Conservation Communications Specialist

Pay Range: To maintain internal equity, we have identified the salary range for this position at the Oakland Zoo as $32 - $40/hour. An offer within this salary range will be determined by the experience and qualifications of a candidate and will be our best and final compensation offer.

Position Summary:

The Conservation Communications Specialist will support Oakland Zoo’s conservation initiative efforts through creating various forms of written and visual communication, primarily for web and digital platforms. This position will focus specifically on content creation for Co-Existence, Illegal Wildlife Trade and Species and Habitats. This is a 3-month hybrid part-time position (8 - 16 hours/week) with potential for partial remote work and possible extension, depending on the needs of the organization.

Oakland Zoo offers part-time employees a valuable benefits package, including an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Paid Sick Time, optional 403b Retirement Plan, and a Zoo Membership. They also have access to various perks, discounts, and programs to enhance their overall experience.

• Independently research, develop, write, and edit accessible content that translates complex conservation concepts into compelling narratives for public audiences, with a focus on web and digital platforms.

• Design and produce clear, engaging, and visually effective digital materials (e.g., infographics, web pages, downloadable resources) that enhance public understanding of conservation topics, informed by participation at Oakland Zoo events and ongoing research

• Support creation of conservation training for Oakland Zoo staff by contributing well-researched, clearly written, and visually cohesive communications

• Collaborate with Conservation Staff on needed events, campaigns and initiatives

• Contribute to the planning and implementation of Field Conservation Department initiatives and help inform Oakland Zoo’s strategic and master planning work 

• Complete other duties as needed and assigned 

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• 5 years of writing and communications experience
• Experience and understanding of wildlife conservation issues, especially related to the wildlife trade, human-wildlife conflict and resolution and habitat conservation

• Experience in detailed research of conservation issues and trends

• Bachelor’s in related field and 5+ years of experience, or 7+ years of experience in lieu of degree.  
• Expertise in human-wildlife conflict mitigation and resolution and social science 

Bonus if you have…

• Experience in climate change and habitat loss solutions for California native predator species 

• Experience in wildlife applied and actionable research

• Experience in community engagement and behavior change theory

• Ability to effectively interact with a variety of stakeholders with varying perceptions of wildlife: conservationists, government agencies, communities, ranchers, researchers, etc.

• Experience in intra-agency, interagency, and tribal coordination and cooperation 

• Collaboration – builds trusting relationships with both internal and external stakeholders across our organization and community-wide and approaches differences of opinion with curiosity and humility. 

• Dependability – demonstrates trustworthiness and reliability, including while working with little or no direct supervision

• Flexibility – nimbly adapts to evolving priorities and urgent needs; handles intervals of high pressure while maintaining perspective and humor 

• Impact: Inspired to contribute to the success of a project or the organization 

• Inclusive Culture - fosters a culture of mutual respect, transparency, collaboration and belonging which allows all employees to feel appreciated, included, and valued​​

• Inclusive Facilitation – able to comfortably move a group through pre-determined content while balancing inclusion and timing; able to flexibly weave in related content to make connections for learners and adjust or pivot when needed  

• Leadership – mentors, advises, and develops people across identities with consideration for cultural relevance and responsiveness, self-awareness around implicit bias and understanding of the power dynamics that exist in organizations. 

• Organization – strong attention to details and able to build and/or maintain efficient systems 

• ​​​Passion – wholeheartedly believes in, represents, and models Oakland Zoo’s mission and PRIDE values at all times 

• Presentation – able to convey ideas clearly and sensitively, highlight key takeaways and translate impact; have thoughtful presence, can quickly build rapport with others, and are comfortable in front of a variety of audiences 

• Project management – effectively prioritizes commitments, driving forward multiple high-profile and complex projects simultaneously with flexibility, resourcefulness, and agility to adapt to shifting organizational needs 

• Self-motivated– effectively navigates multiple, simultaneous tasks with excellent attention to detail and deadlines. Enthusiastically identifies and approaches opportunities without regular supervision 

• Solution-oriented – utilizes an open-minded and strengths-based approach to finding solutions for complex challenges. 

• ​​​Sustainability – oriented toward the mission and values of Oakland Zoo and able to put those into practice by finding creative and resourceful ways to develop sustainable practices within your role and department 
• ​​​Wildlife Aware - understands mission to support the conservation and welfare of animals at the Zoo, locally and globally.  This is demonstrated by a willingness/passion to reflect this mission in all actions and to continue to learn how to take action for wildlife 

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