Education Specialist

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