Rocky Mountain Field Technician

Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance (DZCA) honors our animals, staff, and guests by conducting ourselves at the highest level of integrity through our Core Actions -- Inspire Awe: Safety, Care, Connect, and by embracing our Core Values of: Welcoming, United, Curious, Courageous and Transformative in all that we do.

This early-career conservationist plays a key role in supporting field conservation projects across the Colorado Rocky Mountains. The majority of their time will be spent conducting field research for DZCA’s local conservation and community science initiatives. Beyond fieldwork, the Technician will develop volunteer resources, help share the story of DZCA’s conservation efforts, and gain hands-on experience. This role offers opportunities to build new skills, engage with diverse thought leaders and institutions, and establish a foundation for a career in conservation, ecology, natural resources, or a related field.

This is a seasonal position with a variable schedule: approximately 20-40 hours per week in May, 40 hours per week from June through September, and 20-30 hours per week in October. 

Based in Denver, this role requires frequent travel to mountain field sites several hours from DZCA, including multiday overnight camping trips. All fieldwork will be conducted in a DZCA vehicle. The office-based work will be a mix of remote and in-person on campus, with expectations set by the supervisor.

Our team is made up of passionate and diverse professionals dedicated to providing excellent care for our animals while creating meaningful experiences for our guests. If you're excited to contribute your skills in a collaborative and innovative environment, Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance is the place for you!

To be considered, please submit a cover letter sharing your interest in the position.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Implement research and community engagement activities in support of Colorado wildlife conservation projects. 
• Conduct rigorous fieldwork and data collection in the Colorado Rockies.
• Lead groups of volunteers in the field (including backcountry settings) while ensuring the safety and comfort of all participants.
• Support the field team to recruit, train, and manage community science volunteers.
• Assist with inventorying and preparing field equipment and planning fieldwork & engagement events.
• Create and improve volunteer resources and documents.  

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist with data organization and quality control.
• Help to share the story of DZCA’s local field conservation. This includes updating the team, participating in outreach events, creating content, and giving presentations for internal and external audiences. 
• Represent partnerships and projects to volunteers, colleagues, and the broader community professionally and positively.
• Other assistance, as designated by the Colorado Conservation Coordinator, to support the overall goals of the department and organization.  DZCA retains the right to add or change duties and/or responsibilities at any time.
• Operate within the program budget, and report program revenue and expenditures according to zoo policies. Act as a good steward of DZCA’s resources.
• The nature of this position requires safeguarding against the release of confidential and proprietary information of Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance.
• This position will interact with staff members at all levels across the organization, in addition to members of external organizations, media, volunteers, and the public.  

Technical / Professional Requirements & Qualifications

• Completion of a high school degree or equivalent required, coursework in a biological science or conservation-related discipline preferred, or any equivalent combination of education and/or experience. 
• Experience with sustained physical exertion at high altitudes (10,000 ft) required. 

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:  

• Interest in pursuing a career in a conservation-related field and passionate about DZCA’s mission to save wildlife, particularly in Colorado. 
• Ability to drive to and work in high-altitude mountainous field sites and work irregular hours under physically demanding conditions.
• Ability to hike up to 12 miles a day over variable terrain at high altitudes.
• Experience engaging or educating members of the public or volunteers and enthusiastic to support community science volunteers.
• Some experience with data collection and the scientific process.
• Basic computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience being responsible for the safety of others, particularly in a backcountry setting, is a plus.
• Some experience navigating and using GPS in the backcountry preferred.
• Comfort with all-terrain driving and/or 4WD experience is a plus.
• Requires organizational skills, written and oral communication skills, attention to detail, and ability to prioritize work and tasks. Requires adaptability to produce and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, multi-task, and changing environment, and the ability to work as part of a team. 
• Requires the ability to embrace, support, and integrate DZCA philosophies to promote and demonstrate its commitment to diversity, inclusion, equity, and anti-racism.

Position Conditions 

• Ability to pass a background check and pre-employment drug and alcohol screen.
• This position requires the ability to work in outdoor conditions and hot weather for up to 10 hours a day.
• Ability to lift to 50 lbs.
• The technician will be required to hike at altitude on variable terrain for up to 12 miles. Fieldwork can involve hiking on or through steep slopes, unsteady rocks, dense vegetation, wetlands, and burned forests. Fieldwork will generally be between 8,000 and 12,000 ft in elevation, but will at times reach above 14,000 ft. Occasionally, this will also involve carrying heavy field equipment. Tent camping for single and multi-day trips will occasionally be required.
• The technician will be required to drive DZCA vehicles in a variety of conditions, including early in the morning, late at night, in mountainous and/or off-road terrain, and sometimes unfavorable weather conditions. 

• Schedule Availability: Willingness to work irregular hours under physically demanding conditions, including occasional overnight and multiday trips. 

• Licenses/Certifications: Colorado Class “R” Driver’s License on hire with a clean driving record. Experience with wilderness medicine is a plus; applicants must be willing to get trained for Wilderness First Responder certification.  

• Work Location: This position is based in Denver, but field work will require time spent in the mountains across western Colorado, including occasional multi-day overnight trips. Office-based work will be a hybrid of remote and in-person on campus as determined by the supervisor.

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $20.00 - $21.00 (hourly).

Benefits

This is a seasonal position and as such is not eligible for benefits at this time; however sick time is accrued.

Application Process and Timelines

We’d love to hear from you! To be considered, please submit a cover letter sharing your interest in the position. Application deadline: March 19th, 2025. Review of applications will begin immediately.  DZCA reserves the right to close the position prior to this date. 

Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

www.denverzoo.org

Salary : $20 - $21