School and Community Programs Educator

Philadelphia Zoo works to fulfill our mission as an animal care organization, as a resource to schools and families, and as an ark and advocate for endangered animals around the world.

• What makes the Zoo a unique place to work? Whether you are involved with caring for animals, educating our visitors or working in a behind-the-scenes position in administration, maintenance or garden services, all of our positions share our institutional mission, purpose, and core values.

Who We Are Looking For:

• Under the general direction and support of the Director of School and Community Partnerships and direct supervision of the School and Community Programs Manager; the School and Community Programs Educator (SCPE) leads the facilitation and day to day operations of the West Philadelphia Zoo Scholars teen workforce development program and provides general support to all programs in the School and Community Programs portfolio.
• The SCPE will support the recruitment, administration and growth of youth programming at the Philadelphia Zoo with a focus on the West Philadelphia Zoo Scholars program as priority.
• The SCPE will also support the continued growth and implementation of the Zoo’s youth programming when the audience is K-12 and/or college students and interns of all ages.
• The SCPE will support all programming formats as they take place virtually, on site at the Zoo and on site at local community institutions. 
• This position will also assist the Conservation & Education Department with their overall function, and support all standard Zoo functions as required.

What You Will Do:

• Supports the implementation of the West Philadelphia Zoo Scholars program including recruitment, facilitation, communications and scheduling for 10-12th grade cohorts.
• Partners with multiple Zoo staff to implement and strengthen career pipelines for local residents and teens into the Philadelphia Zoo and Zoo industry in general.
• Supports the Volunteer Manager with internship programming at the Philadelphia Zoo from design, recruitment, management and execution for multiple departments year-round.
• Assists with the facilitation of all K-12 programs at the Zoo including leading orientations, workshops, trainings, career exposure opportunities with external guests, field trips and other events engaging youth as necessary.
• Oversees recruitment, attendance, performance, and participation records for all youth program participants with a focus on the Zoo’s hyperlocal community and school partners.
• Ensures youth participants have the information and resources necessary to attend programming and engage to their fullest potential.
• Communicates with students and families via phone, email, Discord and social media; keeps Manager informed of issues; handles any performance or attendance issues that arise.
• Serves as a mentor to youth program participants.
• Advocates for needs of youth program participants as necessary whether related or unrelated to program objectives.
• Assists with planning and implementing group workshops on conservation, life-skills and leadership skills topics and utilizes multiple strategies of facilitation to maintain consistent engagement.
• Collaborates with multiple external partners to support youth programing at the Zoo including John Heinz Wildlife Refuge, the Camden Adventure Aquarium, the Discovery Center, Philadelphia public schools, etc.
• Collaborates with various Zoo department leaders to engage Zoo staff in youth programming with a focus on career exposure workshops and potential mentoring opportunities for youth and Zoo staff.
• Works with Impact, Measurement and Evaluation Associate to track metrics of youth programs as required.
• Assists Manager with any other aspects of program management as needed within the Conservation Education department.

What This Role Requires:

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITY REQUIRED:

• Work experience with young adults as teacher, educator, counselor or other leadership role responsible for youth safety and educational outcomes.
• General knowledge of conservation and environmental justice topics and strategies.
• Experience with and knowledge of college and career actions and strategies that promote career exploration and college enrollment of current local, Philadelphia high school students.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and sustain effective working relationships with peers and subordinates.  Ability to work effectively with diverse personalities.
• Excellent presentation skills with a strong knowledge of both formal and informal presentation techniques.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to interact effectively with teens and develop trusting relationships.
• Sense of humor.
• Genuine love and affinity for animals.
• Able to commit to average of 40 hours weekly during the following schedule: Tuesday – Saturday; 9:00am – 5:00pm. Schedule may also include holidays, additional weekend dates and evenings as necessary for programming and Zoo operations.
• Reliable access to travel to and from school sites, zoo and local community institutions will be required.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITY PREFERRED:

• Experience serving as main point of contact for groups of young adults in an educational setting.
• Experience participating in and/or facilitating environmental education, natural science, STEM curriculum or related field.
• Experience working with or in a Zoo or equivalent setting.
• Experience living and/or working in Philadelphia is preferred.
• Teaching or counseling experience in a middle or high school; teaching in traditional science department or other education setting of a museum, zoo, nature center or equivalent institution.
• Experience writing lesson plans, activities and formal or informal programming for multiple age ranges in traditional or non-traditional education setting.
• Animal handling experience is a plus. This position may be trained on animal handling techniques and procedures in order to facilitate animal programs with youth.
• Drivers license and experience driving large vehicles preferred.

