Education Program Specialist - Learning

Description

SUMMARY

The Education Program Specialist - Learning is responsible for developing, implementing, coordinating and evaluating age-appropriate curricula and lesson designs for all aspects of educational programming for school-age audiences on-site, virtually and through community outreach. The Education Program Specialist is responsible for the instruction and care of the guests during programs. This position requires a strong ability to work in a team-oriented atmosphere.

Essential Job Functions

• With a team of specialists led by the Manager of Learning, develops, implements, coordinates, and evaluates a wide variety of programming aligned to the Zoos mission, conservation messaging and educational philosophy throughout the year. Programming may include camps, field trips, digital experiences, homeschool, Zoo School, tours, and more with a focus on school-age audiences (kindergarten through college) and educators.
• With a team of specialists, creates and reviews curricula outlined in ROADMAPs and ensures the included assessment plans are age-appropriate and will address the individual needs of participants and stakeholders.
• With a team of specialists, uses a variety of evaluation methods including participant assessments and surveys, to make necessary changes as needed based on that data; maintains internal and external evaluation systems and data; and assists in evaluating guest experiences, interpretive messaging, graphics, etc. as required
• With a team of specialists and managers, coordinates staff, interns and volunteers as assigned to assist with educational programming and guest experiences and works to strengthen evaluation of their work as well as the intern/volunteer program.
• With a team of specialists and managers, completes administrative tasks such as reviewing program registration and demographic data, assisting with grant-reporting, etc. as required.
• Works with full Education department to develop strategic plans for a wide variety of high-quality educational programming, goals/objectives, and measureable assessment plans for programming.
• Maintains a working knowledge of current research, best practice, and philosophy of education and evaluation in both formal and informal setting by participating in workshops, conferences and continuing education classes, as well as reviewing professional journals and web resources
• With a team of specialists and other Zoo staff, may present, publish, and share impact-reports, newsletters, and community memos to promote education and volunteer/intern programs to help recruit teachers, teens/young adults, and funders to be more active in supporting the Zoo or participating in programs
• This position will function as the Education and Volunteer Departments advocate and expert in particular area(s) of focus, which may include evaluation, curricula, and/or operation. This will include coordinating team efforts related to this focus area.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS

• Works and collaborates with other Education Department staff in the development, preparation and implementation of a wide variety of programing and events including camps, nightlife programming, behind the scenes tours, field trips, homeschool programming, adult programming and professional development, Teacher Night, etc.
• Creates an environment conducive to learning by employing a variety of appropriate instructional and interpretive strategies.
• Coordinates with other staff to arrange zoo tours, keeper interactions, and ambassador animals as required
• Builds positive relationships within the Education and Volunteer team and with other Zoo departments.
• Actively supports a positive guest experience by providing excellent customer service to all guests and program participants, and provides excellent customer service by responding to questions about educational programming, addressing parent/guest concerns, etc.
• Handles ambassador animals as needed.
• Other duties as assigned

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• No direct reports

SAFETY ANALYSIS

The Education Program Specialist-Learning is impacted by hazardous exposures common to an office environment as well as public safety in an outdoor environment and ride operations. Some of the following exposures will occur daily:

• Hazards associated with train and carousel ride operations
• Hazards associated with maintenance trades
• Hazardous waste management
• The proper use and understanding of cleaning agents
• Thorough understanding of guest safety protocols, particularly with young children.

Specific training and procedures will be provided, designed to maintain safety of people as the highest priority of the zoo followed by the safety of the animal collection.

The use and understanding of a variety of personal safety equipment is mandatory.

All employees of the Zoo are required to be familiar with the Zoos overall safety policies as outlined in the employee handbook as well as being responsible for reporting any injury immediately to the first aid department.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee should expect:

• Use of hands, fingers, tools or controls.
• Frequently required to stand; walk; sit; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, bend, crawl, crouch and talk or hear.
• Routinely lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Requires frequent walking for long distances
• Exposure to wet surfaces.
• Frequent exposure to the elements can be expected.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS

The Birmingham Zoo recognizes that skills and knowledge come from both formal and informal experiences including education, paid work, volunteer service, and life experience. Those who meet the majority of the requirements for a position are encouraged to apply.

• Effective organization, oral and written communication, leadership, multi-tasking, and collaboration or team skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and or passion for education, biology, zoology or other conservation/ environmental related field.
• Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG) and First Aid/CPR or willing to become certified if able
• Familiarity with or willingness to be trained on Denver Zoos Reaching Our Audience through Developing Mission Aligned Programs (ROADMAP)
• Must be willing to handle ambassador animals including invertebrates and snakes
• Teaching philosophy aligned with interdisciplinary teaching, outdoor or environmental education, inquiry-based learning, and human development
• At least two years of experience in an informal/environmental education or interpretive program setting with potential experience in developing, leading, or assessing virtual and/or in-person programs
• Must have a current valid driver’s license with no prior traffic violations within the last five years to operate Zoo vehicles.
• Must be willing to occasionally travel locally.
• Must have current negative TB test and provide documentation, or be willing to have TB test.

POSITION TYPE AND HOURS OF WORK

• Full-time, hourly, non-exempt
• Schedule may vary according to season; weekends, occasional evening work and holidays may be required

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Birmingham Zoo is dedicated to creating a global community where all people value wildlife and wild places. As a workplace, the Zoo is guided by its core values: Passion, Excellence, Teamwork, Sustainability, and Diversity & Inclusion.

Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and others who identify as nonwhite, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQIA community, neurodiverse individuals, and those with diverse lived experiences are encouraged to apply for this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and functions of this position.

Birmingham Zoo is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected status or any other characteristic protected by law.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. If selected, a background check and drug test will be conducted prior to beginning employment.

Birmingham Zoo Inc. is a not-for-profit entity. The rate of pay for this position is $16.44/hour.

Salary : $16