Education Supervisor - Full Time

Are you passionate about? Providing exceptional care for animals? Saving wildlife and wild places? Inspiring guests to connect with nature and take action to impact the future of our world? Being part of a dynamic, growing zoo that welcomes diversity, equity, inclusion and personal contribution? Explore a career with Reid Park Zoo.

• Reid Park Zoo, located in beautiful Tucson, Arizona is a mid-sized, regional zoological garden caring for over 200 exotic animal species from around the world in lush, naturalistic habitats.
• With a mission centered in conservation, the Zoo is Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and participates in nearly 100 Species Survival Plans for threatened and endangered species.
• Reid Park Zoo maintains a state-of-the-art elephant program, a cutting-edge veterinary clinic that serves as a teaching hospital for the University of Arizona veterinary program, and is the co-leader of the Flamingo SAFE program to name a few recognitions.
• Attracting more than 500,000 guests annually, the Zoo is the midst of an exciting expansion project, Pathway to Asia, that will add four acres to its campus, bringing new species such as red panda, Komodo dragon and Lar gibbon, as well as a breeding facility for critically-endangered Malayan tigers when it opens in 2025.
• The Zoo is located in beautiful Tucson, Arizona. Stunning high desert valley vistas surrounded by four mountain ranges offer a year-round paradise for cyclists, hikers, bird-watchers and outdoor enthusiasts. 
• Named the first UNESO City of Gastronomy dedicated in the United States, the City is a delight for foodies with a lively and developing dining, arts and cultural scene, and a lovely wine country just thirty minutes away.
• With the University of Arizona and its championship sports, top-notch medical facilities, and affordable housing, Tucson is a great place to bring the family and put down roots– a big city, yet with a comfortable, small-town feel.
• The Society is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to create inspiring memories for all by connecting people and animals to ensure the protection of wild animals and wild places. 
• We provide educational and fun experiences for visitors of all ages.
• Reid Park Zoo is the largest attended cultural attraction in Southern Arizona with approximately 500,000 visitors annually. 
• Be a part of a vibrant, growing organization as Reid Park Zoo implements an exciting master plan that will be investing over $60M in new exhibits over the next ten years. 
• We are seeking a fun, passionate experienced supervisor to join their education team.
• Bachelor's degree in the biological sciences, education, or related field required.
• A proficient understanding of a zoo’s role in protecting wildlife and encouraging conservation is required.
• Experience in developing informal educational programs and leadership experience is required.
• Applicant must be available to work a flexible schedule that includes shifting their schedule to work frequent evening shifts including weekends.
• This position is open until filled. 
• We are an Equal Opportunities Employer. 
• We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff by creating an inclusive environment.

Overview:     

•  The Education Supervisor is responsible for supervising, managing and coordinating activities, programs, and functions of the Zoo education staff while ensuring compliance with applicable policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.  Communicate with schools, teachers, parents, guests and staff. 
• Develop and present education programming both on-grounds and off. 
• Design new programming, and evaluate existing materials and programs for all age groups that include the Zoo’s key education and conservation messaging.
• Participate in applicable AZA-related programs.

Reports To:   

• Director of Education and Conservation:

Staff Management:

• Recruit, hire, and train new staff members and provide performance evaluations, reviews, support, and coaching. 
• Evaluate staffing and staff training needs and make recommendations to the Education Director.
• Provide one-on-one training during programs to further staff skills in interpretation techniques, working with animal ambassadors and meeting set program goals.
• Schedule staff to cover daily programming.

Management and Evaluation of Education Programs:

• Manage the development and implementation of onsite and offsite education programs for audiences of all ages. 
• Work with Director of Education and Conservation to ensure that program goals, objectives, and measurable outcomes are identified and used to develop program content and teaching methods. 
• Develop and perform evaluations of zoo education programs and work with education staff to ensure that programs successfully meet their intended outcomes and remain inclusive for all learners.
• Establish and maintain successful partnerships with schools, organizations, and community groups to expand interaction and foster collaboration and support for the Zoo.

Finance and Fundraising:

• Assist the Director of Education and Conservation in the management of grant opportunities for educational programming and end-of-month reporting.

Interpretation:

• Assist the Director of Education and Conservation in the development and delivery of zoo-wide education and conservation messages.
• Develop or oversee educational content development for marketing, online, and social media as approved by the Director.
• Promote the Zoo’s education and conservation mission through active engagement in committees within the local Arizona region and AZA community including the CEC and SAFE programs.

Marketing:

• Manage the Education Department’s programming information and educational content on the website and social media.
• Work with the Marketing Department to promote upcoming programming on an as-needed basis.
• Coordinate the development of marketing and educational materials as requested by the Director.

Education Ambassadors Animals:

• Work closely with the Conservation Learning Center Keeper to ensure all protocols and practices concerning animal handling for animal ambassadors are within the guidelines set by the Zoo’s protocols.
• Obtain a lead trainer status for animal ambassadors, coordinate training goals with animal care staff, and access animal welfare throughout education programming.

Preferred Qualifications, Skills, and Abilities:

• Required Bachelor's degree or higher in the biological sciences, education, or related field.
• Required 5 years’ experience developing and implementing education programs for a variety of ages and group sizes required.
• Required 3 years supervisory experience.
• Required proficient understanding of a zoo’s role in protecting wildlife and encouraging conservation required.
• Must be able to work weekends and evenings.
• Experience in an accredited Association of Zoos and Aquariums facility preferred.
• Strong computer skills with proficiency in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and email programs.
• Prefer experience in working with a database for management of programs, participants and/or volunteers.
• Prefer successful grant proposal writing and grant award management/administration.
• Prefer program and exhibit evaluation training and experience.
• Prefer knowledge and experience with live animal educational programming.
• Willingness to get an annual TB test and COVID booster when updates are available.
• Valid driver’s license required with ability to drive off-site.
• Able to lift up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to be outdoors for long periods of time in a variety of weather conditions leading groups over sometimes uneven terrain areas.
• Demonstrated critical analysis, customer service, problem solving, conflict resolution, decision making, leadership, team building, time management, and motivational skills.
• Demonstrated ability to tactfully handle stressful situations, negotiate and resolve conflicts, maintain confidentiality and to respect and observe organizational protocol.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of RPZS and RPZ staff as well as diverse volunteers, donors, community partners, vendors and others.
• Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is the policy of Reid Park Zoological Society to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship.
• The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the Human Resources Dept.

Experience Required

• 3-years staff supervision experience. 5-years’ experience developing and implementing education programs for a variety of ages and group sizes.

Perks

• Free family zoo membership and free general admission tickets, free life and disability insurance.

Salary

• $58,656 - $68,921 annually