Education Manager

Summary: The Education Manager acts as an ambassador of the Zoo through a variety of on-site and off-site educational programs. Duties include designing and leading curriculum-based programs, participating in offsite outreaches, supporting daily education and interpretive programs, engaging with guests, and overseeing Zoo Educators. This position works cooperatively with the Education Department, Zoo team members, volunteers, and interns.

• 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, and tabling events. All Managers contribute to our seasonal events, as well as any education programming as needed.

Essential 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.

Competencies

• Oral and written communication proficiency
• Proficient in MS Office, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.
• Records and reports creation and management
• Teamwork orientation
• Stress management/composure
• Problem solving skills

Required 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.

Supervisory Responsibility:

• This position will oversee part-time staff in the Education Department.

Reporting Structure:

• This position reports to the Curator of Education.

Work Environment:

• This role will interact with large groups of children and adults in a classroom environment and on zoo grounds near animal ambassadors.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be exposed to outside weather conditions, wet/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles and vibration.
• The noise level in the work environment ranges from quiet to moderately loud.

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.
• Ability to sit and stand for long periods of time as well as be able to bend and kneel.
• Must be able to communicate over telephone and radio.
• Ability to lift or move 20 pounds unassisted.
• Ability to travel zoo grounds and operate a motorized cart.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Expected Hours of Work:

• This is a full-time salaried position.
• The majority of the programs featured in this portfolio are scheduled for evenings and weekends, your presence/availability during program hours will be required to provide assistance as necessary.
• During peak season, the schedule will require a 5-day work week that includes at least one weekend day and the ability to work some evenings and holidays. Irregular scheduling on which days may exceed 8 hours and overnight duties are possible.

Other Duties:

• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the employee for this job.
• Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Compensation - $45K/annually 

• Please note that this job description is not exhaustive and additional duties may be assigned, or existing duties may be modified, at any time to meet the needs of the organization.
• Memphis Zoo is a drug free workplace.
• All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment drug screening and background check

• Answer these questions from the employer
• By submitting your application, you hereby certify that the facts set forth in the above employment application are true and complete to the best of your knowledge.

Certification

• I certify that the information provided on this application is truthful and accurate. I understand that providing false or misleading information will be basis for rejection of my application, or if employment commences, immediate termination.
• I authorize PARC Inc to contact former employers and educational organizations regarding my employment and education. I authorize my former employers and educational organizations to fully and freely communicate information regarding my previous employment, attendance, and grades. I authorize those persons designated as references to fully and freely communicate information regarding my previous employment and education.
• If an employment relationship is created, I understand that unless I am offered a specific written contract of employment signed on behalf of the organization by its CEO, the employment relationship will be "at-will". In other words, the relationship will be entirely voluntary in nature, and either I or my employer will be able to terminate the employment relationship at any time and without cause.
• With appropriate notice, I will have the full and complete discretion to end the employment relationship when I choose for reasons of my choice. Similarly, my employer will have the same right. Moreover, no agent, representative, or employee of PARC INC, except in a specific written contract of employment signed on behalf of the organization by the CEO, has the power to alter or vary the voluntary nature of the employment relationship.

I HAVE CAREFULLY READ THE ABOVE CERTIFICATION AND I UNDERSTAND AND AGREE TO ITS TERMS.

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.

Salary

• 45,000