Zookeeper – Elephants Position Available In Randolph, North Carolina

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Zookeeper – Elephants 
Salary $32,639.00 – $43,800.00 Annually Location Randolph County, NC Job Type Permanent Full-Time Job Number 25-06326 ZOO60033415 Department Dept of Natural and Cultural Resources Division Zoological Park Opening Date 05/22/2025 Closing Date 6/4/2025 5:00 PM Eastern Job Class Title Zookeeper Position Number 60033415 Section NC Zoo Salary Grade

NC05 DESCRIPTION

BENEFITS
QUESTIONS
Description of Work

• This is a repost. Previous applicants need to reapply in order to be considered.
• This is a posting for multiple Positions
• Click here to learn about employee perks and benefits Click here to see the Total Compensation Calculator This position is located at: 4401 Zoo Parkway Asheboro, NC 27205
• Job offer is contingent upon passing a pre-employment screen conducted by assigned provider.
• Re-posting – All previous applicant must reapply to be considered Primary Purpose of this

Position:

The NC Zoo is seeking enthusiastic team members to be part of its Watani Grasslands section working with African elephants. Responsibilities include the daily assessment and care of elephants both on-habitat and off-habitat animal areas.

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 the elephants to provide optimal care.
Participation in the Elephant Care Specialist staff development program which is based on proficiency. The program provides a framework for learning and the ability to achieve greater opportunities and responsibilities for improving the care and management of the elephants.
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.
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 reasonable accommodation.
Must be able to frequently lift up to 50 lbs. with or without reasonable accommodation.
Must meet DNCR Fleet Safety Guidelines and have ability to obtain and maintain a valid driver’s license issued from within the United States or be able to obtain one within 90 days of employment. 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 at an AZA accredited zoo or related facility
Demonstrated experience using safe practices and protocols around a variety animals gained from working at an AZA accredited zoo or related facility.
Demonstrated experience with record-keeping.
Demonstrated experience using computers and MS Office.
Proven communication skills to include guest interactions, public speaking, reporting and/or team interactions.

Management Preferences:

Experience with a variety of hooved animals and/or Elephants gained from working at an AZA accredited zoo or related facility Experience with positive reinforcement based operant conditioning and environmental enrichment
Keen observation skills to discern and interpret subtle changes in health, condition and behavior of animals, and to monitor breeding activity. 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.

• If there are no qualified candidates remaining in the applicant pool who meet the minimum Education and Experience or Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required for the position, the agency may consider for this position, a trainee who does not meet the minimum requirements.

Offered salary is based on education and/or years of relevant work experience reflected on the application

Supplemental and Contact Information Supplemental and Contact Information 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.