The NC Zoo is seeking two enthusiastic team members to be part of the Chimpanzee, Lion, and Lemur Zookeeper team. Responsibilities include the daily assessment and care of both on-habitat and off-habitat animal areas with Chimpanzees, Lions and Lemurs.
Daily duties also include:
- Systematic observation of animal health and behavior.
- Participation in a behavior focused program that utilizes trust-based relationships, animal choice and control, and positive reinforcement operant conditioning to work cooperatively with a large chimpanzee troop, lions, and red-ruffed lemurs to provide optimal care.
- Interaction with zoo guests in formal and informal settings.
- Development and implementation of a holistic behavioral management program which utilizes training, enrichment, variability, and research to provide a dynamic environment for optimal welfare.
- Heavy lifting of hay, grain, manure, substrates, etc.; heavy duty cleaning and scrubbing is a routine occurrence.
- Record keeping for computer databases.
- Actively participating in team problem solving and decision-making processes.
- Participation in NC Zoo programs, to include behavioral management, enrichment and Environmental Management System (EMS) programs.
- May be assigned to work with other animal species in other work units as needed.
Position/Physical Requirements:
- Job offer is contingent upon passing a pre-employment screen conducted by assigned provider.
- Required to participate in the zoo's occupational health program due to potential exposure to zoonosis.
- Must be able to work a rotating schedule that involves working weekends, holidays and after regular work shifts.
- Position is considered "Essential/Mandatory Staff" requiring work on adverse weather days and during zoo emergencies.
- Must be able to capture, handle and restrain live exotic and potentially dangerous animals and use associated capture equipment.
- Must have the ability to perform strenuous physical work with alertness to surroundings in extremes of weather and challenging physical environments with or without accommodation.
- Must be able to frequently lift up to 50 lbs. with or without accommodation.
- Must have, or be able to obtain, and maintain a valid NC driver's license to drive a state vehicle.
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.
Qualified candidates will have:
- Demonstrated hands-on animal care experience with primates and/or large felids at an AZA accredited zoo, sanctuary setting or related facility to include the following:
- Positive reinforcement based operant conditioning
Environmental enrichment
- Observing and understanding the complexities of animal behavior, including individual animals and larger social context
- Demonstrated experience of animal husbandry to include thorough working knowledge of biology, including animal anatomy, physiology, ecology, behavior and safe practices around dangerous animals and mammals gained from working at an AZA accredited zoo, sanctuary setting or related facility.
- Demonstrated experience with record-keeping.
- Demonstrated experience using MS Office Suite programs.
- Proven communication skills such as visitor interactions, public speaking, reporting and/or team interactions.
Further Comments
- Selected candidate salary will be determined within the hiring range based on qualifications, equity, and funding at the time of hire.
Perks
- https://oshr.nc.gov/state-employee-resources/benefits
Salary
- Hiring range: 31,688-43,800
