Facility

North Carolina Zoo

Closing Date

[jobclosingdate]

Description

DESCRIPTION OF WORK:
The NC Zoo is seeking an enthusiastic team leader to be part of its Watani Grasslands section working with African elephants. Responsibilities include the daily assessment and care of elephants both on-exhibit and off-exhibit animal areas. Daily duties also include:

>Heavy lifting of hay, grain, manure, substrates, etc.; heavy duty cleaning and scrubbing is a routine occurrence.
>Systematic observation of animal health and behavior. Training and maintenance of husbandry behaviors, applying principles of operant conditioning, to gain cooperation of the elephants in their own care.
>Development and implementation of behavioral enrichment programs to elicit species-typical behaviors in a captive environment.
>Thorough and accurate written records for computer databases.
>Actively participating in team problem solving and decision making processes.
>Participates in team problem solving and the decision making process.
>Participates in NC Zoo programs, to include: behavioral management, enrichment and Environmental Management System (EMS) programs.
>Required to participate in the zoo’s occupational health program due to potential exposure to zoonosis.
>Position has rotating schedule that involves working holidays and weekends and involves both indoor/outdoor work.
>May be assigned to work with other animal species in other work units as needed.

Education and Pre-requisites

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES / COMPETENCIES:

**To 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.**

>Must have considerable working knowledge of animal husbandry to include thorough working knowledge of biology, including animal anatomy, physiology, ecology, behavior and safe practices around dangerous animals and mammals gained from working at a zoo or related facility.
>Must have recent established hands on animal care experience with:
>Positive reinforcement based operant conditioning with large, potentially dangerous mammals.
>Environmental enrichment
>Observing and understanding the complexities of animal behavior, including individual animals and larger social context

Qualified applicants meet the following skills and abilities:

>Accurate and thorough record-keeping and excellent and oral and written communication skills.
>Must be competent with computers and MS Office for research & daily reporting.
>Must have good interpersonal relations/teamwork skills.
>Must have strong communication skills for visitor interactions, public speaking, reporting and team interactions
>Must be team oriented, willing to learn and to give and receive constructive feedback
>Must be able to strictly follow all safety guidelines.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

Graduation from a two-year technical or community college with a degree in zoo animal technology or other related curriculum and two years of animal care experience in a zoo or related facility; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Degrees must be from appropriately accredited institutions.

Compensation and benefits

RECRUITMENT RANGE: $29,826 – $30,700, plus benefits
(see http://www.oshr.nc.gov/jobs/benefits.htm)

Application instructions

SUPPLEMENTAL AND CONTACT INFORMATION:

All relevant experience must be included on application to receive proper credit. Resumes are not accepted in lieu of state application.

“SEE ATTACHED RESUME” WILL RESULT IN AN INCOMPLETE APPLICATION.
To receive credit, all experience must be included in the work history sections. Any information omitted from the application but included in the resume will not be considered for qualifying credit.

Persons eligible for veteran preference must submit a copy of Form DD-214.

DENR uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Personnel Act with the most qualified applicants. When a salary range is posted, the actual salary will be based on relevant competencies, knowledge, skills and abilities, internal equity and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position. The State of North Carolina is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

For additional information, please contact:

NC Zoo
HR Department
Ellie Meadows
336-879-7310

APPLICATIONS MAY BE FILED ONLINE AT:
http://www.oshr.nc.gov/jobs/index.html

NOTE: Apply to the department listed on posting
An Equal Opportunity Employer, NC State Government

Position #14-08812 ZOO60033335
ZOOKEEPER II – ELEPHANTS