Seasonal Community Science Field Technician

Seasonal Community Science Field Technician

Job Summary
The Community Science Technician will support all of John Ball Zoo’s community science projects throughout the season. This work includes conducting turtle, bat, and sucker surveys around West Michigan, and helping to facilitate this work for program volunteers. The technician will also assist the Habitat Hero program by participating in all aspects of the program, from potting plants to distributing plants s seasonal position reports to the Conservation Manager and may work under the direction of the Community Science Coordinator.

The typical schedule will be Monday‑Friday for 8 hours daily but will include weekend and evening work activities.

• Lead volunteers in the potting of plants for the Habitat Hero program
• Assist in the rearing and processing of Monarch butterflies
• Distribute native plants during events at John Ball Zoo and community events
• Conduct visual surveys for suckers, bats, and monarch butterflies
• Assist in data entry and analysis for all community science projects as needed
• Perform other duties as assigned

• Work in various indoor and outdoor environments, possibly exposed to inclement weather and temperature variations.
• Exposure to mechanical hazards, noxious fumes, blood borne pathogens, cleaning compounds, solvents, detergents, and noise.

• Navigate entire zoo grounds to access workstations.
• Push, pull, raise, and lower supplies and equipment weighing up to 50 lbs.
• Remain stationary, perform frequent movements, or remain mobile for several hours during shifts.
• Communicate effectively and exchange information accurately.

• ZOO Membership during employment ($135 value)
• Free bus passes
• Scholarship opportunities
• Free lunches ($100 value)
• Incentive opportunities for close encounters and behind‑the‑scenes tours
• Penguin feeding, brown bear encounter, and more!
• Tickets to special events
• Lantern Festival and more!
• Reward–based incentives
• Free food, discounts at retail store, zip line, rope course, and camel rides
• Flexible scheduling (student & retiree friendly)
• Personal & professional development opportunities
• Easy application

• Affinity for the mission and values of John Ball Zoo.
• Ability to work outside in a variety of conditions.
• Ability to collect, record, and report field data.
• Ability to work safely in a variety of local communities.
• Valid Michigan driver’s license.
• Constructive interaction with a wide range of community members, both internal and external to the zoo.

Preferred, but not required:

• Experience safely handling wild turtles.
• Experience working with volunteers and/or the general public in a scientific setting.
• Experience identifying native wildflowers and pollinator species.
• Experience working with Monarch butterflies.
• Conversational Spanish.
• Experience with GIS programs.
• Experience with Kaleidoscope.

John Ball Zoo is a drug‑free workplace under federal regulations. Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at John Ball Zoo by 2x.

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