Learning Programs Supervisor

Position Title: Learning Programs Supervisor

Department: Learning & Engagement

Reports To: Interim Director of Learning & Volunteers

Location: Audubon Aquarium & Audubon Insectarium

General Summary:

The downtown Learning Programs Supervisor (“Supervisor”) is responsible f or the implementation, supervision, and curriculum development of learning programs at the Audubon Aquarium & Audubon Insectarium. These programs include summer and holiday day camps, scout programs, af ter-hours and overnight family programs, school programs, and off -site STEM outreach. They are responsible for the care and safety of program participants (ages 4 ) and directly supervise Learning Programs Specialists, seasonal camp staf f , and on-call Educators who deliver these programs.

Working under the direction of the Interim Director of Learning and Volunteers (“Director”) and collaboratively with other Learning team members, the main responsibilities of this position include developing curriculum and activities; implementing and delivering learning programming, ensuring that established policies and procedures are being followed; facilitationprogram, staff , and volunteer/intern evaluations; assisting the Director with the hiring, onboarding, and training of program staff ; scheduling and supervising program staf f , volunteers, and interns; and working collaboratively with Volunteer staff to train and mentor summer camp teen volunteers (Counselors-in-Training). This position may be required to utilize live animals during programs (training will be provided) and may assist with learning programs at other facilities as needed.

This is a full-time salaried position with a Tuesday-Saturday work schedule from Aug-May and a Monday-Friday work schedule f rom June-July to support summer camp.Scheduled workdays may periodically shif  to cover scheduled after hours and of f -day programming. 

As a member of the L&E Department, this position will participate in and support a variety of educational programming, including at other Audubon facilities. The Supervisor will support the needs of Audubon Nature Institute and its various facilities as required.

To deliver on the Audubon mission, the Learning Programs Supervisor will:

Provide a guest experience of outstanding quality by…

• Supervising, scheduling, and evaluating program seasonal and on-call staf f , volunteers, and interns.

• Collaborating with the volunteer team to select, train, supervise, and evaluate summer camp teen volunteers.

• Working with the Director to recruit, interview, and train program staf f , volunteers, and interns.

• Facilitating program, staf f , volunteer, and intern evaluations and feedback.

• Collaborating with other internal teams to create and schedule program experiences.

• Communicating issues, questions, and concerns in a timely manner.

• Ensuring that classrooms, supplies, and other resources are prepared for all scheduled programming.

• Supervising program participants and ensuring all program and child safety procedures are being followed .

Operate a financially self-sufficient collection of museums and parks by…

• Utilizing resources ef f iciently and sustainably.

• Responsibly spending and tracking program funds within established parameters and notifying the Director of any additional needs.

• Supporting departmental grant funded programming by maintaining careful record keeping, providing clear and timely communications, and ef fective action planning for grant deliverables.

• Collaborating with the Director and Administrative Coordinator to facilitate accurate and timely program registrations.

Educate our diverse audience about the natural world by…

• Developing, implementing, and delivering mission-aligned STEM curriculum and activities that inspire empathy and curiosity among participants.

The above-listed duties are general statements of required major duties and responsibilities performed on a regular and continuous basis. They do not exclude other duties as assigned.

To deliver on the Audubon service promise, the Camp & Family Programs Supervisor will:

Welcome

• Make eye contact with every customer encounter, smile at every person, of fer f riendly phrases and greetings.

• Wear an identif ication badge.

• Walk individuals to their destination instead of pointing; aid people who look confused.

• Assume ownership of potential safety hazards (wipe-up spills, pick up trash). Always have the camera-ready look.

Share

• Maintain a positive attitude, pleasant tone of voice (remember it is not what you say, but how you say it).

• Coach coworkers on service expectations.

• Utilize the power of teamwork to give excellent service.

• Know when to involve management.

Inspire

• Know the answers to questions or seek out the answers.

• Utilize proper phone etiquette (answer phone within three rings, smile before answering call, ask for permission and wait for response before placing caller on hold).

• Ensure work area is f ree of food, drink, socialization, and personal business.

• Follow Dress Code Policy on clothing and grooming.

• Keep unpleasant concerns behind closed doors (vent backstage).

Supervision: Supervises seasonal and on-call staf f ; interns; volunteers (adults and teens); and program participants (all ages).

Experience & Skills:

• At least two (2) years of relevant work experience in a formal or informal learning environment is required.

• Demonstrated experience with STEM curriculum and/or camp programming development is strongly preferred.

• Knowledge of child behavioral development and classroom management is strongly preferred.

• Demonstrated knowledge of or interest in wildlife/habitat conservation, or a willingness to learn.

• Demonstrated knowledge of customer service and service recovery tactics, or a willingness to learn.

• Ability to relate and communicate ef fectively with youth and adults f rom diverse backgrounds.

• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.

• Willingness to work with and around live animals and learn/follow safe handling practices.

Education:

A degree in a related f ield, and/or equivalent work experience, is required. Licensure/Certification: Must have a valid, state-issued driver’s license.

Software & Equipment Requirements:

• Ability to use mobile devices, desktop phones, computers, and print/scan/copy machines.

• Ability to learn and utilize various sof tware applications, including Microsof t Teams and SharePoint.

Physical Requirements:

• May involve sitting most of the day but may also involve walking/standing/traveling for up to 2/3 of the day when delivering programs.

• Ability to pass annual TB tests due to working with live animals.

• Ability to perceive visual or behavioral changes in both children and animals to determine general wellbeing. Must have excellent peripheral vision, depth perception, and quick motor response for child and animal safety during programming.

• Ability to communicate to large groups of people in a variety of situations.

• Typical ability to collect and analyze numerical and written data and verbal information to reach logical conclusions and ability to determine the time, place and sequence of operations or actions required .

• Regular talking and the ability to express and exchange ideas by means of language.

• May require carrying, lif ting, pushing, and/or pulling items weighing up to 25 pounds. Must be able to reach above shoulder level, stoop, and squat to retrieve kennels and animals, which also may require stepping on stools.

Environmental/Working Conditions:

• The ability to work under and handle stress in an appropriate manner is required.

• May be exposed to high, medium, or low noise intensity.

• Regular interaction with co-workers and volunteers is required.

• Ability to work ef fectively in a moderately noisy of f ice is required.

• An af f inity for animals and nature is required.

• Exposure to f luctuations in temperatures is required, especially during summer camp.

• Exposure to extreme heat and outdoor conditions is required , especially during summer camp.

• May be required to work weekends, occasional holidays, and af ter-hours.

Other abilities, skills, knowledge:

• Must be self -motivated and willing to take appropriate initiative.

• Must be able to manage multiple priorities and deadlines for a wide range of projects .

• Must have excellent communication and presentation skills.

• Must work ef fectively in a team environment .

• Must have excellent interpersonal skills with ability to interact with all levels of staf f, donors, visitors, and educators