Facility
North Carolina Zoo
Closing Date
[jobclosingdate]
Description
Successful candidate will be assigned to work as a lead keeper with Chimpanzees, Lions, Ring-tailed lemurs, and Red-ruffed lemurs. May be asked to assist with care of other African species in the sister section, which include Zebra, Ostrich, Giraffe, and Red River Hogs. 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, 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. Will participate in team problem solving and decision-making processes. Provides leadership for the work unit by training, orienting, directing, guiding, and coaching fellow employees in the work unit. Demonstrates advanced knowledge and skills related to animal natural history and industry standard best management husbandry practices. Leads work unit in planning and organizing and in setting priorities and goals for routine and non-routine daily tasks. Plays lead role in coordinating activities and communicating needs with supervisory staff. Plays lead role in maintaining continuity of husbandry and information exchange. Participates 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 demonstrated working experience with primates and/or felids, preferably Great Apes and Large Cats, to include knowledge of husbandry behaviors and practices, basic biology, and natural history of primates and/or felids.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of operant conditioning and environmental enrichment practices with primates and/or felids.
• Must have keen observational skills and the ability to discern and interpret subtle changes in animal health and behavior.
• Strong oral and written communication skills and teamwork skills is a must.
• Must be able to lead work assignments and provide coaching and feedback to fellow employees.
• Must have good physical agility, strength, good hearing and vision, and perform physically demanding labor in extremes of weather and challenging physical environments e.g. animal enclosures. Specifically, this means the ability to lift up to 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.
• Participation in occupational health program is required.
• Must be able to regularly work weekends, holidays and after normal work shifts.
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. All degrees must be appropriately accredited institutions.
Compensation and benefits
RECRUITMENT RANGE: $29,826
Career Benefits
The North Carolina Office of State Personnel maintains descriptions on many of the benefits programs. (http://www.oshr.nc.gov/jobs/benefits.htm) The list of benefits is general in nature and is not all inclusive.
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
NOTE: Apply to the department listed on posting
An Equal Opportunity Employer, NC State Government
Position #15-03570 ZOO60033440
ZOOKEEPER II – LION, CHIMP & LEMUR