Exhibit Design Technician

State of North Carolina • Randolph County, NC

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The North Carolina Zoo is hiring an Exhibit Design Technician to work with its Exhibit Design department. The position helps conceptualize, design, fabricate, build, and maintain animal and educational exhibits, themed playgrounds, and other guest experiences. The work supports the physical and psychological needs of the animals while meeting operational, husbandry, and safety requirements for staff and animals and providing recreational and educational opportunities for Zoo guests.

The technician also works with the Curator of Design to plan, implement, and maintain the Zoo’s public art collection. Projects may involve translating abstract concepts into functioning objects, from initial development and schematic design through documentation, logistics, installation, and project management. The position is based at the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro, North Carolina, and has a Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–4 p.m. schedule.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in art, art history, design, or a related field from an appropriately accredited institution, with coursework in three-dimensional design, and two years of experience in museum exhibit design; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Coursework in three-dimensional design; transcripts must be submitted with the application to receive credit.
• Valid U.S.-issued driver’s license, or ability to obtain one within 90 days of employment.
• Ability to lift 60 pounds regularly, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to perform strenuous physical work in indoor and outdoor animal enclosures, including walking, standing, bending, and responding to emergencies, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to climb ladders or stairs and perform tasks from elevated levels, including scaffolding and lifts.
• Ability to work in confined spaces and endure extended outdoor field conditions in various weather.
• Visual acuity to operate motor vehicles and assess the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of work, and ability to make general observations of facilities and structures.
• Ability to participate in the Zoo’s Occupational Health Program and pass a pre-employment screen conducted by the assigned provider.
• Experience with PowerPoint, Word, and Excel.
• Experience using basic tools, equipment, and/or construction materials.
• Ability to maintain effective work relationships and work as a team player.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with three-dimensional fabrication or creation.
• Experience with or knowledge of fabrication materials and methods, such as wood, metal, cement, fiberglass, paint, glass, resin, or casting.
• Experience with or knowledge of large and small power tools and hand tools, such as welding and woodworking tools, metalworking tools, foam-carving tools, lathes, angle grinders, hammer jacks, and lifts.
• Ability to read or understand construction drawings, site plans, elevations, or sections as they relate to designing or enhancing themed spaces.
• Ability to communicate design ideas or three-dimensional concepts effectively to non-design professionals.
• Experience with materials used in exhibit fabrication and construction, including metalwork, woodworking, concrete, welding, model making, mold making, urethanes, epoxies, resins, paint, and additive or reductive carving or sculpting.
• Ability to create high-quality artificial exhibit components, such as large-scale artificial rocks, artificial trees, interactive elements, enrichment items, and thematic elements.

Responsibilities

• Design, fabricate, build, and maintain Zoo educational interpretive exhibits and themed playgrounds.
• Translate abstract concepts into functioning objects, including development, schematic design, construction, documentation, logistics planning, installation, and project management.
• Gather and present site information and prepare preliminary budgets, schedules, and plans for review with staff, architects, designers, and outside contractors.
• Research animal subjects’ natural history, behavior, and physical capabilities, and consult with animal curators to ensure exhibit layouts and components meet the needs of the animal collection.
• Research exhibit fabrication materials and methods, refine specifications, and develop fabrication options for review.
• Create artificial exhibit components and other thematic or interactive elements, potentially including artificial rocks, trees, and animal enrichment items.
• Organize, prepare for, and attend progress meetings with in-house staff, project architects, designers, contractors, and State Construction representatives.
• Work with the Curator of Design to plan, implement, and maintain the Zoo’s public art collection.

Benefits

• The job posting points applicants to information about employee perks and benefits but does not specify individual benefits.
• Eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program is noted for state employees with student loans.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level