Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Zoology Assistant

🎯 Role Definition

The Zoology Assistant provides practical and scientific support for animal care, captive and wild population monitoring, specimen processing, and data management. Working under the supervision of zoologists, veterinarians, or senior researchers, the Zoology Assistant performs daily husbandry tasks, conducts behavioral and ecological observations, contributes to field and lab research, maintains accurate records, supports public education and outreach activities, and helps ensure compliance with animal welfare, permit, and biosafety protocols.

Common job titles with similar responsibilities include Wildlife Technician, Animal Care Technician, Field Research Assistant, Research Technician — Zoology, and Lab Assistant (Zoology).

This role is ideal for candidates seeking hands-on experience in zoology, a pathway into professional wildlife careers, or preparatory experience for graduate study in biology or veterinary science.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Undergraduate/graduate student internships in biology, zoology or wildlife programs
Volunteer or seasonal animal care positions at zoos, aquariums, or wildlife rehabilitation centers
Field technician or lab assistant positions in ecological or conservation projects

Advancement To:

Wildlife Biologist / Field Biologist
Senior Research Technician or Project Coordinator
Zookeeper / Animal Care Supervisor
Laboratory Manager or Collections Curator
Graduate study (MSc/PhD) leading to research scientist roles

Lateral Moves:

Environmental Educator or Outreach Coordinator
Conservation Field Technician
Laboratory Technician (molecular/ecological)
Permit & Compliance Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Provide daily animal husbandry for a diverse collection (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, or invertebrates) including feeding, bedding changes, enrichment implementation, and monitoring of general health and behavior, ensuring species-appropriate care and nutrition.
Conduct systematic behavioral observations and focal follows, record ethograms and activity budgets, and report behavioral anomalies or welfare concerns to the supervising zoologist or veterinarian.
Assist with capture, handling, tagging, weighing, measuring, and temporary restraint of wild or captive animals, applying safe handling protocols and humane restraint techniques under supervision.
Participate in field surveys and ecological monitoring (line transects, point counts, camera traps, mist-netting, pitfall trapping), accurately recording GPS coordinates, environmental conditions, and observational data.
Collect, label, preserve and transport biological samples (blood, tissue, fecal, hair, swabs) for diagnostic or research purposes, following chain-of-custody and biosafety procedures.
Support necropsy and post-mortem specimen preparation for pathology or museum collections, including dissection assistance, tissue sampling, fixation, and proper documentation for downstream analysis.
Prepare and maintain enclosures, exhibits, and field station infrastructure, perform routine cleaning, sanitation, and maintenance to uphold biosecurity and safety standards.
Maintain accurate animal records and databases (health records, feed logs, behavioral records, permitting documentation) and assist in entering and validating data in institutional or project databases and spreadsheets.
Monitor and maintain aquatic system parameters (temperature, pH, salinity, dissolved oxygen) for aquatic species and perform routine water quality testing and corrective actions as needed.
Assist veterinarians or veterinary technicians with routine health checks, treatments, medication administration, wound care, sample collection for diagnostics, and sedation/anesthesia support under authorized supervision.
Operate and maintain field and laboratory equipment (GPS units, telemetry receivers, camera traps, microscopes, centrifuges, autoclaves) and troubleshoot basic equipment issues; coordinate equipment calibration and preventive maintenance.
Support laboratory analyses including sample processing, slide preparation, staining, microscopic examinations, and basic molecular or serological assays as permitted by institutional policies.
Implement and document enrichment programs and breeding support protocols to promote natural behaviors, reproductive success, and animal welfare across species under care.
Contribute to experimental setup, field protocols, data collection, and quality control for ongoing research projects; follow study designs and ensure standardized data collection to support statistical analysis.
Assist with specimen accessioning, labeling, cataloguing, and storage for museum, teaching, or research collections; prepare specimens for long-term preservation, imaging, or analysis.
Provide logistics support for fieldwork including site reconnaissance, permit acquisition assistance, transport coordination, equipment packing, and health & safety risk assessments.
Train and supervise volunteers, interns, seasonal staff or students in routine animal care duties, data collection protocols, and safety procedures, promoting consistent practices and compliance.
Develop and deliver educational presentations, guided tours, and demonstration feeding sessions for public audiences, school groups, and volunteers to support outreach and interpretive programs.
Monitor compliance with institutional animal care and use policies, permit conditions, local/state/federal wildlife regulations and report non-compliance or incidents promptly to supervisors.
Prepare and maintain inventories of animal feed, veterinary supplies, field consumables and laboratory reagents; place supply orders, manage stock rotation, and help reconcile invoices and vendor communications.
Assist in the preparation of grant reports, data summaries, and species accounts by compiling relevant datasets, producing figures/tables, and proofreading contribution sections.
Participate in safety trainings, emergency response drills, and maintain up-to-date certifications (CPR, first aid, hazmat handling, animal restraint) as required by the employer.
Photograph and document specimens and field sites for records, outreach, and research purposes; maintain organized digital and physical archives with metadata for each asset.
Support captive breeding programs including nest checks, egg handling, chick/pup rearing, and monitoring reproductive parameters under the supervision of senior staff and veterinarians.

