Description of Work

***Pay Grade – NC09, Recruitment Range – $37,577 – $51,668***

Learn about employee perks/benefits: https://oshr.nc.gov/state-employee-resources/benefits
Learn about the NC ZOO: https://www.nczoo.org

*****Job offer is contingent upon passing a pre-employment screen conducted by assigned provider.*****

Primary Purpose of this Position:
The primary purpose of the Curator of Design position is, as a design professional and section manager, to ensure the zoo’s mission objectives are carried out through its animal and educational exhibits and art programs with accuracy, economy and timeliness and in creative ways that are attractive, engaging, informative and safe for the zoo’s diverse audiences. The Curator of Design establishes work objectives, resource and research priorities, aesthetic and artistic directions and budget and scheduling constraints for the Exhibits staff and contractors. Work is performed independently under the general direction of the Zoo Facilities Operations Director. Responsibilities include project planning and coordination, and the development of funding strategies and materials. The Curator will lead or serve as a team member in exhibit programming/planning – developing concepts, content and criteria – and in subsequent phases of design, addressing issues of function, aesthetics, logistics, budget and schedule. During the construction phase of projects, the Curator of Design leads the Exhibits staff in implementation of agreed upon in-house work.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design Section Management: Planning, prioritizing and oversight for projects, budgets, personnel.
• Project Team Member: Participates in the planning/design for new exhibits or major exhibit renovations working with other staff and outside designers and architects on North Carolina Zoo “project teams”.
• Exhibits: Planning, Prioritizing, Reviewing, Evaluating, Financial Management , Workspaces and Conditions: Works closely with the staff and Director of Facilities to develop an in-house program of work relating to animal exhibits and educational exhibits and defines priorities that include plans for new exhibits and maintenance or improvements to existing exhibits.
• Art Program: Planning, Implementation and Financial Management: Manages the Arts Program to address a variety of Park programming, physical site needs and donor budgets; works with relevant staff to implement the Arts Plan as schedule and funding allows. Chairs the Art Steering Committee for the Zoo’s Arts Program. Develops the NC Zoo’s Arts Program Plan and adds appropriate projects supportive of the Zoo’s mission on an as needed basis.
• NCZP Mission Branding, Visual Quality & Visitor Experience: Planning, Monitoring, Goal Setting, Design: Takes a leadership role in developing and upholding high visual standards for the Park’s public spaces, exhibits areas, facilities; and, including standards for operating and maintaining the Park, staff operations during public hours, and special events.

Job Requirements:

• Must be able to work a rotating “Manager on Duty” schedule that includes weekends and holidays.
• Must have, or be able to obtain and maintain, a valid NC driver’s license to drive a variety of utility vehicles and trucks.
• Position requires participation in the Zoo’s Occupational Health program. Possible occupational exposure to Zoonotic diseases and possible exposure to chemicals, mechanical hazards, various outside and inside environmental and atmospheric conditions, noise, vibration, work in close quarters, scaffolding work and heights. This position is required to have visual acuity to operate motor vehicles and the ability to determine the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of assigned work. Along with the ability to make general observations of facilities and structures.
• Must have good physical ability, strength, vision & hearing, and the ability to perform some strenuous physical work in challenging physical environments, e.g. outdoor and indoor animal enclosures. Specifically, walk, stand, bending, hear animal sounds, radio communication and emergency situations.
• Must be able to lift up to 40lbs. on a frequent basis.

Primary Purpose of the Organizational Unit:
The North Carolina Zoological Park exists for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of all our citizens and visitors. The mission of the zoo is to conserve and protect representative examples of natural beauty, endangered and threatened plant and animal species, and ecological features of the continents it represents.
The primary purpose of the NC Zoo Design Section is to conceptualize, design, fabricate, and maintain all zoo exhibits (for live animals), which include highly realistic replications of wild habitats and promote the physical and psychological well-being of captive animals. To conceptualize, design, fabricate, and maintain educational interactives and playgrounds to ensure the Zoo’s educational messages are presented in the most effective ways. To enhance the guest experience, over 50 sculptures, murals, paintings, and prints, sited in public buildings, along pathways, in plazas, and at exhibits.

Department Information:
The Department of Natural and Cultural Resources’ (DNCR) 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 mission is to improve quality of life by creating opportunities to experience excellence in the arts, history, libraries and nature throughout North Carolina. The Department works to stimulate learning, inspire creativity, preserve the state’s history, conserve the state’s natural heritage, encourage recreation and cultural tourism, and promote economic development. 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. We encourage you to apply to become a part of our team.
Visit: DNCR

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.**

• Working experience with project management, including problem solving, analysis, teamwork, leadership, and communication.
• Working experience with exhibit fabrication and construction methods and materials. These include additive and subtractive sculptural and model making techniques, casting techniques, fabrication of a broad range of exhibit components, painting, use of concretes, epoxies, urethanes, resins.
• Working experience reading and interpreting schematic drawings as well as construction documents.

Management Preferences:

• Ability to provide aesthetic and visual guidance and expertise in a variety of circumstances and applications, and knowledge of design principles and their applications.
• Ability to analyze criteria and prioritize to meet goals and objectives as part of management team, and to see projects through in planning, implementation and completion.
• Ability to articulate and communicate goals and objectives to the Exhibit Design staff and work productively as part of that team to develop and manage a program of work.
• Ability to delegate appropriately and to coach staff when needed.
• Ability to read and interpret schematic drawings as well as construction documents.
• Ability to research conservation issues specific to selected topics.
• Ability to design to established criteria (if the project is being done in-house).

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Master’s degree in biology, education, history, museum studies, zoology, or a curriculum related to area of expertise from an appropriately accredited institution, and six years of experience in assigned specialty area, two of which must have been in a supervisory capacity; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Supplemental and Contact Information

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, age, disability, 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.

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.

Technical issues submitting your application, please call the NeoGov Help Line at 855-524-5627 .

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 an average of 6 – 8 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
4603 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-4603
Phone: 919-814-6670

Visit our website at www.nczoo.org

Tagged as: Dept of Natural and Cultural Resources