Curator of Birds

The North Carolina Zoo is seeking an experienced and collaborative oriented individual with proven management skills to oversee the Bird collection of the North Carolina Zoo. This is a management position that manages all bird collections and programs designed to house, exhibit, and sustain the animals in the furtherance of the North Carolina Zoo’s mission.

The Curator of Birds is the principal professional, scientific authority for the North Carolina Zoo for matters involving this taxonomic class of animals (or part thereof) and is responsible for all aspects of managing live animal collections of that class including:

• Setting and monitoring standards of physical and behavioral care and writing/maintaining protocols for this care.
• Formulating, reviewing and revising diets fed to animals in collections managed.
• Coordinating and monitoring veterinary care for animals in managed collections.
• Defining animal restraint protocols, especially to include procedures for handling large, dangerous animals (e.g., ostrich, storks, cranes, large raptors) where staff safety is at greater risk as well as for small, delicate animals (e.g., hummingbirds, small passerines, partridge) for which the safety risk is to the valuable animal instead of the keeper staff.
• Creation and maintenance of records and databases relevant to tracking the health, behavior and management histories of animals in the collection, including overseeing the quality of information entered into the ZIMS international zoo animal records database, AZA studbooks, AZA Taxon Advisory Group (TAG) regional collection plans (RCPs), etc..
• Acquiring, coordinating and managing shipments of animals and placement of those which are more than collection needs at other qualified facilities. Acquisition and maintenance of all required permits and licenses relative to the possession, care, transport and control of disease transmission for exotic animals, including keeping current with all relevant state, federal and international laws and regulations e.g. USDA Animal Welfare Act, USF&WS Endangered Species Act and CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) requirements, state exotic animal import/export requirements, IATA (International Air Transportation Association) shipping guidelines, etc..
• Managing reproduction including selecting animals to be bred or prevented from breeding, modifying and maximizing taxa specific conditions to facilitate successful breeding, planning and managing rearing of young including hand-rearing when necessary.
• Participation in national (AZA) programs for cooperative management and breeding of various species (this will include writing and publishing a studbook and population management plan and/or active leadership of SSPs or TAGs and/or other professional committees such as ethics, accreditation, wildlife conservation and management, etc. under the auspices of the AZA).
• Initiates, develops and or facilitates research projects and/or multi-institutional, national, or international field conservation and research programs.
• Contributes to various administrative responsibilities including drafting Section policies and operational procedures and leading/implementing Section initiatives such as EMS program, Animal Behavioral Management Program, Animal Enrichment Program, staff Safety Training program, etc.
• Serves on the Zoo's Weapons Team and as the senior Section or Zoo official on duty on several weekends and holidays each year.
• Oversees the Zoo’s SCUBA Diving & Safety Program.

Job Requirements:

• Must be available to work after hours, holidays and weekend hours as necessary and available for on-call rotations and emergency call-back.
• Position is required to work the rotating schedule as weekend and holiday Curator on Duty, or as needed.
• Position is considered "Essential/Mandatory Staff" and may be required to work on adverse weather days, during zoo emergencies, and may be called to work special events.
• Must have or be able to obtain and maintain a valid NC driver's license within 30 days of employment.
• Must have the agility and physically ability to: regularly and safely lift up to 20 pounds occasionally and/or exert up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects; extend hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction; stand for sustained periods of time; raise objects from a lower to a higher position or move objects horizontally from position-to-position; apply pressure to an object with the fingers and palm; perceive attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of the fingertips;  express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word;  perceive the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction; receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make fine discriminations in sound; negotiate uneven outdoor terrain on foot; hear and respond to radio communication; and drive motor vehicles at day and at night.
• Required to participate in the Zoo's occupational health program due to exposure of animal containment areas.
• Must be able to supervise and direct staff in efficient, effective and productive use of resources through sound planning, organizing, coaching, and directing.
• Must have the ability to establish a network of professional colleagues and communicate/collaborate with peers throughout the country in order to acquire and place animals and stay abreast of advances and trends in captive management and exhibition of wildlife. 
• Must have very good written and oral communication skills.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Must have a diverse knowledge of the taxonomy, natural history, ecology, behavior, anatomy, physiology, captive care & management, and reproduction of bird species in collections managed or with very similar species (e.g. passerines, alcids, ratites, storks, cranes, waterfowl, pigeons & doves, hornbills, kingfishers)
• Demonstrated experience with collections management at an AZA accredited facility, or similar accredited institution.
• Thorough knowledge of animal husbandry including feeding and nutrition, recordkeeping, animal capture and restraint, and safety procedures in the handling of animals in the collection.
• Demonstrated experience with AZA accreditation standards or equivalent for animal welfare and management.
• Must have proven leadership and staff management skills.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences, Zoology, Animal Husbandry, or related curriculum from an appropriately accredited institution and four years progressive experience in zoological work in an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited zoo; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences, Zoology, Animal Husbandry, or related curriculum from an appropriately accredited institution and four years progressive experience in zoological work in an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited zoo; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Perks

• https://oshr.nc.gov/state-employee-resources/benefits

Salary

• $54,197 - $69,370