Zookeeper - Streamside - State of North Carolina : Job Details

* Pay Grade - NC05 Recruitment Range - $31,688 - $43,800*

This is a range. Selected candidate's salary will be determined within this range based on qualifications, equity, and funding at the time of hire.

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Position located at:

NC Zoo

4401 Zoo Parkway

Asheboro, NC 27205

*Job offer is contingent upon passing a pre-employment screen conducted by assigned provider.*

Primary Purpose of this Position:

The NC Zoo is seeking an enthusiastic team member to be part of its Streamside work unit. Animals cared for include North American river otters, bobcat, barred owl, as well as Southeast US native fish, reptiles and amphibians. The collection focuses on North Carolina species living near streams and other aquatic habitats, with approximately 40 species and more than 200 individuals. The Streamside work unit is also responsible for the care and management of the zoo's honeybee colonies and seasonal butterfly garden. Responsibilities include the daily assessment and care of both on-habitat and off-habitat animal areas.

Job Responsibilities:

* Daily assessment, observation and care of all species in section, while following all work unit Standard Operating Procedures.

* Daily diet preparation and assessment of consumption.

* Physical plant maintenance of work unit buildings and habitats, including pest control.

* Detailed observation and monitoring of animal health and behavior.

* Participation in NC Zoo Behavioral Management Program :

* Training - Implement positive reinforcement operant conditioning as the primary tool for animal training. Provide optimal care by teaching behaviors for cooperative participation in daily husbandry care and for mental/physical stimulation. Build trust-based relationships and allow for animal choice and control. Develop training plans and complete all associated documentation.

* Enrichment - Develop environments that focus on the animals' physical, psychological, and behavioral needs. Develop enrichment plans that are goal behavior driven and implement programs to elicit species-typical behaviors. Complete all associated documentation.

* Participate in animal welfare assessments

* Maintain appropriate water quality in aquatic systems.

* Keep extensive records for computer database, to include daily reports, logbooks, specimen records, nesting records, Behavioral Management Program records (training and enrichment plans, enrichment calendars, etc.).

* Guest enhancement through interaction with guests in formal and informal settings; to include Keeper Talks and participation in a variety of tours/camps/special events/etc., while presenting high quality educational and conservation messaging.

* Active participation in team problem solving and the decision-making process.

* Provide training and coaching to new staff, existing staff and students/interns/volunteers.

* Maintain knowledge of all NC Zoo response/emergency plans and procedures with emphasis on work unit specific responses; follow all Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, NC Zoo, Animal Section and work unit safety policies and procedures.

* Participate in NC Zoo Environmental Management Systems (EMS) Programs

* May be assigned to work with other animal species in other work units as needed

Job Requirements:

* Must be able to work a rotating work schedule to include weekends, holidays and after regular work shifts.

* Position is considered Essential/Mandatory Staff and required to work on adverse weather days and during zoo emergencies.

* Required to participate in the zoo's occupational health program due to potential exposure to zoonosis.

* Must be able to become trained on the safe handling of venomous snakes within one year of hire.

* Must be able to capture, handle and restrain live exotic and potentially dangerous animals and use associated capture equipment.

* Must have good physical agility, strength, vision, and hearing, and the ability to perform strenuous physical work in extremes of weather and challenging physical environments. Such as walk, stand, see animals and habitats for observation and safety as well as hear animal's sounds, radio communication and emergency situations.

* Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs.

* Must have, or be able to obtain, and maintain a valid NC driver's license.

* Must have excellent communication skills and be able to learn and strictly follow all safety protocols.

Learn about the NC ZOO:

Learn about employee perks/benefits: receive credit for your work history and credentials, you must list the information on the application form. Any information omitted from the application form, listed under the text resume section, or on an attachment will not be considered for qualifying credit.

