TITLE: Conservation Monitoring Scientist
SALARY & FLSA: $80,168.40 - $105,705.60 per year; FLSA exempt
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.
OPENING DATE: 07/10/2026
CLOSING DATE: 07/24/2026 (This position may close early or be extended depending on how many qualified applications are received.)
JOB TYPE: Regular, Full-time
UNION: Non-Represented
OPENINGS: 1
LOCATION: Hybrid (on grounds 2-3 days/week and remainder work remotely). Frequent international travel is a requirement for this role.
DEPARTMENT: Wildlife Conservation
This position requires frequent international travel, occasionally for multiple weeks at a time.
HOW DO YOU ZOO?
More than 1.3 million people visit Woodland Park Zoo each year. We connect people with wildlife and remind them of what's at stake in our changing world. Our job is to motivate people to take action and provide them with the tools needed to join us in saving endangered species. Working for the zoo means upholding our mission, "To save wildlife and inspire everyone to make conservation a priority in their lives." Apply today and show us how you zoo.
WHO YOU ARE
As our new Conservation Monitoring Scientist, we know you will be successful in this role because:
- You're a strategic conservationist with a strong science and data foundation: You hold an advanced degree in a relevant field and bring experience designing and implementing robust monitoring systems across complex ecosystems. You have deep familiarity with protected area management, ecological fieldwork, and working collaboratively with diverse communities and stakeholders.
- You're a skilled researcher and analyst: You confidently design species monitoring protocols, conduct demographic modeling, and manage ecological and social datasets. Tools like Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool (SMART), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Vortex, and MetaModelManager are already in your toolkit, and you're comfortable interpreting complex data for both technical and community audiences.
- You're a systems-thinker and effective collaborator: You thrive at the intersection of strategy and fieldwork, connecting monitoring insights with adaptive management and long-term conservation outcomes. You work with government agencies, NGOs, and academic partners to ensure alignment, integration, and innovation.
- You're organized, adaptable, and mission-driven: Whether you're developing a ranger patrol system in Papua New Guinea, preparing a grant report, or facilitating a multi-stakeholder workshop, you balance detail-oriented precision with big-picture vision, always keeping species recovery and community priorities front and center.
YOUR PRIMARY 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.
- Support 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.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Ability to speak a language in addition to English.
QUALIFICATIONS
- 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.
- Successful applicants must live and work in Washington State to perform this role.
- Applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a valid WA driver's license with a safe driving history.
BENEFITS
- The Woodland Park Zoo offers a comprehensive benefits package for full time staff including:
- 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
SELECTION PROCESS
Application: Please include a resume and cover letter with your application through our Zoo Careers site at zoo.org/jobs. Please be sure to list or upload copies of all relevant training and certifications on your application. The zoo may review existing application pools to fill this position or use this pool to fill future vacancies.
This opportunity is open to all candidates that meet the qualifications. Woodland Park Zoo values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The zoo encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, 2SLGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences. Woodland Park Zoo is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in all its services. If you need accommodation in the application or interview process, please contact our recruiting team at careers@zoo.org.
Screening: We will review applications and select some candidates for screening calls. Final candidates will be invited for virtual or in-person interviews.
Offer: Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process including the completion of a background check. In addition, this role requires the applicant to successfully complete a: driving record review.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
