Interim Niabi Zoo director Marc Heinzman is one of two finalists for the director's job.

The other finalist is Joe Clawson, director of the Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo in Monroe, La., according to a news release from the Rock Island County Forest Preserve District.

There were about 40 applicants for the job and the advertised salary for the position was $55,000 to $70,000.

The media has been invited to interview each of the candidates, starting with Mr. Clawson on Wednesday, followed by Mr. Heinzman next week.

The Forest Preserve District, which oversees the county-owned zoo, worked with the Niabi Zoological Society to narrow the field of candidates.

Former Niabi director Mark Ryan was terminated in January after 15 months on the job and Mr. Heinzman, who was assistance director, has been running the zoo since then.

A Milan native and graduate of St. Ambrose University, Mr. Heinzman began work as assistant director at Niabi in December of 2010.

Mr. Clawson has been director of the Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo since 2009. The zoo has 400 animals, representing about 100 species, 40 full-time and part-time staff, and a budget of $1.4 million.

Mr. Clawson is a graduate of Brigham Young University in Utah and previously worked at Riverside Zoo in Scottsbluff, Neb., and Baton Rouge Zoo in La.

Niabi has 375 animals representing about 170 species, 19 full-time staff, 50 seasonal staff, and a budget of $2.2 million.

The Forest Preserve District is expected to announce the winning candidate for the director's job by the first week of July.