Browse and Forage Coordinator at State of… · Asheboro

Agency Dept of Natural and Cultural Resources

Division Zoological Park

Job Classification Title Grounds Supervisor II (S)

Position Number 65044364

Grade NC08

About Us

The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) enriches people’s lives through education and stewardship of North Carolina’s natural and cultural resources. DNCR manages over 100 locations across the state, including historic sites, museums, state parks, trails, aquariums, the North Carolina Zoo, the Library of North Carolina, the State Archives, the North Carolina Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the North Carolina Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. These programs and places unite North Carolinians, create a shared identity, and provide common ground. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov. We encourage you to apply to become a part of our team.

Description of Work Join the North Carolina Zoo during an exciting period of growth as we prepare for the opening of Asia! The North Carolina Zoo is seeking to hire an energized and collaborative Browse and Forage Coordinator. The Browse and Forage Coordinator is the subject matter expert and program leader responsible for the development, implementation, and daily management of the North Carolina Zoo's Browse and Forage Program, ensuring a safe, sustainable, and nutritionally appropriate supply of browse and forage for the Zoo's animal collection. The Browse and Forage Coordinator supports the North Carolina Zoo's mission through education, research, professional engagement, and the advancement of innovative browse and forage management practices.

Key Responsibilities • Lead the North Carolina Zoo's Browse and Forage Program, overseeing the harvesting, procurement, preservation, storage, quality control, and distribution of browse, hay, and forage to support the health and welfare of the Zoo's animal collection. • Supervise, train, and mentor browse staff, interns, volunteers, and seasonal employees, fostering a culture of safety, teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement while ensuring high-quality browse operations. • Work closely with the Clinical Nutritionist, Veterinary Services, Horticulture, and Animal Care staff to develop and maintain a browse program that supports animal nutrition, behavioral enrichment, and long-term sustainability. • Coordinate year-round browse production and availability by managing browse gardens, harvesting operations, preservation methods, approved plant inventories, and relationships with commercial vendors and community partners. • Manage browse program resources, including budgets, equipment, vehicles, inventories, and vendor relationships, while identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and program effectiveness. • Maintain safe and compliant operations by developing standard operating procedures, providing staff training, and ensuring compliance with Zoo policies and applicable safety and regulatory standards. • Provide hands-on leadership in daily browse operations, assisting with harvesting, preservation, and delivery as needed to ensure reliable support for the Zoo's animal nutrition program.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Please note: Job postings close at 11:59:59 p.m. the night before the listed Posting End Date above.

Recruitment Range: $39,244 - $58,962

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.

Candidates meet the minimum qualifications of this position if they meet the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement. Vacancy specific knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) and/or management preferences are not required. Applicants who possess the following are preferred:

• Experience managing a browse, forage, horticulture, agricultural, forestry, or similar plant-based production program.
• Knowledge and experience with browse identification, plant toxicology, sustainable harvesting practices, forage preservation techniques, and plant production systems.
• Familiarity with animal nutrition principles and the role of browse and forage in supporting animal health, welfare, behavioral enrichment, and natural feeding behaviors.

Position/Physical Requirements

• Work schedule: Typically, Monday – Friday, 7am – 4pm
• Must be able to work weekends, holidays and after regular work shifts.
• Job offer is contingent upon passing a pre-employment screen conducted by assigned provider.
• This position is designated as Essential/Mandatory and is required to work adverse weather events and may be called to work special events.
• Required to participate in the zoo's occupational health program.
• Must have a valid driver’s license issued from within the United States or be able to obtain one within 90 days of employment.
• Must be able to perform physically demanding work, including lifting up to 50 pounds, walking long distances over uneven terrain, climbing, bending, reaching, and working outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Must be able to safely operate and train others in the use of vehicles, trailers, chainsaws, pole saws, tractors, and other browse harvesting and landscaping equipment.
• Must possess strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills with the ability to supervise staff, coordinate multiple projects, and maintain accurate records.
• Working knowledge of plant identification, browse harvesting, horticulture, forestry, agriculture, or animal nutrition is preferred, with the ability to accurately identify approved browse species and recognize toxic plants.
• Must be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Veterinary Services, Clinical Nutrition, Animal Care, Horticulture, and external partners to support the Browse and Forage Program.
• Must be able to conduct browse operations in compliance with AZA accreditation standards, USDA regulations, OSHA requirements, and North Carolina Zoo policies.
• Must be able to work safely at heights using ladders and elevated work platforms and safely tow trailers and operate four-wheel-drive vehicles over unimproved terrain.

***SIGN-ON BONUS BEING OFFERED***

A sign-on bonus of $1000 is being offered for eligible candidates.  See eligibility at https://oshr.nc.gov/policies/sign-and-retention-bonus-policy
*Payout contingent on funding availability*

This position is located at:

4401 Zoo Parkway

Asheboro, NC 27205

Minimum Education and Experience

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 the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Associate's degree in horticultural or related degree from an appropriately accredited institution

AND

up to three years of experience in the development and implementation of landscape plans and grounds maintenance;

OR

an equivalent combination of education and experience

Division Description

The North Carolina Zoo exists for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of all our citizens and guests. The North Carolina Zoo mission is to protect wildlife and wild places and inspire people to join in conserving the natural world. This mission encompasses both domestic and international efforts, focusing on wildlife conservation, habitat preservation and promoting environmental stewardship.

Learn more about the North Carolina Zoo: https://nczoo.org

Click here to learn about employee perks and benefits.

Click here to see the Total Compensation Calculator.

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, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age (40 or older), disability, National Guard or veteran status, genetic information, political affiliation, or political influence.

We are an Employment First state, ensuring that people with disabilities have equal opportunities to succeed in the state government workplace. DNCR supports pay equity for women, establish paid parental leave for birth, adoption, and foster care, and implement fair chance policies. Join a team that welcomes, values, respects and supports all members of our work community.

Application Process

Be sure to complete the application in its entirety. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.

• 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.
• Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application. The hiring process may take several weeks.
• Applicants are unable to submit more than one application to an individual posting. Only one application received prior to the closing date will be accepted. Applications must be submitted by 11:59:59 PM on the night prior to the closing date.

Degree/College Credit Verification

Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts, and degree evaluations may be uploaded with your application. If you have student loans, becoming a state employee includes eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Visit www.studentaid.gov to learn more.

Veteran’s and National Guard Preference

Applicants seeking Veteran’s Preference must attach a DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, along with the state application.

Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach an NGB 23A (RPAS), along with the state application if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing.

Applicants who are former member of either the NC Army National Guard or the NC Air National Guard, with honorable discharge and six years of creditable service must attach a copy of the DD 256 or NGB 22, along with the state application.

ADA Accommodations

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), DNCR is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, DNCR will ensure that persons with disabilities, or known limitations covered by the PWFA, are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the person indicated below.

Employment Eligibility

It is the policy of the State of North Carolina and DNCR 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).

Sign On Bonus Eligibility

To be eligible for a sign-on bonus, the candidate must not have worked as a probationary, permanent, or time-limited employee in the last 12 months as an employee in North Carolina state government, including without limitation the judicial system, state executive branch agencies, and the university system, subject to the State Human Resources Act. Employee eligible for a sign-on must work at least 20 hours per week.  

All Sign-on Bonuses are contingent upon budget and final eligibility determination as of the effective date of hire.

Additional information regarding the Sign-on Policy can be found here.

CONTACT INFORMATION

N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources

North Carolina Zoo

4401 Zoo Parkway

Asheboro, NC 27205

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

Recruiter: Kimberly West

Email:

employment@dncr.nc.gov