Job Description

Description of WorkRecruitment Salary: $38,516 - $60,571(This is a range. Selected candidate\'s salary will be determined within this range
based on qualifications, equity, and funding at the time of hire.)This position is located at:
4401 Zoo ParkwayAsheboro, NC 27205Primary Purpose of Position:
The North Carolina Zoo seeks a dynamic, motivated and progressive individual to serve as the Associate Curator of Social Science within the Zoos\' Conservation, Education and Science (CES) program. The Associate Curator provides managerial, technical and administrative support for conservation and education programs. The Associate Curator of Social Science works closely with the Curator of Conservation and Research to ensure objectives of existing field projects are implemented and evaluated and works on international projects independently. The position also has responsibility for overseeing the Zoo\'s community-based conservation initiative in Uganda. Position will also lead evaluation efforts related to existing education programs. 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. Work is performed with considerable independence under the general guidance of the Director of Conservation, Education and Science. Position requires ability to travel on Zoo business and work flexible hours including occasional weekends.Key Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Providing relevant expertise for international conservation and research projects, particularly those directly working with communities, as part of the Zoo\'s larger conservation and research program. Conducting field research to inform or evaluate these programs, training staff in evaluation and human dimensions research, implementing project activities, providing strategic insight.
• Managing NC Zoo UNITE conservation education project. Developing and implementing strategic plan and oversight for the program including managing project staff, tracking project budget, receiving and evaluating reports, and maintaining appropriate evaluation for overall program; tracking status of active grants and monitoring adherence to reporting schedules.
• Collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to translate mixed methods (qualitative and quantitative) findings into actionable strategies to improving conservation outcomes.
• Working closely with Curator of Education and Associate Curator of Research to implement research that informs and evaluates existing education programs and guest experiences, including managing overarching visitor satisfaction and experience surveys for the zoo.
• Working to build skills and implement evaluation work and adaptive management for education programming.
• In collaboration with other conservation and research staff, supporting 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.
• Presenting research results and conservation outcomes in peer-reviewed journals, at professional conferences, to Zoo staff, and to the public.
• Working with Director of CES, Curator of Conservation and Research, and Curator of Education to raise funds to support CES programs. Identifying and applying for appropriate grants and managing funds for any grants received. Contributing to the development of a funding strategy for the long-term increased support of CES.

Position/Physical Requirements:

• Work occasional weekends and holidays.
• Travel on Zoo business.
• Perform physical demands of the job under adverse conditions in all extremes of weather with or without an accommodation.
• Obtain and maintain a valid NC Driver\'s License within 60 days of employment to drive a state vehicle.
• Participation in the Zoo\'s Occupational Health Program due to potential hazards.
• Must be able to communicate effectively in oral and written form and maintain detailed accurate records and files.
• Must be able to handle multiple projects/priorities simultaneously, both independently and with colleagues.
• Must have good interpersonal relations/teamwork skills.
• Must be able to work with a team of diverse skill level with minimal supervision.
• Ability to interpret, synthesize, and communicate research findings to varied audiences required including demonstrated public speaking skills with experience presenting to both public and professional audiences.

Learn about the NC ZOO:Learn about employee perks/benefits:Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / CompetenciesTo 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:

• Proven knowledge in design, implementation, analysis, and reporting of education evaluation and social science research related to conservation, using both quantitative methods (surveys), and qualitative methods (focus groups, interviews, or observations).
• Demonstrated knowledge of appropriate social science implementation and analysis tools such as KOBO, Qualtrics, CyberTracker, R, and/or SurveyMonkey.
• Demonstrated experience conducting international field conservation work and ecological research, particularly in relation to community-based conservation.
• Demonstrated experience in grant, scientific, and/or popular writing.

Management Preferences:

• Working knowledge of human dimensions, human-wildlife conflict resolution, and sustainability.
• Experience in informal science education.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with an ability to work with a wide variety of people from different backgrounds and cultures.

Minimum Education and Experience RequirementsSome state job postings say you can qualify by an \xe2\x80\x9cequivalent combination of education and experience.\xe2\x80\x9d 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 of oshr.nc.gov/experience-guide for details.Bachelor\'s degree in biology, zoology, or science curriculum related to the area of expertise from an appropriately accredited institutionandtwo-years\' experience in specialty area:ora Master\'s degree in a natural science area may be substituted for experience;oran equivalent combination of education and experience.Supplemental and Contact InformationThe 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.The takes care of the things that people love about North Carolina, literally from A to Z. The Arts to the Zoo, and so much else - parks, aquariums, historic sites, archaeology, African American Heritage Commission, science and history museums, the state Symphony, Library and Archives, historic preservation, land and water stewardship, and more. These places, and the ideas they represent, create a shared identity in North Carolina. They provide common ground. Everyone is welcome. 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. 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. We encourage you to apply to become a part of our team. Check out about our Department.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.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.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.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 several 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
Ellie Meadows
4401 Zoo Parkway
Asheboro, NC 27205
336-879-7310Technical issues submitting your application, please call the NeoGov Help Line at 855-524-5627.NOTE: For temporary, contract or other supplemental staffing appointments:
There are no paid leave, retirement or other benefits associated with these appointment types.For permanent and time-limited appointments:
Eligible employees have benefits that include employee health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, NC Flex (a variety of high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis), and paid vacation, sick, and community service leave, to name a few. Paid parental leave is available for eligible employees. Some benefits require 30 + hours work/week for participation.

State of North Carolina