Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Zoology Technician

🎯 Role Definition

The Zoology Technician provides hands-on animal care, field sampling, laboratory support, and data management to support research, conservation, and husbandry objectives. This role combines daily animal husbandry, behavioral observation, specimen collection and processing, veterinary support, and maintenance of habitat/enclosure systems, while ensuring strict compliance with biosecurity, safety, and permitting requirements. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, physically capable, experienced with animal handling and basic laboratory techniques, and comfortable working both in outdoor field conditions and in controlled lab/enclosure environments.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Animal Care Technician / Animal Keeper (entry-level)
Field Research Assistant
Laboratory Technician (biology/zoology focus)

Advancement To:

Senior Zoology Technician / Lead Animal Technician
Wildlife Field Supervisor or Field Biologist
Research Coordinator or Laboratory Manager

Lateral Moves:

Veterinary Technician (with additional clinical training)
Conservation Outreach / Education Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Provide daily hands-on animal care and husbandry for captive, managed, or study animals, including feeding, cleaning enclosures, monitoring behavior, and implementing species-specific enrichment programs to promote physical and psychological welfare.
Conduct detailed behavioral observations and systematic behavioral data collection using standardized protocols (e.g., ethograms, focal animal sampling), ensuring data quality suitable for research, publication, or husbandry decisions.
Perform field sampling and specimen collection for wildlife surveys and research projects, including live trapping, netting, mist-netting, transect surveys, and non-invasive sampling (feces, hair), while adhering to humane capture and handling best practices and permit conditions.
Process biological samples in the laboratory and field laboratory (e.g., tissue dissection, blood draws, swabs, fixation, freezing, label and chain-of-custody management), preparing specimens for preservation, histology, molecular assays, or external laboratory submission.
Assist veterinarians with routine clinical care, triage, medical treatments, administration of medications, restraint, recovery monitoring, and basic anesthetic support during procedures or transport.
Conduct necropsies and gross pathology examinations on deceased animals, collect and preserve tissues for histology, toxicology, and molecular analyses, and maintain accurate necropsy records to support disease surveillance and research.
Maintain and calibrate specialized animal husbandry and laboratory equipment (e.g., water quality monitoring instruments, temperature/humidity controls, microscopes, centrifuges, PCR sample prep tools), performing routine preventive maintenance to ensure reliable operation.
Monitor and manage water and environmental quality parameters in aquatic systems and enclosures (e.g., dissolved oxygen, pH, salinity, filtration maintenance), recording results and making adjustments to maintain optimal habitat conditions.
Implement and document biosecurity, quarantine, and sanitation protocols to prevent disease introduction and spread, including disinfection procedures, pest management, and controlled access practices.
Maintain detailed animal records and project logs (health records, feeding logs, behavioral data, sample inventories, permit documentation) using electronic databases and laboratory information management systems (LIMS) to ensure traceability and regulatory compliance.
Prepare and manage sample inventories, label and catalog specimens, and prepare shipments of biological materials in compliance with institutional policies and carrier and regulatory requirements (IATA, UN3373 where applicable).
Support species-specific propagation and breeding programs by monitoring reproductive cycles, assisting with pairing, egg/care management, incubation, and rearing of young, and recording breeding outcomes for population management.
Conduct routine facility maintenance and enclosure repairs, including habitat enrichment construction, substrate replacement, fencing, and signage, coordinating with facilities staff or contractors when required for larger projects.
Train and supervise volunteers, seasonal staff, and interns in safe animal handling, husbandry practices, data collection protocols, and laboratory safety to ensure consistent procedures and high-quality outcomes.
Coordinate and support remote field operations, including logistics (transportation, remote camp set-up), equipment preparation, GPS/GIS mapping of survey areas, and safety planning for field teams operating in challenging environments.
Collect and enter observational and experimental data into validated datasets, perform initial data cleaning and basic statistical summaries, and collaborate with researchers to ensure datasets meet analytical requirements.
Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations and permit conditions (e.g., endangered species permits, wildlife collection permits, institutional animal care and use committee— IACUC) by preparing permit documentation, assisting with inspections, and maintaining accurate records.
Implement animal training programs using positive reinforcement to facilitate voluntary husbandry behaviors and medical procedures (weighing, blood draws), improving welfare and reducing stress during routine care.
Participate in outreach and educational programming, guiding tours, delivering talks, and preparing interpretive materials that accurately communicate research goals, animal biology, and conservation messages to the public, stakeholders, and students.
Assist in field and lab safety planning, perform risk assessments for procedures and fieldwork, maintain first-aid and emergency response equipment, and act as a safety officer during selected operations.
Manage inventory and procurement of animal feeds, bedding, veterinary supplies, laboratory reagents, and field consumables, tracking usage and coordinating with procurement to maintain cost-effective stock levels.
Contribute to preparation of research materials, grant proposals, and technical reports by providing methods descriptions, sample summaries, and logistical input based on hands-on operational knowledge.
Perform species identification and basic taxonomic processing of samples (e.g., macroinvertebrate sorting, fish juvenile ID), and prepare vouchers and metadata necessary for museum or institutional collections.
Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams (ecologists, veterinarians, geneticists, facility managers) to troubleshoot animal health, experimental design, or habitat issues and implement corrective actions based on evidence and best practices.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis for research teams, producing cleaned datasets and summary tables for rapid decision-making.
Contribute to the organization's specimen and sample data strategy, improving metadata standards, labeling conventions, and storage protocols to enhance reusability.
Collaborate with principal investigators and program managers to translate field and lab needs into logistical and procurement requirements for upcoming projects.
Participate in project planning, sprint planning for project milestones, and agile-style meetings to align technician tasks with research timelines and institutional priorities.
Assist with outreach content development and social media updates showcasing fieldwork and technician-led activities to support recruitment and public engagement.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficient in safe animal handling and restraint techniques for a variety of taxa (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, invertebrates) with demonstrated species-specific experience.
Experience with field sampling protocols including live-trapping, netting, mist-netting, camera trap deployment, transect surveys, and non-invasive sampling methods.
Laboratory sample processing skills: tissue dissection, blood collection, centrifugation, slide preparation, preservation (formalin/ethanol), freezing and cold-chain management.
Basic molecular and histology familiarity (sample prep for PCR, DNA extraction basics, slide fixation, embedding) and ability to follow chain-of-custody and contamination control procedures.
Competence with telemetry and tracking equipment, GPS units, rangefinders, and basic GIS mapping workflows for recording and mapping field observations.
Proficiency in standard lab and field equipment operation and maintenance (microscopes, pipettes, balances, water quality meters, filtration systems) and documentation of calibration.
Strong record-keeping and data management skills: experience with LIMS, Excel, Access, or other electronic databases for animal records, sample inventories, and research logs.
Knowledge of biosecurity, quarantine procedures, IACUC protocols, and wildlife permitting processes; ability to complete permit paperwork and maintain compliance records.
Experience assisting with basic veterinary procedures, administering medications, and monitoring recovery; ability to follow veterinary orders and maintain health records.
Practical skills in enclosure fabrication, habitat enrichment design, basic carpentry or construction for exhibit and research infrastructure.
Trained in field and laboratory safety protocols, hazard communication, and emergency response; certifications such as HAZWOPER, OSHA lab safety, or first aid/CPR are a plus.
Familiarity with common statistical software or scripting for basic data summaries (R, Python, or specialized ecology software) is beneficial for supporting analyses.

