The North Carolina Zoo is seeking applications for the position of Zoo Clinical Nutritionist. The Clinical Nutritionist is a leader and an integral member of the Veterinary Medical Section of the North Carolina Zoo, helping to create a culture based on high quality animal care and welfare. This position will begin building a comprehensive nutrition program and will advance the mission of the North Carolina Zoo by developing and managing the animal nutrition program. Zoo Clinical Nutritionist will report to the Director of Animal Health and will work collaboratively with veterinary, animal care and horticultural staff in monitoring the health of the animal collection with respect to nutritional status and diet/browse consumption. This position is responsible for the development and management of the North Carolina Zoo’s nutrition center and its daily operation.
Position Responsibilities:
- Establishing policies and procedures regarding the nutrition program for the zoo collection including maintaining the department procedures manual, monitoring diet consumption, diet formulation, evaluation, analysis, and implementation.
- Reviewing of the dietary husbandry protocols to ensure nutritional adequacy of diets regarding maintenance of health, breeding soundness, environmental enrichment and training.
- Maintaining accurate records and preparing reports as it relates to animal nutrition.
- Conducting all commissary operations in a manner that meets or exceeds AZA and USDA requirements and providing recommendations for complying with relevant regulations.
- Engaging with the public and the media to promote the scientific and educational aspects of the North Carolina Zoo’s Mission.
- Participating in teaching at veterinary camps, tours, and outreach/public engagements.
- Developing and participating in clinical research associated with the health of animals in human care and free-ranging wildlife.
- Developing funding sources and partnerships.Producing scientific papers and reports for associated research.
Position Requirements:
- Position is considered “Essential/Mandatory Staff” and required to work on adverse weather days and during zoo emergencies.
- Must be able to work a rotating schedule including holidays and weekends that involves indoor and outdoor work in all weather conditions.
- Must participate in occupational health program due to potential exposures to zoonosis.
- 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 sounds, radio communication and emergency situations with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Must have, or be able to obtain, and maintain a valid NC driver’s license within 90 days of hire.
- Must be able to manage emergency situations efficiently and effectively by determining priorities in a highly active and stressful environment.
- Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written form and maintain detailed accurate records and files.
- Ability to select, train, and supervise employees engaged in all aspects of the nutritional program at the North Carolina Zoo.
- Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with other departments and state/federal agencies on a cooperative basis for mutual goals.
- Ability to strategically think and plan for both short term and long-term zoo based nutritional objectives.
- Ability to critically analyze organizational issues after a review of evidence and data.
- Ability to advise and provide input to management regarding strategic plans, development of policies and procedures, and veterinary division organizational issues.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies:
Qualified candidates will have:
- Demonstrated experience using the theories and principles of comparative nutrition and its impacts on animal health and disease pathophysiology.
- Proven experience and skill in nutrition and dietary assessment techniques including interpretation of data.
- Demonstrated experience with quality and quantity food production, food systems management and food safety.
- Demonstrated experience with comparative nutrition working in an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited zoo.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree from an appropriately accredited institution and three (3) years of program experience related to the area of assignment, including one year of supervisory program experience; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
Perks
- https://oshr.nc.gov/state-employee-resources/benefits
