Lead Animal Ambassador Specialist

Salary: $32,703.00 - $51,904.00 Annually
Location: Randolph County, NC
Job Type: Permanent Full-Time
Department: Dept of Natural and Cultural Resources
Job Number: 20-04771 ZOO60033417
Closing: 7/30/2020 5:00 PM Eastern
Division/Section: North Carolina Zoo
Work Location: Asheboro
Position Number: 60033417
Recruitment Range: $32,703 - $38,928

Description of Work

***Pay Grade GN07 - Recruitment Range - $32,703 - $38,928***

Department Information:
The Department of Natural and Cultural Resources' (DNCR) 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. Our mission is to improve quality of life by creating opportunities to experience excellence in the arts, history, libraries and nature throughout North Carolina.  The Department works to stimulate learning, inspire creativity, preserve the state's history, conserve the state's natural heritage, encourage recreation and cultural tourism, and promote economic development.  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. We encourage you to apply to become a part of our team. 

Primary Purpose of the Organizational Unit:
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.

Primary Purpose of this Position:
This position coordinates the day-to-day operations of the Animal Ambassador Program and its dedicated team of animal ambassador staff. The position supports zoo wide initiatives to improve animal health and welfare while also acting as a frontline educator sharing the messaging of the Zoo.

Primary duties include daily husbandry (feeding, watering, cleaning, housing), providing approved environmental enrichment, preventative and acute medical care, and all safety practices; as well as plan, implement, and evaluate operant conditioning program. Writes and maintains procedures for husbandry, animal programming standards, and operant conditions and animal handling protocols.

Coordinates and presents educational programs to Zoo guests throughout the park, for VIP’s, and at special events. Enhances the Zoo guests’ experience and contributes to the realization of the North Carolina Zoo’s mission by communicating information about the Zoo’s core values and messages, including animal natural history and key conservation issues.

Provides leadership by training and coaching all fellow employees in the work unit. Demonstrates advanced knowledge and skills related to animal natural history and industry standard best management husbandry practices. Helps lead work unit in planning and organizing and in setting priorities for daily goals and non-routine tasks. Plays lead role in coordinating activities and communicating needs with supervisory staff. 

Job Requirements:

*****Job offer is contingent upon passing a pre-employment screen conducted by assigned provider.
< >Must be able to regularly work weekends, holidays, and after normal work shifts. Employee is considered “essential staff” and required to work on adverse weather days and during Zoo emergencies.Ability to work in a variety of indoor and outdoor environmental conditions, including extreme weather conditions, uneven walking surfaces, and challenging physical environments.Must possess physical agility, good hearing, good vision, and the ability to lift at least 50 lbs and have the ability to capture and restrain live animals.Required to obtain the Certified Interpreter Guide (CIG) training within one year of start date.Must become proficient in animal handling techniques in accordance with the AZA’s standards and philosophy for animal ambassadors (such as snakes, birds, turtles, amphibians, invertebrates, small mammals, and more) and the Zoo’s animal handling policies.Required to participate in the North Carolina Zoo’s occupational health program, receiving vaccinations and regular health screenings.Required to have a valid North Carolina driver license or obtain one upon employment.Must be able to work with computers and MS Office (MS Word, Excel, and Powerpoint). Experience with ZIMS 360 is a plus.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.**
 

Considerable working experience with all stages of behavioral management training, from training plan development through implementation and evaluation of the plan, for a variety of species including but not limited to animal ambassador species.
Considerable working experience in positive reinforcement training and environmental enrichment at an AZA accredited zoo or related facility.
Considerable communication skills to include guest interactions, public speaking, reporting and/or team interactions to a variety of group sizes and ages.
Demonstrated working experience in environmental and conservation education with a working understanding of informal, place-based education techniques for a wide range of audiences.
Demonstrated working experience in the effective use of biofacts, props, and other standard educational equipment.
Demonstrated working experience with basic life support equipment (e.g., supplemental lighting, heaters, timers, filters) and their operation.
National Association for Interpretation’s Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG) certification preferred.

****Management Preferences:
 

Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Wildlife Science, Conservation Biology, Education, Interpretation, Zoology, or related field from an accredited institution and five (5) years of zoo or related work, preferably in an animal ambassador unit.
National Association for Interpretation’s Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG) certification preferred.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a natural science program from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of experience in the development and presentation of natural science interpretive and educational programs; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Supplemental and Contact Information

The Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) selects applicants for employment based on required education and experience and job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age (40 or older), disability, National Guard or veteran status, genetic information, political affiliation or political influence.
 
Please be sure to complete the application in full. Resumes may be uploaded with your application, but will not be accepted in lieu of a fully completed application and will not be considered for qualifying credit.  "See Resume" or "See Attachment" will NOT be accepted. 
 
Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.  Transcripts, and degree evaluations may be uploaded with your application. 
 
To obtain veterans preference, you must scan and upload a copy of your DD-214 or discharge orders. 
 
Technical issues submitting your application, please call the NeoGov Help Line at 855-524-5627.
 
Applicants requesting and receiving an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are eligible to submit paper applications via mail or by fax.  Please call the human resources office for assistance.
 
If multiple applications are submitted to an individual posting, only the most recent application received prior to the closing date will be accepted. Applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM on the closing date.
 
Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account.  Upon the closing date, applications are "Under Review" and will be screened by Human Resources for the qualified applicants. The hiring process may take an average of 6 – 8 weeks.  
 
It is the policy of the State of North Carolina and the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources that all employees provide proof of employment eligibility (immigration and naturalization) on the first day of employment.   We participate in E-Verify (Employment Eligibility Verification System).
 
CONTACT INFORMATION: 
N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
Division of Human Resources
4603 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-4603
Phone:  919-807-7373

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