Curator of Conservation

The North Carolina Zoo is seeking a dynamic, efficient, and enthusiastic individual to join our team as a Curator of Conservation. This position is responsible for a wide range of duties related to planning, organizing, coordinating and overseeing wildlife conservation field programs on behalf of the Zoo.   This position requires extensive analytical thinking, problem solving, judgment and decision making as work requires engagement with complex problems, highly sophisticated technical research, collaborations with multiple partners, governmental agencies and people of different nationalities, languages and cultures and frequently involves public contact. This position also requires extensive familiarity with research methodology, technological tools and approaches, and current advances in conservation science.

Key Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• North Carolina Zoo Field Conservation Program Oversight
• Identifies field conservation projects, manages budgets, seeks funding in collaboration with Zoo Society, establishes partnerships and collaborations.
• Conducts field conservation work and supports other zoo staff conducting wildlife field conservation work, often under difficult conditions such as working in remote areas of Africa.
• Evaluates projects' effectiveness and produces written reports on project outcomes.
• Conducts original research, analyzes data, publishes scientific papers in professional journals and presents research results at scientific conferences.
• Communicates the Zoo’s conservation work to a broader audience including the general public, donors, Zoo employees, and Zoo visitors through popular articles, lectures, media appearances and other outlets.
• Works independently with administrative review from Director of Conservation, Education and Science.
• Supervises three associate curators and oversees work of several contractors.
• Direct involvement with field conservation projects locally, nationally, and/or internationally

Fundraising for Zoo projects and programs

• Communication of Zoo conservation work to a wide range of different audiences and via different media
• Involvement with programs and committees of national and international professional organizations (e.g. Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Society for Conservation Biology)
• North Carolina Zoo organizational management and development
• Serves as periodic manager on duty for the Zoo

Position/Physical Requirements:

• Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm with regular weekend work and occasional work travel for up to 4 weeks at a time
• Must be able to travel nationally and internationally and function in sometimes remote or rustic field conditions
• Must be able to sit for long periods of time
• Must be able to do computer/office work for long periods of time
• Must be able to live and work under primitive conditions for extended periods of time
• Must be able to participate in the Zoo's Occupational Health Program, receiving identified vaccines and testing.
• Must be able to track and manage budgets.
• This position regularly drives a state-owned vehicle which requires a valid driver’s license issued from within the United States.
• Please visit our website at www.nczoo.org for more information.
• Supplemental and Contact Information

Section/Unit Description:

• The Conservation, Education and Science (CES) Section is responsible for executing activities and programs central to the mission of the NC Zoo.
• The section plans, organizes and executes wildlife conservation programs within North Carolina and internationally.
• CES staff are actively involved in overseeing and conducting wildlife and wild-place conservation activities in the field both independently and in partnership with State, Federal and international organizations and agencies.
• CES is responsible for management of natural areas on over 2,000 acres of zoo-owned land. CES is also responsible for all educational activities and programs conducted by the NC Zoo in furtherance of the zoo’s mission and DNCR goals.
• Educational programming coordinated by CES is wide ranging and includes (but is not limited to) developing interpretive displays at zoo exhibits, organized programs for visiting school groups, educational camps, teacher training workshops, college research internships, activities promoting outdoor activities, developing educational content for zoo social media, community outreach programs and off-site educational programs.
• The CES section oversees the NC Zoo’s extensive volunteer program, which consists of over 300 active volunteers performing over 50,000 hours of service annually.
• Volunteers are active across many areas of zoo operations, including education, visitor services, horticulture, wildlife rehabilitation, and facilities maintenance.
• CES maintains its own ambassador animals and is responsible for overall care and management of this collection.
• This includes, collection planning, animal acquisitions and dispositions, animal care (insuring physical and behavioral animal well-being), animal propagation, animal training and animal behavioral enrichment programs.
• CES staff facilitates, conducts and develops all on-site research, with a particular focus on animal welfare and behavioral monitoring as well as education evaluation.
• Research staff approve, track and coordinate proposals from outside institutions (e.g., universities) and agencies, initiate and participate in multi-institutional research programs, and implement zoo visitor perception and satisfaction surveys.
• CES staff serve as liaisons for multiple professional societies, including with several Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) conservation and science programs.

Division Description:

• The North Carolina Zoo exists for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of all of North Carolina's citizens and visitors to the zoo.
• The mission of the zoo is to encourage the understanding of and commitment to the conservation of the world's wildlife and wild places through the recognition of the interdependence of people and nature.
• The Zoo displays, conserves and protects representative examples of natural beauty, plant and animal species and ecological features of the North American and African regions of the world through the presentation of live animal exhibits from these regions.
• Our goal is to promote equity and inclusion among our employees and our programming to reflect and celebrate our state's diverse population, culture, and history by expanding engagement with diverse individuals and communities.  

Agency Description:

• The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR)takes care of the things that people love about North Carolina.
• DNCR manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program.
• The Department’s vision is to be the leader in using the state's natural and cultural resources to build the social, cultural, educational, and economic future of North Carolina.
• Everyone is welcome.
• For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov .
• We encourage you to apply to become a part of our team!

Experience Required

• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies Demonstrated knowledge of biological science, the scientific method, conservation methods and practices Demonstrated experience with field biology and project management Demonstrated experience working with national and/or international wildlife conservation organization programs and associated contacts and professional networks Demonstrated skills in scientific writing Minimum Education and Experience Requirements - Master’s degree in biology, zoology, or a science curriculum related to area of expertise from an appropriately accredited institution - AND three years' experience in specialty area - OR an equivalent combination of education and experience

Salary

• $50,633.00 - $80,000.00 Annually