Animal Welfare Research Coordinator

Job Description

Join the Conservation & Science team at the Oklahoma City Zoo as our next Animal Welfare Research Coordinator
, where cutting‑edge research meets hands‑on impact in advancing animal wellbeing! If you’re passionate about turning data, training, and enrichment into real improvements for animal care while collaborating with zoo experts, this is your chance to make a wild difference.

Employment Status: Full‑Time

FLSA Status: Exempt

Starting Pay Rate: $53,351.00 - $66,689.00

Experience

Required:

Minimum 1 year experience designing and conducting animal behavior and/or welfare research. Previous research experience in an AZA‑accredited zoo or aquarium setting is preferred in at least one of the following areas: animal behavior, endocrinology, health, data science.

Minimum

Education Requirements:

Master’s degree in psychology, biology, zoology, anthropology, or related field, particularly with a focus in animal behavior, health, or welfare science. Graduate degree may be substituted for relevant experience at an AZA‑accredited institution. Doctorate degree preferred.

Department: Conservation, Education, & Science

Direct Supervisor: Curator of Research

Supervisory Responsibility: Direct (0);
Indirect (0)

Primary

Work Location:

Zoo setting, both indoors and outdoors.

Certification: Valid Oklahoma driver’s license and completion of Health and Safety Institute training within 30 days of hire.

Other: This position is safety sensitive. It is subject to pre‑employment and/or periodic background checks and drug testing. This position works around animals susceptible to specific respiratory diseases, thus is subject to annual tuberculosis testing. First consideration to applications will be given to applicants who apply on or before February 27th at 5pm.

Job Summary: The Conservation and Science department is responsible for guiding development and continuity of the Oklahoma City Zoo’s (OKC Zoo) behavioral husbandry, research, and conservation programs across all departments. One of the department’s goals is to continuously improve animal wellbeing through innovative, data‑guided training, enrichment, and welfare programs. Systematic research (including behavioral monitoring) is used to inform animal management and wellbeing.

Under general supervision, the role of the Animal Welfare Research Coordinator supports OKC Zoo’s mission by developing, managing, and evaluating applied animal welfare and research activities aimed at improving care of Zoo animals and advancing scientific understanding about animal wellbeing. This role will collaborate with scientists, curators, and veterinarians in animal husbandry and health care management to ensure animal wellbeing;

contribute to the development of the animal wellbeing program through staff development in the form of continued education; and assist in the development of zoo animal welfare philosophy and policy.

Essential Job Functions

• Design and conduct research on zoo animal welfare, analyze data, and communicate results through internal and external channels, including peer‑reviewed publications.
• Coordinate applied animal welfare research‑related activities in conjunction with the Curator of Research and animal management teams.
• Create, refine, and maintain new and existing databases to oversee data analysis and dissemination, using accessible reports, especially via Power BI dashboards and SharePoint.
• Prepare data summaries, visualizations, and briefing documents to support evidence‑based discussions and decision‑making by the Zoo’s Animal Wellbeing Committee.
• Engage with the zoo and aquarium and broader scientific community to exchange new and best practices, ensuring the highest possible standards for OKC Zoo animal welfare programs.
• Translate scientific principles of behavior and welfare to practical applications by helping teams analyze and understand the motivations behind behaviors, address undesirable behaviors, and create solutions to…