Mill Mountain Zoo announced Tuesday that Dave Orndorff -- who for two years has pulled double duty as general curator and executive director -- will step down as the facility's director once a replacement is hired. He will continue to serve as curator.

"At first it wasn't that hard, but the zoo became better known and the collection became more diverse," he said of his dual positions. "I didn't feel I could devote 100 percent of my time to both [positions] and give both the justice they deserved."

"This is something he's been talking about," zoo spokeswoman Lisa Uhl said. "In the past six months, working with the board and the community ... it's more than evident the curatorial position is going to demand more of his attention."

Orndorff, 53, managed the bird collection at the San Diego Zoo for 11 years before he was hired as Mill Mountain Zoo's curator in July 2007.

He began the job during a tumultuous period for Mill Mountain, when Sean Greene, then-executive director, was trying to reverse the zoo's sinking finances and secure accreditation. The facility passed a September 2007 review and received national accreditation, but a month later, Greene resigned. By year's end, Orndorff was promoted to director in addition to remaining the zoo's curator.

Uhl said the search for a new director will begin today. She said the position carries a salary "in the $40,000 range."

"It may take a month, it may take a year," Uhl said. "We don't need 'someone,' we need someone who can take the zoo to the right position, to move the zoo forward."

Expanding the facility's collection and working closer with animals are among Orndorff's plans for the upcoming year.

"I look forward to my continued future with the zoo and helping it become ... more of an effective leader in conservation programs," he said.