Job Description: Zookeeper - Asia Herps

Company: North Carolina Zoo
Location: Asheboro, North Carolina (United States)
Job Category: General
Job Type: Full Time
Salary: $Recruitment Salary: $32,639 - $43,800 - Salary (annual)

Back to Search Apply Now

Zookeeper - Asia Herps

The North Carolina Zoo is expanding! The NC Zoo is seeking three (3) enthusiastic team members to be part of its new Asia section working with Komodo Dragons, King Cobras, Chinese Alligators, and a number of other reptile, amphibian, and fish species. Responsibilities include the daily assessment and care of reptiles, amphibians, and fish, both on-habitat and off-habitat animal areas.   

 

Key Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

·         Systematic observing of animal health and behavior. Participating in a behavior focused program that utilizes trust-based relationships, animal choice and control, and positive reinforcement operant conditioning to work cooperatively with the Asian reptiles/amphibians to provide optimal care.  

·         Interacting with zoo guests in formal and informal settings.         

·         Developing and implementing holistic behavioral management program which utilizes training, enrichment, variability, and research to provide a dynamic environment for optimal welfare.

·         Maintaining appropriate water quality in aquatic systems.

·         Record keeping for computer databases. 

·         Actively participating in team problem solving and decision-making processes.

·         Participating 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 a reasonable accommodation.

·         Must be able to frequently lift up to 50 lbs. with or without a reasonable accommodation.

·         Must have, or be able to obtain, and maintain a valid NC driver's license to drive a state vehicle.

 

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

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.
  
Qualified candidates must have or be able to:

·         Demonstrated hands-on animal care experience with a diverse number of exotic reptile/amphibian species, including management and handling of venomous species, at an AZA accredited zoo, sanctuary setting or related facility to include the following:             

1.      Positive reinforcement based operant conditioning

2.      Environmental enrichment

3.      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 reptiles/amphibians gained from working at an AZA accredited zoo, sanctuary setting or related facility.

·         Demonstrated experience with record-keeping.

·         Demonstrated experience using MS Office.

·         Proven communication skills such as visitor interactions, public speaking, reporting and/or team interactions.

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, natural sciences,
 or related curriculum from an appropriately accredited institution

and
 one year of experience working in a zoo-based or related animal care facility;
or
 an equivalent combination of education and experience.