Job Summary: Leads all programs and activities within the education department that include student-oriented programming, interpretive programming, as well as family-oriented programming. Job Duties/Responsibilities: include the following but others may be assigned. Assist in the development, implementation, and scheduling of education programs.
- Lead and teach educational programming, family programming, and summer camp programming in an informal education setting.
- Foster an atmosphere of FUN during all programming
- Communicate with schools and other learning institutions regarding zoo education programs as well as on-site demonstrations and classes.
- Teach a variety of classes/programs to people of all ages. Assist with special events for the public.
- Ensure the wellbeing of all children by following training and protocol measures.
- Handle and ensure the safety of a wide variety of vertebrates and invertebrates including small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, insects, and arachnids.
- Assist in developing part time employees, seasonal employees and/or volunteers.
- Clean, store, and maintain equipment or materials used in the education department.
- Maintain safe work habits and conditions.
- Practice exemplary visitor service
- May be required to work evenings, weekends, nights, and/or holidays.
Job Qualifications:
- To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
- The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
Education and/or Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in Education, Biology, Zoology, Environmental Science, or related is preferred but all degrees will be considered.
- Associates degree or college credit with 1+ years of paid experience in the realm of formal or informal education, child care, university, or camp settings will be considered on a case by case basis.
- Experience working with children required.
- Public speaking experience strongly preferred.
- Must be comfortable working with and around animals.
- Must understand interpretive and informal education.
- Knowledge and proficiency of Windows operating systems, Outlook, and all Microsoft Office applications required.
Language Skills:
- Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.
- Ability to write reports
- Ability to present information to diverse groups of people from all age groups
- Spanish speaking abilities desired but not required.
Mathematical Skills:
- Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts,
- interest,
- commissions,
- proportions,
- percentages,
- area,
- circumference,
- and volume.
- Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
Other Skills and Abilities:
- Ability to work and relate to people of all age.
- Very good oral communication skills.
- Ability to work with live animals in a teaching situation.
Reasoning Ability:
- Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
- Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume.
- Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:
- Current Texas Driver License
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.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and talk or hear.
- The employee frequently is required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms.
- The employee is occasionally required to sit and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
- The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and peripheral vision.
Work Environment:
- The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions.
- The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
- Employee Discount at Concessions and Gift Shop
- Employee Free Admission to Park
- Complementary Tickets for Friends / Family