Wildlife Research Assistant

Phoenix Zoo

Wildlife Research Assistant

Arizona Center for Nature Conservation (ACNC)/Phoenix Zoo

Wildlife Research Assistant - Summer 2026

Position Title:

Wildlife Research Assistant

Department: ACNC/Phoenix Zoo Field Conservation Research Department

Supervisor:
Field Research Project Manager

FLSA Status:
Part Time Temporary (up to 24 hours/week), 8 weeks (May
- July), Non-exempt

Pay: $18.50/hour

Duration/hours:
Up to 240 hours maximum; half in office, half remote (optional).

General Statement:

This part-time temporary position focuses on managing, organizing, and sorting wildlife camera and environmental data from the Atascosa Complex wildlife study in Arizona and projects in Costa Rica, assisting the Field Research Project Manager. The WRA will be exposed to the formal research process of question development, study design, and data collection.

Essential Duties:

* Participate in guest interaction in support of the ACNC's mission and goals.

* Manage wildlife data, including wildlife camera still images and videos, acoustic recorder/detection data, and environmental data.

* Follow training protocols to manage Excel sheets and record metadata on camera locations and information collected in the field.

* Successfully upload and back up data to provided servers and website platforms.

* Sort videos by following instructions on Sanderson's Camera Sweet method (resources provided) to transform the video data into usable-for-analysis information.

* Identify native Arizona wildlife, especially mammals.

* Make data easily accessible to other team members and ensure data is being processed efficiently.

* Maintain field research equipment.

* Participate in field conservation/research activities as assigned and as timing permits, under the supervision of Phoenix Zoo staff.

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 tasks be performed when circumstances change (e.g. emergencies, changes in personnel, workload, rush jobs, or technological developments.)

Qualifications:

* Current enrollment in a four-year degree track in life sciences with a minimum 30 credit hours completed; OR a four-year degree in life sciences.

* Keen attention to detail and experience with computer file/data management.

Experience with MS Windows environment, database entry (MS Excel) and word processing (MS Word) required. Ability to learn to use specialized computer programs for conservation and experience working with complex databases preferred.

* Ability to creatively troubleshoot technical issues and to problem solve.

* Demonstrated interest in wildlife research and conservation.

* Familiarity and previous experience with Arizona wildlife, especially mammals.

* Previous research and/or data management experience, particularly with wildlife camera data in Arizona.

* Ability to work well in groups and independently.

* Ability to bend, stoop, crawl and walk on uneven surfaces.

* Willingness and ability to participate in multi-day field work, including overnight camping in remote areas.

* Ability to work indoors and outside, often in extreme weather conditions.

* Ability to pass pre-employment background check and drug test.

Additional Details/Requirements:

* Candidates must complete the ACNC/Phoenix Zoo application no later than 5/20/2026.

* A cover letter explaining interest in the program and any experience with research and/or conservation efforts must be submitted within the application.

* An unofficial transcript & resume must be submitted with the application.

Salary

$18.5 / Hour

How to Apply

Apply on our careers page:

Phoenix Zoo

455 N Galvin Pkwy

Phoenix, AZ 85008