Heron and Egret Response Team Member

Pay Rate: $19.95 per hour

*Note: This is a seasonal position, anticipated to end on August 15, 2025.*

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The Heron and Egret Response Team Members are integral part-time, seasonal staff members in the Animal Care, Conservation, and Research Department who lead the Oakland Zoo’s effort to rescue Black crown night heron (heron) and Snowy egret (egret) fledglings displaced from their nests in downtown Oakland. Rescue staff will work 1 to 3 eight-hour shifts per week between March and August. The staff will search the nesting areas in the Downtown Oakland area and as needed move healthy birds to safety, collect fallen birds needing medical attention and take them to the Zoo, as well as collect deceased herons and egrets. This position will travel by foot throughout Oakland including residential and commercial areas, and may need to navigate fences, brush, and other obstacles to reach the birds. They will also serve as Oakland Zoo representatives by engaging with the community about the herons, why some fledglings need rescuing, and our other conservation efforts.

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• Work 5 hour shifts 1-3 days per week; shifts can be scheduled between 6:30am to 7:00pm. Each staff member would preferably work the same day or days each week
• Once daily, drive a Zoo vehicle to and from Downtown Oakland. Occasional trips to and from International Bird Rescue in Fairfield, CA
• Safely catch, handle, and transports herons and egrets, including hatchlings, fledglings and injured or deceased birds according to protocol
• Train, instruct, and supervise project volunteers
• Collect specific data on herons and egrets possibly including body measurement, nest counts, etc. and record and manage according to protocol
• Assist with other tasks, such as Animal Care and Hospital tasks and Zoo guest engagement at the Zoo, as needed or assigned

• Driver's license and ability to be insured by the Zoo's auto insurance
• Excellent communication skills and attitude
• Willing and able to handle both live and deceased birds
• Can follow biosecurity protocols to protect birds and Oakland Zoo’s resident animals
• Able to reliably answer questions and provide information to the local community and passersby about the Heron Rescue Project, basic natural history and conservation of the birds, and Oakland Zoo
• Eager to engage with Oakland community and Zoo guests
• Ability to traverse long distances, crouch, stoop, crawl, scale hurdles up to 2.5-feet tall, able to see and hear environmental hazards, focus on search parameters for up to 1.5 hours, and willingness to work in adverse weather conditions
• Ability to work independently and in a team setting
• Can make good decisions with information available
• No experience necessary although preference is given to those with animal care and/or interpretation experience; training is provided
• The Oakland Zoo requires COVID vaccination*

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Knowledge, Skills, and Qualities– May be representative, but not all-inclusive, of those knowledge, skills and abilities commonly associated with this position.

• Communication – communicates respectfully and effectively with stakeholders across identities, both verbally and in writing
• Inclusive Culture - fosters a culture of mutual respect, transparency, collaboration and belonging which allows all employees to feel appreciated, included, and valued
• Sustainability – oriented toward the mission and values of the Oakland Zoo and able to put those into practice by finding creative and resourceful ways to develop sustainable practices within your role and department
• Passion – wholeheartedly believes in, represents, and models Oakland Zoo’s mission and PRIDE values at all times
• 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