SUMMARY

The Conservation Assistant will assist the Conservation Manager in maintaining and improving the pollinator gardens that are part of the Zoo’s BEE a Pollinator Hero program. Under the direction of the Conservation Manager, will perform functions to maintain daily and weekly pollinator garden standards around the Birmingham Zoo property to maintain a healthy, viable habitat that sustain naturally occurring native pollinators as well as the Zoo’s honeybee colony.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Uses hand tools, such as shovels, pruners, handsaws, to complete some tasks.
• Keeps walkways and paths clear of debris resulting from garden maintenance within their assigned area.
• Performs daily routine pollinator garden work such as, watering, planting, transplanting, weeding, mulching, pruning and other activities necessary to maintain and improve health of pollinator habitat on Zoo grounds under direction of the Conservation Manager.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Performs inspections of pollinator gardens on a regular basis, and reports any issues with disease, pests or general appearance issues to Conservation Manager.

PROFESSIONAL EXPECTATIONS

• Sets a positive example for their fellow staff. Acts as a reliable, friendly, and helpful team member and representative of BZI all times to co-workers, visitors and guests.
• Becomes familiar with and follows the BZI staff handbook, Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) for the Department as well as the SOP’s for their assigned team.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• No direct reports

SAFETY ANALYSIS

The Conservation Assistant is expected to maintain the highest level of safety in the work area through implementation of safety protocols and procedures.

Specific training and procedures designed to maintain safety of people as the highest priority of the zoo followed by the safety of the animal collection will be provided.

The use and understanding of a variety of personal safety equipment is mandatory.

All employees of the Zoo are required to be familiar with the Zoo’s overall safety policies as outlined in the staff handbook as well as being responsible for reporting any injury immediately to the first aid department, Safety Manager, or Manager on Duty (MOD.)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a staff member to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, staff should expect:

• Use of hands, fingers, tools or controls.
• Requires some movement across for long distances carrying or transporting equipment across uneven surfaces.
• Exposure to wet surfaces.
• Frequent exposure to the elements can be expected.
• Routinely lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.
• Frequently required to stand on feet for extended period; walk; sit; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, bend, crawl, crouch.
• Ability to communicate effectively with staff.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

The Birmingham Zoo recognizes that skills and knowledge come from both formal and informal experiences including education, paid work, volunteer service, and life experience. Those who meet the majority of the requirements for a position are encouraged to apply.

Education and work experience

• A valid driver’s license is required.
• Minimum High School diploma or GED equivalent is required.

Skills and Knowledge

• Ability to interact professionally with both staff and visitors.
• Ability to follow directions provided while working independently.
• Ability to perform assigned tasks in an organized and efficient manner.

• Must have an attention to detail, using observational skills to help effectively manage the health of the Zoo’s pollinator gardens.
• Ability to recognize plants from Zoo’s botanical collection or willingness to learn.
• Ability to use common manual gardening tools and equipment or willingness to learn.

Other Requirements

• Must be willing to travel locally. Must have a current valid driver’s license with no prior traffic violations (within the last five years) to operate Zoo vehicles.

Desirable qualities

• High self-motivation and a detail-oriented work ethic.
• Professional and positive demeanor.
• Strong interest in advancing the conservation missions of zoos and aquariums.

POSITION TYPE AND HOURS OF WORK

• Part Time, up to 10 hours a week. Position is funded through a conservation grant, from present time through the end of April 2024.
• Weekdays, with occasional weekends welcomed but not required.

PROFESSIONAL EXPECTATIONS

• Becomes familiar with and follows the BZI staff handbook, Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) for the Department as well as the SOP’s for their assigned team.
• Sets a positive example for their fellow staff. Acts as a reliable, friendly, and helpful team member and representative of BZI all times to co-workers, visitors and guests.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Birmingham Zoo is dedicated to creating a global community where all people value wildlife and wild places. As a workplace, the Zoo is guided by its core values: Passion, Excellence, Teamwork, Sustainability, and Diversity & Inclusion.

Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and others who identify as nonwhite, people with

disabilities, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, neurodivergent individuals, and those with diverse lived experiences are encouraged to apply for this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and functions of this position.

Birmingham Zoo 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.

APPLICATION PROCESS

If selected, a background check and drug test will be conducted prior to beginning employment.