Wildlife Research Assistant

$38,480 - $38,480/Yr

Phoenix Zoo - Phoenix, AZ

Part-time - Intern

Phoenix, AZ

Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions

About the position

The Wildlife Research Assistant internship at the Phoenix Zoo focuses on managing and organizing data from the Atascosa Complex wildlife study in Arizona. This part-time position involves refining database management, ensuring data accuracy, and facilitating data sharing among team members. The role provides exposure to the formal research process, including question development, study design, and data analysis, with a primary emphasis on data organization and photo/video sorting.

Responsibilities

• Provide quality guest service to both internal and external guests by maintaining a friendly, helpful, positive, and professional working attitude.
• Maintain, organize, and sort data from the Atascosa Complex Project, ensuring no data is lost.
• Properly 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 to transform video data into usable information for analysis.
• Identify native Arizona wildlife, especially mammals.
• Make data easily accessible to other volunteers and interns and ensure data is processed efficiently.
• Participate in appropriate field conservation/research activities as assigned and as timing permits, under the supervision of Phoenix Zoo staff.

Requirements

• Current enrollment in a four-year degree track in life sciences with a minimum of 30 credit hours completed; OR a four-year degree in life sciences completed within the last year.
• Keen attention to detail and experience with computer file/data management.
• Ability to creatively troubleshoot technical issues and 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.

Benefits

• Paid internship at $18.50/hour
• Flexible working hours (up to 24 hours/week)
• Exposure to formal research processes
• Opportunity to participate in field conservation activities