Summary:
The Education Manager of Special Events & Public Programs serves as an ambassador of the Memphis Zoo through engaging educational experiences, special events, and public programming. Duties include designing and leading programs, participating in offsite outreaches, supporting daily education and interpretive programs, engaging with guests, and overseeing part-time Zoo Educators. This position works cooperatively with the Education Department, Zoo team members, volunteers, and interns to ensure exceptional guest service while upholding Zoo policies.
This Manager position will be primarily responsible for our After-Dark programming, adult and general audience programming, Scout programming, and all other weekend programming such as birthday parties, workshops, tabling events, as well as additional public programming. All Managers contribute to our seasonal events, as well as any education programming as needed.
Essential Job Functions:
- Ensure the staffing needs of the education department are maintained by hiring, training, and supervising the part-time educators.
- This position will oversee the hiring, timecard management, annual reviews (where applicable), etc. of those staff members.
- Research, develop, and present educational programs to school classes, scout groups, camps, and other groups (live, in person, on air, virtually, or pre-recorded)
- Provide unique, interactive, and educational experiences for program participants and Zoo guests.
- Ensure safety of guests, animals, and staff through practicing professional classroom, camp, tour, informal programming, and nature exploration management.
- Provides excellent service to guests, program participants, and team members/volunteers.
- Develops and maintains professional relationships with personnel from outside organizations and facilities as well as internal Memphis Zoo teams and leaders.
- Assists with tours, events, promotional activities, etc. as needed.
- Helps ensure that the Education Department functions smoothly and productively; tasks include preparing, organizing, cleaning, inventory, and maintaining equipment, facilities, and supplies.
- Maintain laboratory safety and compliance while performing dissections or other hands-on experiments.
- Handle animals and facilitate educational animal encounters.
- Maintain records, reports, budgets, and program data.
Manager Focus
- Lead the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the Zoo's Special Events education portfolio, including After-Dark programs, adult programs, Scout programs, birthday parties, workshops, tabling events, and other public education experiences.
- Oversee the coordination, staffing, and operational logistics for evening, weekend, and seasonal education programs.
- Develop new educational experiences and revenue-generating programs that support the Zoo's mission and enhance the guest experience.
- Coordinate annual program calendars and staffing plans to ensure successful delivery of assigned programs throughout the year.
- Evaluate program participation, guest feedback, and operational outcomes to identify opportunities for growth and continuous improvement.
Minimum Education and Experience:
- Bachelor's degree in education, biology, zoology or related field.
- 5 years of relevant experience, or any equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to do the job.
- Possesses expertise in overseeing, guiding, or supervising professionals.
Preferred Education and Experience:
- Have or working towards Interpretive Guide Certification.
- Previous experience in working in professional childcare, educational, entertainment or hospitality organization.
- Previous experience handling and caring for exotic animals.
- Competency with basic graphic design and video editing.
Competencies:
- Proficient in MS Office, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.
- Recordkeeping, reporting, and data management.
- Stress management/composure.
- Problem solving skills.
- Guest experience excellence.
- Relationship building.
- Cross-department collaboration.
- Leadership and staff development.
- Program innovation.
- Communication and presentation skills.
- Operational planning and organization.
Supervisory Responsibility: This position has up to 15 direct reports.
Reporting Structure: Reports to the Curator of Education.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:
This is a full-time salaried position. Because the programs within this portfolio primarily occur during evenings and weekends, regular availability during these times is required to support program operations. During peak season, the schedule will require a 5-day work week that includes both weekend days and the ability to work some evenings and holidays. Some workdays may exceed eight hours, and occasional overnight duties may be required to meet operational needs.
This position is considered exempt under the federal and state wage and hour laws.
Work Environment:
While performing the duties of the job, the employee will frequently work in alternate settings between indoors (classroom/office environment) and outdoors (Zoo grounds). When outdoors this position is required to work in various weather conditions including rain, humidity, and extreme heat or cold. This role will interact with large groups of children and adults in a classroom environment and on zoo grounds near animal ambassadors.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
This position requires frequent standing/walking/bending/kneeling/crouching and may occasionally move or lift objects up to 20 pounds. Position also requires ability to navigate through Zoo grounds, with or without the use of an electric golf cart, and ability to communicate over telephone and radio.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Other Duties:
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Other Requirements:
- Valid driver's license.
- Proof of current automobile insurance.
- Clear driving record.
- Clear background check.
- Clear drug screening.
- Clear TB screening.
- 21 years or older
Benefits & Perks
The Memphis Zoo has a comprehensive benefits and employee perks package. Please see our Memphis Zoo Careers page for details.
EEOC and Inclusion Statement:
The Memphis Zoo believes that human diversity is as important as the biodiversity we seek to conserve. World-class zoos are comprised of world-class team members representing a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We value a diverse workplace and strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, and veterans to apply.
The Memphis Zoo is an equal-opportunity employer. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws. If you need to request any accommodations for the interview or hiring process, please let the Human Resources team (HR) know. HR can be contacted at hrteam@memphiszoo.org.
The Memphis Zoo participates in E-Verify and is an EEO/ADA/Veteran employer.
All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of pre-employment screening. Memphis Zoo is a drug-free workplace.
How to Apply:
Applications should be submitted via the Memphis Zoo Careers page. Please note that any other application submissions will not be considered. www.memphiszoo.org/careers.
