservation biology, as well as animal husbandry.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to bend, stoop, crawl and walk on uneven surfaces, repetitively bend and reach for cleaning purposes, and climb ladders.
• Ability to work indoors and outdoors, often in extreme weather conditions, and hike multiple miles.
• Ability and willingness to camp overnight for multiple days required, if needed for field work.
• Ability to work well with others and independently.
• Previous experience caring for non-domesticated animals in a professional, non-fieldwork setting required.
• Previous experience working with amphibians and/or aquatic animals preferred.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license.
• Ability to pass pre-employment background check, drug test, and DMV check, and clear a tuberculosis test.