<h5>Facility</h5>
<p>North Carolina Zoo</p>
<h5>Closing Date</h5><p>
[jobclosingdate]</p>
<h6>Description</h6>
The NC Zoo is seeking a successful candidate to be assigned to the Watani Grasslands section working with African elephants. Responsibilities include: 

Daily assessment and care of exhibit/off-exhibit animal areas, including 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.

Interacting with Zoo visitors in formal and informal settings.

Participating in occupational health programs due to potential exposure to zoonosis.

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

Schedule involves weekends and holidays and both indoor/outdoor work.
   
<h6>Education and Pre-requisites</h6>
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 recent working experience in:

·              Operant conditioning in a positive reinforcement with elephants.

·              Environmental enrichment with elephants.

 

Must have working knowledge of biology, including animal anatomy, physiology, ecology, and behavior for elephants obtained from working in an AZA accredited zoo, sanctuary setting or related facility. 

Must have considerable knowledge of animal husbandry including:

·              Feeding strategies and species-specific nutrition

·              Accurate and thorough record-keeping

·              Animal capture &amp; restraint

·              Safety and safe practices around dangerous animals 

 
Requires good oral and written communication skills and good interpersonal relations/teamwork skills.   

Requires basic computer knowledge for research &amp; daily reporting.

 

Must have good physical agility, strength, vision &amp; 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 &amp; exhibits for observation and safety as well as hear animal's sounds, radio communication and emergency situations.
 
 
 
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; 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. 
 

<h6>Compensation and benefits</h6>
RECRUITMENT RANGE: $26,903 

For a description of benefits, please visit http://www.oshr.nc.gov/jobs/benefits.htm.
<h6>Application instructions</h6>
APPLICATIONS MAY BE FILED ONLINE AT:
http://www.oshr.nc.gov/jobs/index.html

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: 

NC Zoo 
HR Department 
336-879-7310 

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

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

