Description of Work
***Pay Grade NC09 - Recruitment Range - $38,516 - $60,000***
The North Carolina Zoo seeks a dynamic, motivated and progressive individual to serve as the Associate Curator of International Conservation within the zoos’ 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 and Research. The position also has responsibility for overseeing a subset of the zoo’s international field conservation projects. The Associate Curator of Conservation works closely with the Curator of Conservation and Research 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 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 and Research. Position requires ability to travel nationally and internationally on zoo business and work flexible hours including occasional weekends.
Key Responsibilities:
- Manages and/or conducts international conservation and research projects as part of the zoo’s larger conservation and research program. This includes setting goals for individual projects, conducting field research, establishing and maintaining partnerships with other organizations, and implementing project activities.
- Plays a significant role in executing the zoo’s anti-poaching conservation and research work via testing and implementing SMART software, administration of EarthRanger interfaces related to zoo’s work, and conducting additional field work related to these efforts.
- Supports conservation and research program via data and statistical analysis to include analysis of GIS and animal telemetry data and addressing statistics needs and support for other programs or staff.
- In collaboration with other conservation and research staff, supports communications and outreach associated with the Conservation Program. This includes writing articles for zoo publications, website, and social media and supporting integration of conservation into education programs or graphics.
- Presents research results and conservation outcomes in peer-reviewed journals, at professional conferences, to zoo staff, and to the public.
- Works with Curator of Conservation and Research to raise funds to support the NC Zoo Conservation and Research Program. Seeks grant funding to support the Conservation and Research Program. Identifies and applies for appropriate grants and manages funds for any grants received. Contributes to development of a funding strategy for the long-term increased support of the NC Zoo Conservation and Research Program. Participates in fund-raising activities conducted by the zoo and the Zoo Society in support of the field conservation program.
Position/Physical Requirements:
- Performs 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.
- Requires traveling both nationally and internationally to oversee a subset of the zoo’s international field conservation projects.
- Requires working flexible hours including occasional weekends.
- Obtains and maintains a valid NC Driver's License within 30 days of employment to drive a state vehicle.
- Participation in the Zoo’s occupational health program due to potential hazards.
- Must be flexible and comfortable working on several tasks at once, both independently and with colleagues.
Learn about the NC ZOO: https://www.nczoo.org
Learn about employee perks/benefits: https://oshr.nc.gov/state-employee-resources/benefits
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.**
- Demonstrated working experience of wildlife biology, ecology, animal behavior, and/or conservation biology, depending on area of specialization.
- Demonstrated working experience conducting field conservation work and/or ecological research, including animal handling and restraint.
- Proven knowledge in the use of technology for furthering conservation outcomes, such as telemetry, GIS, camera traps, or other relevant emerging technologies.
- Demonstrated knowledge of data analysis particularly in relation to animal movement, and behavior.
- Demonstrated success in grant, scientific, and/or popular writing.
- Demonstrated public speaking skills with experience presenting to both public and professional audiences. Experience in informal science education is a plus.
Management Preference:
- Experience with SMART conservation monitoring software (www.smartconservationtools.org), EarthRanger, or similar tools.
- The use of R or other statistical software .
- Experience in informal science education.
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.