Zoo Educator Jobs
Zoo educators are the bridge between wildlife science and the public. They design and deliver programs that connect visitors of all ages with conservation, animal behavior, and environmental stewardship. If you love animals and you love people, this is one of the most rewarding careers a zoo can offer.
We list educator positions from zoos, wildlife sanctuaries, nature centers, and conservation organizations across the country and beyond.
What Does a Zoo Educator Do?
Education roles at zoos cover a broad spectrum of responsibilities:
- Program delivery: Leading guided tours, keeper talks, animal encounters, and interactive presentations for visitors ranging from toddlers to retirees.
- Curriculum development: Creating lesson plans, activity guides, and educational materials and frameworks.
- School and group programs: Facilitating field trips, lab activities, and overnight programs for K-12 students. This is often the largest part of an education department's work.
- Camp and youth programs: Running summer camps, teen volunteer programs, and after-school clubs. These programs are major revenue drivers for many zoos.
- Volunteer and docent management: Recruiting, training, and supporting interpretive volunteers who form the front line of visitor engagement.
- Community outreach: Bringing ambassador animals and programs to schools, libraries, community centers, and events beyond the zoo gates, often focused on reaching underserved audiences.
Job titles in this field include Educator, Interpreter, Education Specialist, Program Coordinator, Outreach Manager, and Director of Education. Many positions blend public speaking, content creation, and hands-on animal interaction.
How to Become a Zoo Educator
Most zoo educators start with a bachelor's degree in biology, zoology, education, environmental studies, or science communication. But what really sets candidates apart is experience in informal education settings: museums, nature centers, zoos, or wildlife organizations. Completing an education internship at a zoo is one of the best ways to get your foot in the door.
Many educators enter through part-time interpreter or camp counselor positions and move into full-time roles as they build experience. Strong public speaking skills, comfort working with all age groups, and a genuine ability to make conservation science accessible and fun are what hiring managers look for above almost everything else.
Browse our current listings below, or use the search to find positions in your area. New opportunities are added regularly, so check back often or join our newsletter to get notified of new postings.
Frequently Asked Questions About Zoo Educator Jobs
What qualifications do I need to become a zoo educator?
Most positions require a bachelor's degree in biology, zoology, education, environmental studies, or science communication. Experience in informal or museum education is highly valued, and for many hiring managers it matters more than which specific degree you hold. Strong public speaking skills, comfort working with diverse audiences from young children to adults, and genuine enthusiasm for wildlife and conservation are essential.
What does a typical day look like for a zoo educator?
No two days are exactly the same, which is part of the appeal. A morning might start with leading a school group on a guided zoo tour or running a classroom activity with live ambassador animals. The afternoon could involve developing new curriculum, training volunteer docents, or prepping materials for an upcoming camp session. Many educators also participate in outreach events on evenings or weekends. Expect to be on your feet, outside in all weather, and talking to people most of the day.
What is the career path for zoo educators?
A common path starts with camp counselor roles, then moves to full-time Educator, Education Specialist, Program Coordinator, Education Manager, and eventually Director of Education or VP of Guest Experience. Some educators specialize along the way in curriculum design, community outreach, digital content, or accessibility programming. Others transition into related fields like science communication, nonprofit management, or museum leadership.
Do zoo educators handle animals?
Often, yes. Many education programs involve live ambassador animal presentations, touch encounters, and behind-the-scenes experiences. Zoo educators commonly handle reptiles, invertebrates, small mammals, and birds during programs. The level of animal interaction varies by institution, but comfort around live animals is expected in most roles. If you're looking for deeper animal care responsibilities, you may want to explore zookeeper roles instead.
Can I become a zoo educator with a science degree but no education background?
Absolutely. Many zoo educators come from pure science backgrounds and learn education skills on the job. Zoos care more about your ability to communicate science clearly and engage an audience than whether you studied pedagogy formally. Volunteering at a museum or nature center, leading campus outreach, or tutoring are all easy ways to build that experience before applying.
What's the difference between a zoo educator and a zookeeper?
Zoo educators focus on public engagement: designing and delivering programs, leading tours, developing curriculum, and managing volunteers. Zookeepers focus on direct animal care: feeding, enclosure maintenance, enrichment, training, and health monitoring. The two roles overlap in areas like keeper talks and ambassador animal handling, and some professionals move between them over the course of their careers. If you're not sure which suits you, an internship in either department is a great way to find out.
Related Roles
6 positions found
