Senior Education Specialist

Job Description

Job DescriptionSalary: 20

Job Summary

The Senior Education Specialist is responsible for the year-round implementation of the on-site and community-based education programs at both SFZA campuses, the Great Plains Zoo (GPZ) and Butterfly House & Aquarium (BHA), oversight of the Junior ZooKeeper teen program, and provide leadership within the Education Department. This position requires the ability to handle and train the ambassador animal collection. Programming and animal-related duties occur on weekdays, weekends, holidays, evenings and overnights.

Reports To

Education & Conservation Director

Essential Functions

Maintain an enthusiastic, self-reliant and self-starting approach to job responsibilities and accountability. Strive to anticipate workload and initiate proper acceptable direction for the completion of work with a minimum of supervision or instruction.

Education

• Promote the SFZAs mission by conducting education programs so that learning is a fun, engaging, memorable experience for your audience;
• Present a variety of Education programs for a wide range of ages and audiences. Utilize appropriate techniques to engage and educate participants, based on age, interest, and learning abilities.
• Assist Director of Education with Junior Zookeeper Program, including but not limited to accepting applications, conducting interviews, training, daily support, and supervision, as well as off-season program coordination.
• Provide excellent customer service to teachers and informal educators, students, volunteers, and visitors in all types of programming and special events.
• Communicate with appropriate contacts to schedule Education department programming. Answer correspondence and provide informational services in response to telephone, written, or personal inquiries.
• Work closely with the Director of Education, Education Specialists, and seasonal Education staff to ensure effective planning, preparation, and execution of all Education programs, including but not limited to camps, early childhood programs, overnights, onsite programming, and outreach.
• Develop lesson plans for programs for all grade levels and align lessons with cross-curriculum components in accordance with both South Dakota and national Education standards. Work in coordination with the Director of Education and other Education Specialists with ideas, comments, evaluation tools, and suggestions for future program development. Prepares written material when required for Education Department programs (lesson plans, information sheets, etc.).
• Track attendance, time on programs, and other needed data on education programming as needed in appropriate documents
• Demonstrate teamwork and coordination when dealing with other departments, including facilities, guest services, volunteers, and animal care.

Animal Care

• Handle and present ambassador animals in a safe, professional manner. Assist the Education & Conservation Director in training teen volunteers and seasonal staff on appropriate animal handling protocols.
• Work with the Training Coordinator and area Zookeepers to train and maintain husbandry and show behaviors for the ambassador animal collection to ensure their safe program use. Maintain accurate records of training as required.
• Report any signs of illness, lethargy, or injury to the Director of Animal Care, Veterinarian, or Area Supervisors as appropriate.
• Follow all protocols and procedures to ensure that all ambassador animals are maintained in a safe and secure environment when transporting, training, and conducting programs.

Staff Leadership

• Act as the daily point of contact for seasonal education staff.
• Assist the E&C Director by learning and taking on select management duties.
• Lead the team in the absence of the Director, with assistance from the Director on Duty.
• Act as liaison with other departments as needed in the absence of the E&D Director.
• With the E&C Director, provide training for new full-time and seasonal education staff.
• Provide insight and feedback to the E&C Director on team member performance and team dynamics.
• Serve as a role model for the department

Additional Duties

• Assist with cleaning, inspecting, and cataloging animal artifacts.
• Provide support to development and guest engagement teams during special events, fundraisers, and donor events.
• Assist Education & Conservation Director with seasonal attractions team as needed, by acting as the daily contact person or covering locations (farm attendant, carousel, and train).
• Perform other tasks as assigned.

Competency

• Excellent communication skills.
• Must be comfortable with people and able to give presentations to various-sized groups of people of all ages.
• Manual dexterity is necessary to carefully handle a variety of ambassador animals and museum artifacts.
• Must be flexible, self-motivated, enthusiastic, and a team player.
• Must demonstrate punctual attendance, reliability, and good time management skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office products (Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint) and the ability to produce written materials for various publications and marketing tools.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position helps to oversee and train Junior Zookeepers, interns, and seasonal employees. However, this position does not have any direct reports.

Work Environment

• Must be able to tolerate and be exposed to strong odors, toxic or caustic chemicals, dust, hay, animal fur/hair/dander, and wet or humid conditions (non-weather) and all variable outdoor weather conditions.
• Work may occasionally be performed in the Conservatory, which is typically 85 degrees with high humidity year-round, and the Containment Room, which is usually 80 degrees, and the Aquarium Gallery, which is typically 70 degrees with high humidity. A high tolerance for warm temperatures is necessary for this role.
• Will also include time in an office setting using standard office equipment, including computers, telephones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets.

Physical Demands

• Must be able to climb ladders/stairs, lift crates/animals, and or equipment/food/animal supplies weighing 70lbs or more repetitively. The role may be exposed to temperature and humidity changes.
• Ability to ascend and descend ladders and stairs as needed
• Capability to lift and move crates, animals, or equipment weighing up to 70 lbs.
• Competence in operating large vehicles/vans
• Agility and flexibility to navigate around animals in exhibits, corrals, and holding areas
• Demonstrated hand and finger dexterity for tasks such as handling animals and small equipment and operating controls
• Strong visual acuity to accurately assess and respond to situations involving animals, equipment, and work environments

Travel

Must have the ability to drive large vans locally and long distance for outreach programs (max of 300 miles round trip).

Required Education and Experience

• Requires a college degree in biological science, education, or related field. Applicable experience may be considered in place of degree requirements.
• Must have at least 4 years of previous formal or informal education experience, preferably in an animal-related facility.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Experience training or maintaining husbandry and presentation behaviors in small mammals, raptors, and/or parrots is preferred.
• Experience handling small animals and/or birds (raptors, parrots, reptiles, invertebrates, small mammals) would be advantageous.
• Previous leadership experience preferred
• Certified Interpretive Guide qualification from NAI is beneficial.

Additional Qualifications

• Maintain a current tetanus vaccination (5 years) and be willing to be TB tested annually.
• Must be certified or able to become certified in CPR/AED within 1 year of employment.
• Must be able to work weekends, holidays and evenings as required.
• Must have a valid drivers license and be able to pass a pre-employment background check
• Maintain a driving record acceptable to the SFZA and its insurer upon and throughout employment.