Education Manager

You will be in a salaried position supporting the day-to-day operations for one of the Guest Animal Experience teams at either Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, or Epcot. You will be responsible for leading a team of education Cast as well as managing a range of Conservation Education programs and day guest experiences. You will partner effectively with peer Managers, Animal Care leaders, operations partners, and others to lead educational experiences designed to promote wildlife and conservation awareness and action messaging while maintaining a structured and seamless operation for both cast and guests.

You will report to the Walt Disney World Animals, Science, and Environment Education Manager, Guest Animal Experiences team.

Responsibilities :
As the Education Manager, you will oversee all aspects of Animals, Science, and Environment guest experiences at one of the locations listed above. Day to day responsibilities will include managing the workload assignments and schedules, trouble shooting Cast and Guest issues, and completing payroll documentation. You will hire and supervise union and/or non-union hourly Cast Members including but not limited to coordinators, instructors, and guides in guest programming across the Guest Animal Experience team. You will conduct and oversee the training of education Cast. This will include design and revisions of training processes, curriculum, and itinerary. You will serve as master coach and mentor, providing developmental opportunities and feedback to all Cast Members while modeling Disney Values and exceptional instructional and interpretation techniques.

You will partner with your leader and other Guest Animal Experience Education Managers to develop and implement a vision for the future of Guest Animal Experiences programming through program design and evaluation.

Basic Qualifications :

• Ability to fulfill all the function and responsibilities of the Education Cast Member roles
• Ability to train frontline Cast on their roles
• Strong presentation skills & ability to present information to guests in an informal setting
• Demonstrated conservation and environmental knowledge, with the ability to appropriately message to all guests
• Organizational and time management skills with attention to detail
• Ability to assist with the development, implementation and evaluation of new education experiences
• Proven ability coaching others and providing feedback
• Computer proficiency and willingness to learn new software applications
• Experience hiring and supervising others in a professional work environment
• Previous experience with education program design and facilitation in a classroom or an informal animal, conservation, and science education environment
• Outstanding instructional and communication skills
• Exceptional guest service skills, with a focus on Disney Values and The 5 Keys Basics
• Proven partnering skills and ability to work with various departments throughout the company
• Demonstrated problem solving and decision making skills
• Demonstrated passion for conservation education, interpretive techniques, and premium guest experiences
• Proven schedule management skills for full, part time, and seasonal Cast Members
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule including weekdays, weekends, evenings and holidays

Preferred Qualifications:

• Professional experience sharing conservation messages and facilitating premium guest experiences
• Experience with designing, facilitating, and evaluating Cast training and development
• Experience managing informal education programs
• In depth knowledge of educational principles and instructional design models
• Experience in program evaluation, assessing the parameters, needs, components, and outcomes of program design
• Experience liaising between animal care, operations, and education teams
• Knowledge of educational standards for Local, State, and National school districts and the ability to align with programming
• A background in natural sciences including, but not limited to zoology, marine science, conservation sciences

Required Education :

• Bachelor's Degree
  

Preferred Education :

• College level coursework in at least one of the following areas: biology, marine biology, zoology, animal behavior, botany, wildlife management, environmental education and/or interpretation, environmental science and natural resources management.

Additional Information :
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