Facility
North Carolina Zoo
Closing Date
[jobclosingdate]
Description
Successful candidate will be assigned to work in the African Pavilion working with gorillas, baboons and birds. May be cross trained to work at the lion, lemur and chimpanzee section as relief keeper when required. Responsibilities include daily assessment and care of exhibit and off-exhibit animal areas, systematic observation of all taxa in work area, maintains and trains husbandry behaviors applying principles of operant conditioning, develops and implements behavioral enrichment programs to elicit species-typical behaviors, food presentation and assessment of consumption, visual observations, written records, use of computer-based programs for record keeping, interaction with zoo visitors in formal and informal settings. Candidate will work in a team environment and will participate in team problem solving and decision-making processes. Must participate in occupational health program due to potential exposures to zoonosis. Position has rotating schedule that involves working holidays and weekends. Also involves indoor and outdoor work.
Education and Pre-requisites
**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 recent hands-on working experience with great apes, primates and birds including knowledge of husbandry behaviors and practices, basic biology, and natural history obtained from working in an AZA accredited zoo, sanctuary setting or related facility.
• Must have recent hands-on working experience in operant conditioning and environmental enrichment skills obtained from an AZA accredited zoo, sanctuary setting or related facility.
• Must have keen observational skills and the ability to discern and interpret subtle changes in animal health and behavior.
• Must possess strong oral and written communication skills and good interpersonal relations/teamwork skills.
• Must have good physical agility, strength, vision & hearing, and the ability to perform strenuous physical work in extremes of weather and challenging physical environments, e.g. outdoor animal enclosures. Specifically, this means the ability to lift 50 pounds, walk, stand, see animals & exhibits for observation and safety as well as hear animal’s sounds, radio communication and emergency situations.
• Ability to capture, handle and restrain live exotic and potentially dangerous animals and use associated capture equipment.
Graduation from a two-year technical or community college with a degree in zoo animal technology or other related curriculum; or graduation from high school and two years of animal care experience in a zoo or related facility; or an equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be from appropriately accredited institutions.
Compensation and benefits
RECRUITMENT RANGE: $27,903
For description of benefits: http://www.oshr.nc.gov/jobs/benefits.htm
Application instructions
Applicants must document on the application their knowledge skills and abilities as well as all related work experience to the position for which they apply.
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:
Ellie Meadows
NC Zoo
HR Department
336-879-7310
Please visit our website at www.nczoo.org for more information regarding our facility.
APPLICATIONS MAY BE FILED ONLINE AT:
http://www.oshr.nc.gov/jobs/index.html
Position #15-01551 ZOO60033480
ZOOKEEPER I – GREAT APE & BABOON
NOTE: Apply to the department listed on posting
An Equal Opportunity Employer, NC State Government