Applications accepted until Sunday, 29 March 2026 and/or until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received. We reserve the right to close the posting early if a well-qualified candidate pool has been established. Early submission is encouraged.
- Please ensure that your application highlights your experience and qualifications as they relate to the responsibilities of this role.
- Do you enjoy teaching in a diverse and unique setting, outdoors and indoors, surrounded by lush gardens and exotic animals?
- The Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens is seeking an enthusiastic Educator (Full-Time) with a focus on Zoo Camp and Homeschool Zoocademy, to deliver exceptional educational experiences that bring science, conservation, and wildlife to life for learners from Pre-K through Grade 12.
- You’ll engage thousands of students each year through on-site field trips, classroom outreach, virtual lessons, and guided interpretive experiences—all aligned to state standards and grounded in conservation.
- Our Educators oversee and coordinate programming, planning, and providing activities for all age groups for camp and homeschool programs.
- You have a four year degree and at least two (2) years of classroom management experience in designing, teaching, and evaluating educational and family programs for diverse learners.
- You stay current with research and best practices in nature play, camps, or homeschool education each day.
- At Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens, education is at the heart of everything we do. Our educators are ambassadors of curiosity, empowering students to become the next generation of conservation stewards.
- Whether you're inside a classroom or beneath the canopy of our lush gardens, your passion will ignite a love for wildlife and learning in every child you meet.
- Help bring science to life—one student, one species, one story at a time to help meet our mission with "Connecting the community to wildlife and wild places."
- What you bring...
- Ability to start no later than 12 May 2025.
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Bachelor’s degree in an education or science-related field; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience that provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities.
- 2+ years of formal or informal teaching experience in a school, zoo, museum, or nature center (substitute, student teaching, or AmeriCorps experience accepted).
- Familiarity with Florida state academic standards and experience aligning educational content to grade-level benchmarks.
- Strong classroom management and public speaking skills.
- Enthusiasm and confidence working indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions.
- Passion for conservation, science education, and wildlife.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and educational technology, including Zoom, PowerPoint, and learning management systems.
- Valid driver’s license with clear driving record to operate organizational vehicles, including 12-passenger vans, for offsite events.
- Willingness to handle ambassador animals to incorporate into educational programs.
- Willingness to work a schedule that may include weekends and holidays, with flexibility for occasional night shifts, events, or operation needs.
Pre-Employment Requirements:
- Candidates selected for this position must successfully complete all pre-employment screenings prior to their start date.
- Compliance with these requirements is mandatory to ensure the safety of staff, animals, and visitors.
These include:
- 5 Panel drug screening
- Non-DOT physical examination
- Criminal Background check
- Proof of a current negative tuberculosis (TB) test.
- Employment verification.
- A plus…
- Florida teaching certificate or coursework in early childhood education
- CPR/First Aid certification
- Experience working in informal education settings such as zoos, aquariums, museums, or nature centers.
- Experience working with children of various ages.
- Experience working with ambassador animals.
- Bilingual skills (English/Spanish or ASL)
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Ability to consistently remain on your feet for 6-8 hours on shift.
- Ability to walk, bend, kneel, crouch, crawl, climb, and reach.
- Visual acuity for reading, writing, and observing surroundings, and auditory acuity for communication.
- Ability to lift, carry, and move objects up to 20 pounds.
- Ability to work with a variety of animals including invertebrates, reptiles, and small companion mammals.
- Ability to safely operate a motorized cart.
WORK CONDITIONS
- Exposure to various weather conditions, including extreme heat, sunlight, cold, rain, and wind.
- Potential exposure to allergens (dust, animal dander, pollen, etc.), bloodborne pathogens, zoonotic diseases and injuries from animals.
- Irregular work hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays are sometimes required.
- Exposure to hazards such wildlife, waste, equipment, loud noises, chemicals, and heights.
- We are an equal opportunity employer and comply with all applicable federal, state, and local employment regulations.
- EOE / DRUG FREE WORKPLACE
Salary
- Compensation range varies $48k-$51k.
