Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Zoology Program Technician

🎯 Role Definition

The Zoology Program Technician plays a central role in implementing zoological research and conservation programs by providing high-quality animal care and husbandry, conducting standardized field surveys and laboratory procedures, maintaining habitats and equipment, recording and managing biological data, and ensuring compliance with permits and animal welfare protocols. This position supports researchers, veterinarians, and education staff in both captive and wild settings and contributes to population monitoring, specimen processing, and community engagement initiatives.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Seasonal Wildlife Technician
Animal Care Attendant / Kennel Technician
Research Assistant (biology/zoology)

Advancement To:

Senior Wildlife Technician / Lead Zoology Technician
Field Research Coordinator or Program Coordinator
Conservation Biologist / Wildlife Biologist
Laboratory Supervisor or Veterinary Technician (with credentialing)

Lateral Moves:

Environmental Education Specialist
Habitat Restoration Technician
GIS/Telemetry Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Provide daily animal husbandry for a diverse range of species (birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, or invertebrates), including feeding, cleaning, environmental enrichment, behavioral monitoring, and maintaining accurate care logs to support welfare and research outcomes.
Conduct standardized field surveys and systematic population monitoring (point counts, transects, live trapping, camera traps, mark-recapture) to collect high-quality data on abundance, distribution, and demography for targeted species.
Capture, handle, process, and safely release wild animals using approved methods (mist-netting, Sherman traps, pitfall arrays, net capture) while following animal welfare protocols and permit conditions; record morphometrics, banding/tagging, and biometric data.
Assist veterinarians and researchers during medical procedures and field anesthesia by preparing equipment, monitoring vitals, administering medications under supervision, and maintaining sterile technique during sample collection.
Prepare, label, catalog, preserve, and archive biological specimens (tissue, blood, feathers, skins, whole-body specimens) and associated metadata for museum collections, genetic analysis, or long-term storage following chain-of-custody and biosafety guidelines.
Perform laboratory procedures including tissue dissections, necropsy assistance, DNA/RNA sample collection and stabilization, basic molecular techniques (sample aliquoting, PCR setup prep protocols), and quality control of laboratory data.
Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot field and laboratory equipment such as telemetry receivers and antennas, GPS units, radio collars, mist nets, trap arrays, microscopes, portable centrifuges, freezers, and water-quality meters; coordinate repairs and calibration.
Collect environmental and habitat data (vegetation surveys, soil sampling, water chemistry, microhabitat assessments) and implement habitat restoration and invasive species control tasks to promote species recovery and ecosystem health.
Manage data entry, curation, and quality assurance for biological datasets using spreadsheets, relational databases (SQL/Access), or institutional data portals; prepare datasets and metadata for analysis, reports, and publication.
Maintain regulatory compliance by preparing documentation and ensuring adherence to federal, state, and local permits, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) protocols, CITES/export regulations, and facility biosafety standards.
Implement and document behavioral enrichment programs and training plans to support captive animal welfare, including operant conditioning sessions, environmental complexity enhancements, and positive reinforcement techniques.
Plan and execute scheduled logistics for fieldwork and animal transport including route planning, humane capture to transport protocols, vehicle maintenance checks, portable enclosure preparation, and coordination with veterinary or receiving facilities.
Supervise, train, and mentor volunteers, seasonal technicians, interns, and student assistants in safe handling, field techniques, data collection protocols, and equipment use to ensure consistent methodology and participant safety.
Design and produce clear, timely technical reports, field notes, and permit renewals summarizing survey results, animal health observations, mortality events, and project progress for principal investigators and funding agencies.
Provide public-facing education and outreach by conducting guided tours, school programs, exhibit talks, or community workshops that translate research findings into accessible conservation messages and build stakeholder support.
Implement biosecurity and disease surveillance measures including routine sanitation protocols, isolation procedures, mortality investigation, and coordination with diagnostic laboratories as needed.
Assist in budgeting, supply ordering, and inventory management for feed, laboratory reagents, traps, PPE, and field consumables; maintain accurate records of expenses and equipment inventories.
Participate in study design and protocol refinement by providing field- and husbandry-based input to ensure realistic sampling schedules, animal welfare considerations, and logistical feasibility.
Carry out nocturnal or adverse-weather field operations safely, using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), lighting and navigation tools, ensuring team safety and data integrity.
Support grant writing, proposal preparation, and progress reporting by contributing methods descriptions, preliminary data, and logistical plans that enhance competitiveness and program continuity.
Conduct radio-telemetry and GPS/GSM tracking studies including collar deployment, signal triangulation, home range mapping, and troubleshooting data collection issues to inform movement ecology and habitat use analyses.
Lead humane capture and mitigation responses for human-wildlife conflict scenarios when required, coordinating with local stakeholders, animal control, and regulatory agencies to minimize stress and ensure legal compliance.
Execute quality control for photographic and video assets, manage digital media libraries, and prepare visual materials for scientific presentations, outreach, and funding reports.
Participate in cross-disciplinary teams to integrate zoological data into larger conservation planning efforts, adaptive management cycles, and long-term monitoring programs.

