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Associate Curator of International Conservation

State of North Carolina
Full-time
On-site
Randolph County, North Carolina, United States
$39,671 - $60,571 USD yearly

Description of Work



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Application Process
Please watch our video here that walks you through each step of the application process.


This position is located at:

4401 Zoo Parkway

Asheboro, NC 27205



The North Carolina Zoo seeks a dynamic, motivated and progressive individual to serve as the Associate Curator of International Conservation within the Zoo's Conservation, Education, and Science (CES) program. The Associate Curator provides managerial, technical, and administrative support for the North Carolina Zoo's Conservation Program as directed by the Curator of Conservation. The position also has responsibility for overseeing a subset of the zoo's international field conservation projects, particularly those involving the implementation of SMART software (www.smartconservationtools.org). The Associate Curator of International Conservation works closely with the Curator of Conservation to ensure objectives of existing field projects are implemented and works on international projects independently. The position has some responsibility for fundraising (both through grant applications and working with the North Carolina Zoological Society) and for communications outreach (website content, social media, and publishing report on zoo's conservation program) in support of the Conservation Program in collaboration with Education, Marketing, and Animal Section staff. The position requires regular contact with other CES Staff, other sections of the zoo, the Zoological Society, and conservation staff at other zoos and other conservation organizations. Work is performed with considerable independence under the general guidance of the Curator of Conservation. Position requires the ability to travel internationally on zoo business and work flexible hours including occasional weekends.

Key Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
  • Manages international conservation projects as part of the zoo’s larger conservation program. This includes setting goals for individual projects, implementing project activities, and establishing and maintaining partnerships with other organizations.
  • Plays a significant role in executing the zoo’s anti-poaching conservation work via the implementation of SMART software and other conservation technologies. 
  • Plays a significant role in representing the zoo, its partners, and the broader conservation community within the leadership of the SMART Partnership, of which the zoo is a member
  • In collaboration with other conservation and research staff, supports communications and outreach associated with the Conservation Program. This includes writing articles for zoo publications, websites, and social media, and supporting integration of conservation into education programs or graphics.
  • Presents the zoo’s work and conservation outcomes in peer-reviewed journals, at professional conferences, to zoo staff, and to the public.
  • Works with Curator of Conservation to raise funds to support the NC Zoo Conservation Program and to contribute to a funding strategy for the long-term increased support of the NC Zoo Conservation Program. Identifies and applies for appropriate grants and manages funds for any grants received.

Position/Physical Requirements:
  • Monday - Friday, 40 hours per week with regular weekend work plus occasional work travel for up to four 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 perform physical demands of the job for extended and irregular periods, and work under adverse conditions in all extremes of weather with or without an accommodation.
  • Must be able to sit for long periods of time.
  • Must be able to do computer/office work for long periods of time.
  • Participation in the Zoo’s occupational health program due to potential hazards.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a valid Driver's License within 30 days of employment to drive a state vehicle.
  • Must be flexible and comfortable working on several tasks at once, both independently and with colleagues. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies

To receive credit for your work history and credentials, you must provide the information on the application form. Any information omitted from the application form, listed as general statements, listed under the text resume section, or on an attachment will not be considered for qualifying credit.
  
Management Prefers:

  • Demonstrated working experience of wildlife biology, ecology, animal behavior, and/or conservation biology
  • Demonstrated working experience conducting field conservation work and/or ecological research
  • Demonstrated public speaking skills with experience presenting to both public and professional audiences. 
  • Advanced degree in conservation biology, ecology, wildlife biology, or related field.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See oshr.nc.gov/experience-guide for detail.

Bachelor’s degree in biology, zoology, or science curriculum related to the area of expertise from an appropriately accredited institution 

and 

two-years’ experience in specialty area: 

a Master’s degree in a natural science area may be substituted for experience; 

or 

an equivalent combination of education and experience.


Supplemental and Contact Information


Section Information:

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 Information:

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 visitwww.dncr.nc.gov. We encourage you to apply to become a part of our team.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

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.

We are an Employment First state, ensuring that people with disabilities have equal opportunities to succeed in the state government workplace. DNCR supports pay equity for women, establish paid parental leave for birth, adoption, and foster care, and implement fair chance policies. Join a team that welcomes, values, respects and supports all members of our work community.
 

Application Process
Please watch our video here that walks you through each step of the application process.

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. 
 
Information should be provided in the appropriate areas, to include the following: Education, including high school and all degrees obtained, Work Experience, and Certificates & Licenses. It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive candidate information. 

Answers to Supplemental Questions are not a substitute for providing all relevant information within the body of your application. To receive credit for the supplemental questions, you must provide supporting information within the "Work Experience" section of the application, to support your answers.

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 several weeks.  
 

Degree/College Credit Verification

Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.  Transcripts, and degree evaluations may be uploaded with your application.  If you have student loans, becoming a state employee includes eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Visit www.studentaid.gov to learn more.

Veteran’s and National Guard Preference

Applicants seeking Veteran’s Preference must attach a DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, along with the state application.

Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach an NGB 23A (RPAS), along with the state application if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing. 

Applicants who are former member of either the NC Army National Guard or the NC Air National Guard, with honorable discharge and six years of creditable service must attach a copy of the DD 256 or NGB 22, along with the state application.

ADA Accommodations

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), DNCR is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, DNCR will ensure that persons with disabilities, or known limitations covered by the PWFA, are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the person indicated below.
 
Employment Eligibility It is the policy of the State of North Carolina and DNCR 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).

Sign On Bonus Eligibility

To be eligible for a sign-on bonus, the candidate must not have worked as a probationary, permanent, or time-limited employee in the last 12 months as an employee in North Carolina state government, including without limitation the judicial system, state executive branch agencies, and the university system, subject to the State Human Resources Act.

NEOGOV Technical Assistance

If you are having technical issues logging into your account or applying for a position, please review the Get Help/FAQ's information on the website. If you are still experiencing technical issues with your application, please call the NEOGOV Help Line at 855-524-5627.


CONTACT INFORMATION: 

N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources

Division of Human Resources

Kim West

4401 Zoo Parkway, Asheboro, NC 27205
Phone:  336-879-7310

employment@dncr.nc.gov