* Demonstrated hands-on animal care experience with North American reptile, amphibian, mammal and/or avian species gained from working at an AZA accredited zoo, sanctuary setting or related facility to include the following:

* Positive reinforcement based operant conditioning

* Environmental enrichment

* Observing and understanding the complexities of animal behavior, including individual animals and larger social context

* Demonstrated working experience of animal husbandry to include thorough working knowledge of biology, including animal anatomy, physiology, ecology, behavior and safe practices around a variety of North America native taxa gained from working at an AZA accredited zoo, sanctuary setting or related facility.

* Demonstrated experience with record-keeping.

* Demonstrated experience using computers and MS Office.

* Proven communication skills to include visitor interactions, public speaking, reporting and/or team interactions.

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an equivalent combination of education and experience. If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See oshr.nc.gov/experience-guide for details.

Bachelor's degree in biology, zoology, natural sciences, or related curriculum from an appropriately accredited institution

and

one year of experience working in a zoo-based or related animal care facility;

or

an equivalent combination of education and experience.

The North Carolina Zoo exists for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of all of North Carolina's citizens and visitors to the zoo. The mission of the zoo is to encourage the understanding of and commitment to the conservation of the world's wildlife and wild places through the recognition of the interdependence of people and nature. The Zoo displays, conserves and protects representative examples of natural beauty, plant and animal species and ecological features of the North American and African regions of the world through the presentation of live animal exhibits from these regions.

Department Information:

The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) takes care of the things that people love about North Carolina, literally from A to Z. The Arts to the Zoo, and so much else - parks, aquariums, historic sites, archaeology, African American Heritage Commission, science and history museums, the state Symphony, Library, and Archives, historic preservation, land, and water stewardship, and more. These places, and the ideas they represent, create a shared identity among us as North Carolinians. They provide common ground. Everyone is welcome. Our goal is to promote equity and inclusion among our employees and our programming to reflect and celebrate our state's diverse population, culture, and history. We encourage you to apply to become a part of our team.

Check out this amazing video about our Department. DNCR

The Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) selects applicants for employment based on required education and experience and job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age (40 or older), disability, National Guard or veteran status, genetic information, political affiliation, or political influence.

We are an Employment First state, ensuring that people with disabilities have equal opportunities to succeed in the state government workplace. DNCR supports pay equity for women, establish paid parental leave for birth, adoption, and foster care, and implement fair chance policies. Join a team that welcomes, values, respects and supports all members of our work community.

Please be sure to complete the application in full. Resumes may be uploaded with your application but will not be accepted in lieu of a fully completed application and will not be considered for qualifying credit. See Resume or See Attachment will NOT be accepted.

Information should be provided in the appropriate areas, to include the following: Education, including high school and all degrees obtained, Work Experience, and Certificates & Licenses. It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive candidate information.

Answers to Supplemental Questions are not a substitute for providing all relevant information within the body of your application. To receive credit for the supplemental questions, you must provide supporting information within the Work Experience section of the application, to support your answers.

Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts, and degree evaluations may be uploaded with your application. If you have student loans, becoming a state employee includes eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Visit www.studentaid.gov to learn more.

To obtain veterans preference, you must scan and upload a copy of your DD-214 or discharge orders.

Applicants requesting and receiving an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are eligible to submit paper applications via mail or by fax. Please call the human resources office for assistance.

If multiple applications are submitted to an individual posting, only the most recent application received prior to the closing date will be accepted. Applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM on the closing date.

Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account. Upon the closing date, applications are Under Review and will be screened by Human Resources for the qualified applicants. The hiring process may take several weeks.

It is the policy of the State of North Carolina and the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources that all employees provide proof of employment eligibility (immigration and naturalization) on the first day of employment. We participate in E-Verify (Employment Eligibility Verification System).

CONTACT INFORMATION:

N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources

Division of Human Resources

Cami Bunting

4401 Zoo Parkway

Asheboro, NC 27205

336-###-####

[email protected]

Please visit our website at www.nczoo.org for more information regarding our facility.

Visit our website at www.nczoo.org.

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