Secondary Functions

Assist with ad-hoc data requests and exploratory analysis for research teams; prepare cleaned datasets and summary tables for principal investigators.
Contribute to the organization's research strategy and long-term monitoring plans by providing field insights and feasibility feedback on proposed methods.
Collaborate with conservation partners, academic institutions, and government agencies to coordinate field projects, share data, and ensure permit alignment.
Participate in project planning meetings, fieldwork logistics, and agile-style sprints for research initiatives when projects operate on iterative timelines.
Support social media and content teams by providing species facts, behind-the-scenes photos, and short descriptions to promote conservation messaging and visitor engagement.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Animal handling and restraint techniques for diverse taxa (birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish) — safe, humane, and species-specific.
Animal husbandry and enrichment program implementation, including diet preparation and feeding protocols.
Field survey methods: transects, point counts, camera-trapping, mist-netting, live-trapping, pitfall arrays, and nocturnal surveys.
GPS navigation, basic GIS familiarity, and accurate spatial data collection and logging.
Sample collection and preservation protocols (blood, tissue, feces, environmental DNA), cold chain maintenance, and chain-of-custody procedures.
Basic laboratory techniques: microscopy, slide preparation, DNA extraction support, reagent handling, and sterile technique.
Data entry and management in spreadsheets and relational databases; strong Excel skills (pivot tables, formulas) and familiarity with database standards.
Use of telemetry equipment (VHF/GPS collars/receivers), camera trap setup and maintenance, and remote sensing tools.
Record-keeping and documentation for health records, permits, compliance logs, and research metadata.
Knowledge of animal welfare laws, institutional IACUC protocols, wildlife permits, and sanctuary/zoo regulatory compliance.
Basic diagnostic sample handling and assistance with necropsy procedures under supervision.
Equipment operation and maintenance skills for field and lab instruments (autoclave, centrifuge, water quality meters).
Experience with imaging equipment and specimen digitization (photography, scanning, imaging microscopes).

Soft Skills

Strong observational skills with attention to detail for behavioral and health monitoring and data quality assurance.
Clear written and verbal communication for reporting findings, writing SOPs, and delivering public education.
Teamwork and collaboration across multi-disciplinary teams (veterinary, research, education, operations).
Time management and organizational skills for balancing husbandry, fieldwork, and lab responsibilities.
Problem-solving and adaptability in dynamic field conditions and animal care situations.
Patience and empathy when working with animals, members of the public, students, and volunteers.
Instructional and mentoring ability to train temporary staff and interns in safe and standardized procedures.
Cultural sensitivity and professionalism when engaging with community partners and stakeholders.
Commitment to safety, ethical conduct, and continuous improvement in animal welfare practices.
Project coordination aptitude, including logistics, inventory management, and vendor communication.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Associate degree in Biology, Zoology, Wildlife Biology, Animal Science, Environmental Science, or related field; or equivalent practical experience in animal care or field research.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor's degree (BSc/BA) in Zoology, Wildlife Ecology, Conservation Biology, Animal Behavior, or a closely related discipline.
Graduate coursework or certifications in animal welfare, wildlife management, or laboratory techniques are a plus.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Zoology
Wildlife Biology / Ecology
Animal Science
Biology (general)
Conservation Biology
Veterinary Technology/Assisting

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0–3 years (entry-level to early-career), seasonal experience or internships welcome.

Preferred:

1–3 years of hands-on experience in animal care, fieldwork, or laboratory support at a research institution, zoo, aquarium, wildlife rehab center, or conservation NGO.
Demonstrated experience with field survey techniques, animal handling, and routine husbandry for relevant taxa.
Prior work with electronic data management systems, permit processes, and collaboration with veterinary teams is advantageous.

If you would like this job description tailored to a specific employer type (zoo, research lab, conservation NGO, aquarium, museum) or to include a competency checklist for candidate screening and interview questions, tell me which context and I will customize it.