SUMMARY:

Under the general direction of the Education Manager, the Education Supervisor – Premium Experiences promotes the Zoo and its mission through planning, developing, coordinating, training, and evaluating the Zoo’s Premium Experiences programs and educational and engagement opportunities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

Wildlife Experiences:

Collaborates with the Education team to design, develop, revise, coordinate, implement, and evaluate Education programs – especially as it relates to wildlife experiences –for guests of all ages in accordance with the Education Department Plan

Oversees Wildlife Experiences and Education Program Animal Encounters:

Works with interdepartmental teams to drive education-based animal experiences as it fits our institutional culture, community’s felt need, and revenue opportunities

Works with the Education team to develop meaningful programs that are standards-grounded and experiential

Works with the Animal Care and Health (ACH) team to establish/maintain protocols (including handling, animal training, and staff training). Assist the animal care team as needed

Books/coordinates (and implements as necessary) BTS and Wildlife Experiences, virtual encounters, and virtual field trips, and field trip Education add-ons.

Serves as the Lead Animal Handler for all Education programming

Conducts ongoing evaluation in terms of guest engagement, learning outcomes, and staff delivery success when appropriate

Supports off-site education programming through training for animal handling and facilitating animal experiences as assigned

Collaborates with Education Leadership and Marketing Departments to meet budget and attendance goals, grow program annually.

Team Building Program:

Designs, trains, tracks, implements and evaluates Team Building Program.

Collaborates with Events Department, Food & Beverage Department and more to coordinate Team Building Events

Maintains required records and reports such as program attendance records and participant demographics

Collaborates with Education Leadership and Marketing Departments to meet attendance goals and grow program annually.

Bio-Fact Library Program:

Maintains inventory, organization, and storage of Zoo's bio-facts library

Trains Zoo staff and maintains protocols for bio-fact use for enriching core programming, Zoo events, and outreach on-site and off-site

Maintains required records and reports such as program use records, staff training records and participant demographics.

Works and collaborates with Zoo's Registrar to maintain accurate bio-fact records, abiding by Zoo's bio-facts acquisition policy.

Education Supervisor Duties:

Collaborates with Education team in Operational Plan development for Education Programs

Maintains and submits monthly and annual budget records for assigned programs to the Education Manager

Operates and utilizes various types of equipment and machinery in the performance of duties such as projectors, monitors, two-way radios, computer, printer, video cameras, and telephone, as well as animal crates as needed

May participate in engagements with the community as assigned

Schedules, develops, and leads/coordinates special program requests as required

Responds to emergencies quickly and follows emergency protocols

Remains calm and creates an atmosphere of calm and control for those dealing with the emergency situation

Attends monthly all-employee meetings

Maintains thorough understanding and implementation of Premium Experience best practices within the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)

Audits program prices and expenses annually and as needed to maintain alliance locally and within AZA

SECONDARY DUTIES:

Other duties as assigned to maintain safe, efficient, and quality Zoo operations

Guest Relations:

Greets every guest with a smile

Thanks guests for supporting/visiting the Zoo

Answers phone calls, voice mails, and e-mails promptly

Ensures the Zoo’s presentation standards for cleanliness and maintenance are met by keeping work areas clean, picking up trash, reporting unsafe or unsightly conditions

Associates with guests to assist and share information

Responds to all guest inquiries, complaints, and comments according to Zoo guest relations procedures

Maintains a clean neat appearance and adheres to the Zoo’s uniform dress code

Takes responsibility for staying informed about happenings at the Zoo, such as reading employee communications and attending meetings

Reflects the qualities outlined in the Guest Relations Statement, the Zoo’s Core Values, and the Employee Pledge

Applies and exemplifies “green” (sustainable) practices whenever possible

Other duties as required

POSITION CRITERIA:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements and environmental characteristics described below are representative of the knowledge, skill, ability, and working and physical elements required of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Education & Experience:

Minimum 18 years of age

Some experience working with children

B.S. or B.A. preferably in liberal arts, an education emphasis, conservation, biology, other life sciences, or equivalent experience

License, Certification, or Preferred Qualifications:

Successful completion of a Department of Justice background check prior to start date

Successful completion of First Aid and CPR certification required within 90 days of start date (may be available through employer)

Completion of Mandated Reporting for Suspected Child Abuse training (may be available through employer)

Yearly TB Test clearance

Experience in an informal education facility preferred

Experience with special needs children is a plus

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

Basic knowledge of Elementary Education and Biology/Zoology

Ability to organize and implement daily Camp activities

Ability to lead activities in an age-appropriate manner

Excellent coordination skills

Effective verbal and written communication skills

Ability to relate sensitively to young children and their parents/guardians

Ability to adapt quickly, be flexible in any scenario, and demonstrate considerable patience while leading and supervising program participants

Ability to meet deadlines and operate under time pressure, with various interruptions

Ability to work in a busy office environment, with a positive outlook

Ability to handle large, multifaceted events/programs with composure

Ability to interact courteously and respectfully with supervisors, fellow employees, volunteers, and our guests

Ability to work and collaborate in a team atmosphere

Ability to handle and interpret live Education animals, following ACH protocols

Ability to exercise safe work habits

Awareness of, sensitivity to, and empathy with animals

Physical Demands & Work Environment:

Must be physically able to operate a variety of machines and equipment including telephones, printers, two-way radios, and copiers

Ability to run, kneel, sit on the ground/floor, squat, and stand for long periods of time

Ability to handle live animals safely

Ability to negotiate the Zoo work environment including behind-the-scenes, lawns, gravel, hilltop, attic storage, and high storage shelves

Must be able to lift 50 pounds occasionally, and 10-20 or fewer pounds frequently

Ability to exert a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly push, pull, or otherwise move objects

Involves working out-of-doors in all weather conditions

Supportive and open employment culture

Tools Used:

Personal Computer and software (Word, Excel, Outlook)

Standard office equipment; telephone, copier, printer, facsimile machine, and calculator

Two-way radio

Dry-erase board

Bio Facts and various learning-based materials

Educational animals

Sanitation tools, products, and PPE as needed

This job description is representative of the expectations for the position. Additional duties, reporting relationships, and/or position criteria may be assigned as deemed necessary by the Chief Executive Officer or authorized representative. No changes to this job description shall be made without written permission by the Chief Executive Officer or authorized representative.

The Zoo reserves the right to revise this job description at any time. The job description does not constitute a contract for employment, and does not guarantee employment for any specified period of time. The job description does not in any way alter the at-will employment relationship.