Secondary Functions

Support public relations and fundraising efforts by developing technical summaries and talking points for donors, partners, and agency stakeholders.
Provide logistical support for multi-disciplinary research campaigns, including scheduling, permitting coordination, and interagency communications.
Help maintain and improve occupational health and safety programs, including training records, hazard assessments, and incident reporting.
Collaborate with GIS specialists to georeference field data, contribute to spatial analyses, and produce maps for reports and publications.
Assist with basic lab administration tasks such as waste disposal coordination, reagent inventory tracking, and maintenance scheduling for cold storage units and backup generators.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Animal handling and restraint (wild capture techniques, safe transport, banding/taging) with demonstrated adherence to welfare and permit requirements.
Field survey protocols: point counts, transects, live trapping, camera trap deployment, acoustic monitoring, and standardized observational sampling.
Radio-telemetry and GPS tracking: collar deployment, signal triangulation, data download, and basic movement analysis.
Sample collection and preservation for genetics, stable isotopes, parasites, and disease diagnostics; sterile technique and chain-of-custody documentation.
Basic laboratory techniques: sample aliquoting, centrifugation, buffer preparation, PCR prep support, and cold-chain sample management.
Data management and QA/QC: Excel, Access, or equivalent database software; familiarity with data standards, metadata creation, and data validation processes.
GIS and GPS competence: collecting accurate spatial points, basic mapping in ArcGIS/QGIS, and understanding coordinate systems.
Equipment operation and maintenance: mist nets, trap arrays, telemetry gear, microscopes, pipettes, freezers, and portable field instruments.
Regulatory and permit compliance: understanding of IACUC, federal and state wildlife permits, CITES, and safety certifications.
Vehicle and boat operation for field logistics, including routine maintenance, trailer handling, and adherence to safety protocols.
Basic necropsy assistance and post-mortem tissue sampling for pathology and forensic investigations.
Experience with wildlife enrichment programs and behavioral observation methodologies.
Proficiency with mobile data collection apps (Survey123, EpiCollect, KoboToolbox) and digital photo/video documentation workflows.

Soft Skills

Strong attention to detail and meticulous record-keeping for biological datasets and animal care logs.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills for technical reporting and public outreach.
Reliable time management and organizational skills to coordinate simultaneous field, lab, and care duties.
Problem-solving mindset to adapt protocols in dynamic field conditions and troubleshoot equipment failures.
Team leadership and mentoring capabilities to train seasonal staff and volunteers.
Cultural competence and stakeholder engagement skills for working with landowners, agencies, and community groups.
Physical stamina and comfort working outdoors in variable weather and terrain.
High ethical standards and commitment to animal welfare and conservation principles.
Flexibility and adaptability to irregular schedules, night shifts, and extended field deployments.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Associate degree in Zoology, Wildlife Biology, Animal Science, Biology, Ecology, or related field OR equivalent hands-on experience (multiple seasons) in wildlife/animal care and field research.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Zoology, Wildlife Biology, Ecology, Conservation Biology, or a closely related discipline.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Zoology
Wildlife Biology
Ecology
Animal Science
Conservation Biology
Marine Biology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1–5 years of professional experience in field biology, wildlife handling, animal husbandry, or laboratory support; or multiple seasonal field seasons with documented responsibilities.

Preferred:

3+ years of progressive experience in zoological husbandry, field survey implementation, specimen handling, and data management.
Experience operating in multi-disciplinary teams, supporting peer-reviewed research, and contributing to permit applications or grant reports.
Certifications or training in wildlife capture, first aid/CPR, pesticide applicator (if relevant), boat safety (if applicable), and motor vehicle records suitable for field driving assignments.