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks including; criminal records and PA Child abuse clearance. FBI clearance required for all non-PA residents.
• Successful completion of a TB and drug screen.
• Covid-19 Vaccination required.
• Must be able to work around plants and animals and able to work outside in varying weather conditions.
• Reasonable physical condition required; at minimum must be able to stand and walk for long periods of time.
• A Bachelor’s degree with 5 years of high volume volunteer programs.
• Thorough understanding of Volunteer programs and general business principles.
• Must strongly believe in and value the power and contributions of volunteers.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Ability to work a flexible schedule which will include weekends, evenings, & holidays.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, facilitating interaction between visitors and Zoo volunteers

What We Can Offer You:

• Competitive Pay – We recognize talent and we pay to keep it
• Medical, Dental, Vision –While you have our back on the grounds, we cover yours’ with health insurance
• Annual Leave – We all need a break from time to time
• 401K – There will come a time, when you are ready to retire
• Family membership pass with complimentary tickets – (Warning: You will become a celebrity amongst your friends once they hear you work for America’s 1st Zoo)

SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS PORTFOLIO

• West Philadelphia Zoo Scholars
• Beginning in the Spring of 2023 the West Philadelphia Zoo Scholars program has one central objective:
• To inspire interest and provide access to the zoological and conservation career field to the young people that live the most immediate to the Zoo.
• These scholars represent the next generation of leaders that will care and advocate for wildlife and wild places.
• Through a collaborative program model with the Zoo’s neighborhood schools, high school sophomores will gain access and insight to the zoological career fields in their classrooms, on site at the Zoo and locally in their own neighborhoods.
• The seven-year journey West Philadelphia Zoo Scholars will begin in their sophomore year with programming through out high school, support to and through college with potential to join the Zoo as a staff member.  

The UNLESS Contest

• A year-long, hands-on program that empowers students to become environmental stewards.
• Includes a Skype session and a Zoo field trip with a class.
• Students are challenged to work throughout their school year to create a comprehensive project that focuses on one specific conservation issue.
• Zoo staff host all school groups on site to share their projects and impact on their conservation efforts and several projects are recognized as the most impactful. 

Wild Connections

• Wild Connections is a virtual program that connects K-4 students in the Philadelphia School District with the Zoo’s mission by engaging with Zoo staff and Ambassador animals through 45-minute live programs.
• These digital lessons and activities are designed to reinforce environmental academic standards and encourage students to develop problem-solving abilities, critical thinking skills, and self-reflection techniques.
• Included are several student-led activities to choose from, inviting students to explore and elaborate on four different environmental topics, as well as an observation-based lesson that can be used while here at the Zoo!
• Each unit is intended to introduce students to content, increase inquiry-based learning, encourage investigation, and support understanding of core science standards.
• During the 45 minute session students are able to ask and answer questions directly with an Animal expert and meet an animal ambassador!

Teachers may choose between 4 session topics:

•  Characteristics of Life
•  Habitats and Adaptations
•  Endangered Species
  
•  Animal Care

• Wild Connections also offers a monthly live webinar open to all Philadelphia K-12 schools to register for and participate. Since attendance is very high for these monthly live webinars, engagement with students and teachers is limited to the chat feature.

Animal Tales

• A unique, local Animal Ambassador program with dual objectives: inspiring empathy and action for wildlife while also increasing literacy skills and interest in reading of families that attend.
• Animal Tales is hosted monthly at the local library, Charles Durham Free Library in Mantua and 10 other sites throughout the community.
• Following a traditional story time format for programming; the host site staff read aloud an interesting storybook to program attendees followed by a meet and greet with a Zoo expert and animal ambassador that is featured or connected to the storybook and theme of the day.
• Families are recruited to attend from local neighborhoods and schools. 

Animal Academy

• An in-school, animal ambassador program with a goal of extending the Zoo’s mission to local classrooms as a supplement to 8th grade Science curriculum.
• Animal Academy content and facilitation is lead by Zoo staff and incorporates local science standards following the timeline and curriculum of the school partner.
• Content is enhanced by providing a different Animal Ambassador and/or animal related activity each month during students regular science class time.