Job Description
Take the next step in your visual media career by joining recognized wildlife conservation organization!
The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is looking for a permanent, full time Visual Media Specialist to join our Communications team and create compelling photo and video content that supports and amplifies the work of teams across the organization. This role relies on a strong visual storytelling, a passion for wildlife conservation, and hands-on experience in photography and videography!
The Visual Media Specialist is responsible for capturing, producing, and delivering high-quality photography and video content that supports the needs of internal teams and advances organizational storytelling.
This is a production role directly involved in filming, photographing, and editing content for campaigns, digital platforms, internal communications, and field and onsite activities. The role ensures visual assets are delivered in a timely way and align with brand standards and strategic priorities.
The position also includes participation in off-site field conservation work and onsite activities to document authentic moments that showcase animal welfare and wellbeing and conservation impact in action.
Our Purpose | We act for wildlife; saving species and inspiring people to join us.
Our Core Values | Drive impact, nurture connection, cultivate hope, and be bold.
What you will do:
Visual Content Creation and Production:
- Capture and produce high-quality photography and video content across onsite, field, and offsite locations to support organizational storytelling and internal team needs.
- Film, photograph, and edit content for campaigns, social media, internal communications, events, and digital platforms, including:
- Capturing animal behaviour, enrichment activities, staff interactions, guest experiences, and conservation work in action.
- Capturing field conservation and offsite project activities, translating real-world work into engaging visual stories.
- Create short-form and longer-form video content, including basic scripting, sequencing, and post-production editing.
- Contribute to evolving visual storytelling practices by staying current with trends in digital content creation.
Content Delivery and Internal Service Support:
- Support internal teams by responding to requests for visual content and delivering timely, channel-ready assets.
- Collaborate with Communications and Marketing teams to ensure consistent brand alignment across visual content.
- Build strong working relationships across departments to ensure effective coordination and content delivery.
Event, Livestream, and Internal Communications Coverage:
- Provide photography and videography coverage for guest-facing onsite special events and seasonal programming (e.g., ZOOLIGHTS, Easter Eggstravaganza, ZooBOO, and other special experiences).
- Support internal communications by recording People Leader meetings and Town Halls, including facilitating live streaming for remote employees via Microsoft Teams.
Content Management and Digital Platforms:
- Maintain and organize the digital photo and video library, ensuring assets are accurately catalogued and accessible.
- Oversee and coordinate scheduling and publication of content on digital screens and screen savers.
Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
What you will bring:
- Diploma or degree in Communications, Media, Film Production, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
- 3–5 years of professional experience in photography, videography, or multimedia content production.
- Experience capturing people and wildlife in outdoor, field-based, or dynamic environments is considered an asset.
- Strong skills in photography and videography, including lighting, composition, filming, and post-production editing using industry-standard software.
- Proven ability to produce engaging visual content for digital platforms and organizational storytelling.
- Strong understanding of visual storytelling, brand consistency, and content adaptation across channels.
- Highly collaborative, with the ability to manage multiple assignments and respond to shifting priorities.
- Strong attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and ability to meet tight deadlines.
- Sound judgment, professionalism, and the ability to handle sensitive information with discretion.
Working Conditions:
- Primarily office-based with extended periods at a computer, combined with regular outdoor work in varying weather conditions.
- May involve travel to field conservation sites, the Archibald Biodiversity Centre, or other offsite locations.
- Role requires active participation in onsite shoots, including walking, standing, and working in dynamic environments.
- Occasional lifting of equipment and materials up to 25lbs, such as camera gear, signage, and boxes
- Flexible work schedule (i.e. ability to work 1-2 remote days), subject to change due to evolving film schedules and business needs.
The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo is an outdoor facility and all staff working at the zoo must be comfortable working in a large variety of outdoor conditions. The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo follows the advice of Environment Canada when responding to temperature and air quality issues.
What the Zoo Offers:
- Competitive compensation, vacation and flex days entitlement
- Flexible benefits plan, including a health spending account
- Employer matching RRSP program
- Discounts on food, beverage, and merchandise
- Participation in the Staff Pass Benefit plan
- Opportunity to work in a unique conservation environment alongside wildlife and dedicated professionals.
- A collaborative, mission-driven team culture.
Are you ready to join one of Canada’s leaders in wildlife conservation? If this position suits your skills, experience and personal attributes, we want to talk to you.
Apply by doing the following:
- Watch this video about the conservation work being done at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8J1VH1MBXm0)
- Submit your resume with a cover letter via our online application system.
- Fill in the Application questions:
- Confirm eligibility to work in Canada.
- If hired, when would you be available to start?
- If hired, what are your salary expectations?
Applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada.
If this position is a fit for you, we encourage you to apply with a resume and cover letter online by June 8, 2026.
The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo strives to cultivate a workplace in which everyone feels welcome and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work. As a conservation organization, we respect and value the diversity of all life and come together as individuals and teammates to achieve the organization’s mission and vision. We recognize the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and work to advance our culture to ensure diverse viewpoints are heard and everyone has an equitable chance to succeed and thrive.
All candidates are thanked for their applications and advised that they will be contacted once applications have been reviewed and a final decision has been made.