Conservation Monitoring Scientist

About the role

The annual starting pay is structured to be competitive and may extend up to the $88,088.00 midpoint of the annual range, reflecting our commitment to offering competitive compensation to qualified candidates.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and refinement of adaptive monitoring strategies across Woodland Park Zoo’s (WPZ) field conservation programs, including participatory methods, community engagement, and multi-level data analysis.
• Oversee program work plans for the Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program (TKCP), particularly in relation to monitoring and protected area management in the YUS Conservation Area.
• Design and implement monitoring protocols for target species, utilizing tools such as population viability analyses, Vortex, MetaModelManager, and other modeling platforms.
• Facilitate workshops and stakeholder engagement processes that align conservation priorities with IUCN and government recovery goals as well as community-defined success measures.
• Support and evaluate protected area management systems, advising on opportunities for better alignment and integration across governance levels.
• Review and implement best-practice tools and methodologies for ecological and social data collection, including GIS and SMART.
• Lead or coordinate field research projects to address knowledge gaps in species monitoring, threat assessment, and land-use change.
• Collaborate with WPZ’s Animal Care teams and conservation partners to align in-situ and ex-situ programs, including species reintroduction and One Plan Approach efforts.
• Manage data integration across internal and external systems (e.g., ZIMS, partner databases), ensuring consistency in conservation reporting and evaluation.
• Maintain and build scientific and technical partnerships with universities, conservation NGOs, and government agencies.
• Represent WPZ in key international forums and working groups, including the SMART Network and IUCN Species Specialist Groups.
• Contribute to the development of monitoring-related fundraising and grant proposals, donor reports, and scientific publications; develop and assist in the preparation of technical and operational reports.
• Lead the refinement of WPZ’s conservation monitoring and evaluation framework, research agenda, and strategic plan results chains.
• Travel regularly to domestic and international field sites, conservation partner locations, and conferences.
• Actively support and follow the mission, values, and goals of Woodland Park Zoo and the Field Conservation department.

  Requirements

  • Advanced degree in conservation, natural resource management, data sciences, monitoring and evaluation, geography, or related fields.
  • Minimum three (3) years of professional experience in conservation monitoring, data analysis, system development, and field-based ecological research.
  • Experience with protected area management and/or community-based conservation programs.
  • Proven ability to lead international fieldwork, facilitate cross-cultural collaboration, and manage scientific partnerships.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, GIS software, and monitoring tools like SMART, Vortex, and demographic modeling platforms.
  • Experience in multi-stakeholder environments, with strong communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to speak a language in addition to English (preferred).
  • Live and work in Washington State to perform this role.
  • Must be at least 18 years old and have a valid WA driver's license with a safe driving history.

    Qualifications

    • Ability to speak a language in addition to English (preferred).
    • Advanced degree in conservation, natural resource management, data sciences, monitoring and evaluation, geography, or related fields.
    • Minimum three (3) years of professional experience in conservation monitoring, data analysis, system development, and field-based ecological research.
    • Experience with protected area management and/or community-based conservation programs.
    • Proven ability to lead international fieldwork, facilitate cross-cultural collaboration, and manage scientific partnerships.
    • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, GIS software, and monitoring tools like SMART, Vortex, and demographic modeling platforms.
    • Experience in multi-stakeholder environments, with strong communication and interpersonal skills.
    • Valid WA driver's license with a safe driving history.
    • Lives and works in Washington State.
    • At least 18 years old.
    • Valid WA driver's license with a safe driving history.

    Skills

    • Strategic conservationist with a strong science and data foundation.
    • Deep familiarity with protected area management, ecological fieldwork, and working collaboratively with diverse communities and stakeholders.
    • Skilled researcher and analyst.
    • Systems thinker and effective collaborator.
    • Organized, adaptable, and mission-driven.

    Benefits

    • Medical, dental, and vision HMO and PPO plans for you and eligible dependents.
    • 11 paid holidays and 4 personal holidays.
    • Accrue 12 vacation days and another 12 days of sick leave your first year.
    • Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
    • Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
    • Tuition reimbursement.
    • Free zoo membership that includes zoo admission and discounts after 90 days.
    • 4 complimentary tickets per year plus other discounts and perks.
    • Free staff parking.
    • 403(b) Retirement Plan.