Colorado Conservation Coordinator

Denver Zoo is a leader in animal care, wildlife conservation, and education. We are passionate about our commitment to excellence in support of our mission to secure a better world for animals through human understanding.  

Denver Zoo 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, Curious, United, Courageous, and Transformative in all that we do. 

The Colorado Conservation Coordinator implements Colorado-based wildlife conservation programs through community engagement and scientific research and by coordinating fieldwork logistics and the participation of community science volunteers in conservation projects. The coordinator will support several projects, with the primary focus of this position being Denver Zoo’s conservation projects in the Rocky Mountain region of Colorado.

Our staff is a dedicated and diverse group of individuals committed to providing quality care to our animals while creating moments of awe for guests.  If you are a like-minded individual and thrive in a dynamic, fast paced and innovative culture, Denver Zoo is the place for you!

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Implement conservation research and community engagement activities for Colorado wildlife conservation projects, ensuring actions are strategically aligned with zoo and departmental priorities and standard operating procedures, as well as maximizing conservation impact and outcomes.
• Conduct rigorous field work in the Colorado Rockies. Lead groups of volunteers in the field while ensuring the safety of all participants.
• Supervise, train, lead, and foster growth of field technicians and internal part-time project assistants and contributors.
• Recruit, train, and manage community science volunteers.
• Coordinate logistics of local field conservation projects, including purchasing & inventorying field equipment, coordinating vehicle use, and planning field work & other events.
• Create and manage volunteer and scientific databases and assist with data analysis. Create, organize, and maintain volunteer manuals, protocols, field gear, scientific equipment, safety supplies, permits, and itineraries.
• Liaise and collaborate effectively with key internal and external partners to ensure shared understanding and achievement of conservation goals.
• Contribute to the strategic planning and evaluation of local projects to ensure alignment with Denver Zoo strategy, partners’ shared goals, and best practices for field research, effective community science, and inclusive community engagement.

Other Responsibilities and Duties

• Conduct quality control of data, prepare data for analysis, and assist with analysis.
• Create and maintain systems to ensure wildlife conservation projects are conducted safely, efficiently, and effectively.
• Assist with program grant proposals, reports, and community outreach including delivering presentations, developing newsletters and other regular updates for internal and external audiences, and contributing to media opportunities.
• Represent partnerships and projects to volunteers, colleagues, and the broader community in a professional and positive manner.
• Other assistance, as designated by the Colorado Field Conservation Project Manager, to support the overall goals of the department and organization. Denver Zoo retains the right to add or change duties and/or responsibilities at any time.
• Supervise field technicians and internal part time project assistants and contributors.
• Input to annual program budget development, operate within program budget, and report program revenue and expenditures according to zoo policies. Act as a good steward of Denver Zoo’s resources.
• The nature of this position requires safeguarding against the release of confidential and proprietary information of Denver Zoo.
• This position will interact with managers at all levels and staff members across the organization, in addition to members of external organizations and the public.

Technical / Professional Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in wildlife ecology, conservation or in a related field, or any equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• Experience coordinating projects with multiple stakeholders in a related field; experience working in a nonprofit and with conservation in the Rocky Mountain West preferred, or any equivalent combination of experience, lived experience, and/or special skills.
• Expertise in ecology, data management and field research.
• Effective project management and strong critical thinking skills.
• Effective leadership skills.
• Expertise coordinating volunteer logistics and leading engaging volunteer programs.
• Experience maintaining effective partnerships with both internal and external collaborators.
• Comfortable hiking for extended periods and navigating in the backcountry at high altitudes.
• Experience developing content for and producing public awareness materials, such as brochures, newsletters, and websites.
• Ability to communicate complex scientific information to a lay audience.
• Comfortable teaching, conducting public outreach programs, and leading groups in the field.
• Proven computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite are necessary.
• Supervisory experience is a plus.
• Comfort with all-terrain driving and/or 4WD experience is a plus.
• Requires excellent 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 independently and as part of a team. Good negotiation skills and the ability to handle sensitive information with diplomacy are preferred. Must be an outstanding communicator and considered to be a developer of people who is comfortable motivating, collaborating, and working with a broad cross section of people in direct and matrixed relationships.
• Experience applying an equitable analysis to all duties to achieve organizational goals and demonstrate the Denver Zoo’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, equity, and anti-racism preferred.

Position Conditions

• Ability to pass a physical examination, background check and pre-employment drug and alcohol screen.
• Clear driving record
• Ability to lift up to 50lbs.
• The coordinator will be required to hike at altitude on variable terrain for up to 12 miles. Field work can involve hiking on or through steep slopes, unsteady rocks, dense vegetation, wetlands, and burned forests. Field work will generally be between 8,000 and 12,000ft. in elevation, but will at times reach above 14,000ft. Occasionally, this will also involve carrying heavy field equipment. Tent camping for single and multi-day trips will occasionally be required.
• Schedule Availability: Willingness to work irregular hours under physically demanding conditions, including occasional overnights, especially during the summer field season.
• Licensure and Certifications: Experience with wilderness medicine a plus; applicants must be willing  to get trained to Wilderness First Responder certification.
• Work Location: This position is based in Denver, but field work will require time spent in the mountains across Colorado, including occasional overnights especially during field season months. Office-based work will be a hybrid of remote and in-person work at Denver Zoo as determined by the supervisor.

Compensation

Range for this position is $22.83-$27.97 (hourly).

Benefits

This is a full-time position with excellent benefits including medical, dental and vision benefits; life insurance; short term and long-term disability; 403(b) retirement plan; and vacation and sick leave.