Soft Skills

Excellent observational skills and attention to detail to detect subtle changes in animal health, behavior, or environmental conditions.
Strong written communication skills for accurate logs, procedural SOPs, technical notes, and permit reports.
Effective verbal communication for coordinating field teams, training volunteers, and delivering public outreach.
Team-oriented with the ability to collaborate across research, veterinary, and facilities groups and to work independently with minimal supervision.
Problem-solving mindset with the ability to troubleshoot animal husbandry, equipment malfunctions, and field logistical challenges.
Time management and organizational skills to prioritize competing tasks, handle multiple projects, and meet research deadlines.
Physical stamina and comfort working outdoors and performing physically demanding tasks (lifting, traversing uneven terrain, working in varied weather).
Ethical judgment and integrity in handling sensitive specimens and confidential research data.
Adaptability and flexibility to support rotating shifts, on-call duties, or extended field deployments as project needs require.
Cultural competency and professionalism when interacting with community stakeholders, collaborators, and the public.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Associate degree in Zoology, Biology, Wildlife Management, Animal Science, Ecology, or related natural science OR equivalent combination of relevant experience and training.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Zoology, Wildlife Biology, Ecology, Animal Science, or closely related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Zoology
Wildlife Biology
Ecology
Animal Science
Conservation Biology
Marine Biology
Veterinary Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1–5 years of combined field and laboratory experience working with animals, wildlife surveys, or biological sample processing.

Preferred:

2–4 years of experience in zoological facilities, wildlife field research programs, or research laboratories with demonstrated competency in animal handling, sample processing, and record-keeping.
Experience operating in remote field conditions and working under permit-regulated programs is highly desirable.

If you’d like, I can tailor this description to a specific employer type (zoo, aquarium, university research lab, conservation NGO) or localize it for a region's permitting and regulatory context.