Conservation Engagement & Learning Manager

We are committed to saving wildlife in wild places. Our mission is to help create connections between our guests and animals to inspire awe and action on behalf of wildlife. Every employee at Palm Beach Zoo contributes to our wildlife-saving mission. We work with local conservation partners in Florida as well as assist with international programs in Africa and Central America. Palm Beach Zoo is also proud to have our own coral conservation dive team. Our programs extend well beyond our lush, 23-acre property. We believe that anyone can be a wildlife hero. Whoever you are, wherever you are from, you are welcome here.

• This position will be instrumental in co-creating the Conservation Engagement and Learning Department’s new vision with the Director of Conservation Engagement and Learning for the Zoo and our greater community.
• This position will manage a team that will collaborate cross departmentally to tell the Zoo’s story of saving wildlife and wild places and evaluating the Zoo’s journey in mission effectiveness.
• This hands-on position will be a practitioner as well as manage staff and programs.

Essential Position Functions

• Assists in developing the annual work plan for the CE&L department including goals, objectives, action plans, timelines, evaluations, resource requirements, and budgets.
• Co-create with the Director of CE&L a program an evaluation plan for school-based and guest engagement activities in our outdoor Zoo-wide classroom that are centered on wildlife-saving actions.
• Hire, train, manage and retain future engagement staff.
• Co-create, manage and evaluate a new Wildlife Saving Zoo Teen Volunteer program focused on habitat interpretation and saving wildlife and wild places.
• Co-create, manage and evaluate the Zoo’s Summer Camp program.
• Co-create, implement, and evaluate conservation engagement programs for Zoo guests and special wildlife saving campaigns and events that inspire action (i.e., Earth Day – Saving the Planet Weekend, animal enrichment events, Go Wild! Summer Guest Engagement Program, Florida Wildlife Corridor Day, Save the Florida Panther Day, Wildlife Saving Gardens Week, Plastics Free July, Nature Play, etc.).
• Support staff professional development conservation programs such as camera trapping, bio-blitz, guided walks, and other community-based science projects.  
• Develop and incorporate conservation action messaging and activities in all programs.
• Strive to provide dynamic storytelling training and experiences that are inspiring, engaging, energetic and connect staff and guests to our wildlife mission.   
• Develops, schedules, confirms, promotes, and presents educational programs, both on & off site using biofacts and occasionally live animals.
• Cataloging and tracking mission evaluations.
• Train data collectors including volunteers, youth, and staff to support evaluation plans.
• Ability to multi-task in a rapidly changing work environment effectively balancing and prioritizing multiple projects with competing deadlines. 

Education Requirements and Technical Skills

• A minimum of five years’ paid experience hiring, managing, evaluating and retaining education/learning/engagement/summer camp paid personnel at a zoological/aquarium/science center/conservation-based organization or related facility. 
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field is required.
• Proven experience in the development, implementation and evaluation of environmental education programs for K-12 students and general audiences. 
• Leadership experience in developing and managing teen volunteers and interns.
• Strong experience in developing and implementing all aspects of summer camp programs.
• Working experience in community based social marketing/behavior change to save wildlife is strongly desired.
• Proven ability to communicate effectively, including a proficiency in clear, concise, and compelling oral and written communications. 
• Ability to understand and follow moderately complex objectives and instructions.Ability to resolve problems and/or issues without compromising high quality standards.
• NAI Certified Interpretive Guide certification strongly desired.
• Must have valid Florida driver’s license.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in weather conditions typical to South Florida.
• Ability to use radio, telephone, and computer to communicate and follow written and verbal instructions.
• Must be willing and able to work outside of regular working hours for programs, special events and trainings.

What We Offer:

• A competitive salary, commensurate with your skills and experience
• An EXCELLENT benefits package (current year/plan), which includes:
• 100% paid employee level coverage for designated medical & dental plan
• 100% paid coverage for 100K of life insurance
• 100% paid short-term disability
• 100% paid long-term disability
• 401K – Employer contributes 3% of your salary
• Optional vision, accident and critical illness coverages available through pre-tax payroll deductions
• Generous paid time off policy, Zoo Membership and FREE admission to other Florida Attractions!
• The position will be open until filled. 
• We will contact qualified candidates whom we have chosen to move forward in the interview process.
• Palm Beach Zoo is an equal opportunity employer and makes all employment decisions, including those related to recruitment, hiring, training and promotion without regard to race, religion, color, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.
• Inclusion Diversity Equity and Access (IDEA) Commitment
• Our Mission is to inspire people to act on behalf of wildlife and the natural world. We recognize that the only way to accomplish our mission is to include all people across all races, ethnicities, genders, ages, religions, mental/physical abilities, and sexual orientations.
• Just as we value biodiversity, we recognize and appreciate the value of human diversity as being integral to our ability to connect with our visitors and the communities we serve.

Experience Required

• A minimum of five years’ paid experience hiring, managing, evaluating and retaining education/learning/engagement/summer camp paid personnel at a zoological/aquarium/science center/conservation-based organization or related facility.

Perks

• Great benefits,
• collaborative culture of conservation and positive growth

Salary

• Commensurate with experience