Community Outreach Coordinator

Description

Summary:

We are seeking a dynamic and passionate conservation educator to join our team as a full-time Outreach Coordinator within the Learning & Impact Department. This role is responsible for planning, developing, coordinating, delivering and evaluating high-quality, mission-driven interpretive programming that extends The Living Desert’s educational reach into the community.

As the Outreach Coordinator, you will design and facilitate engaging educational programs for a variety of audiences, including low-cost senior centers, assisted living residences, memory care facilities, schools, community events, and more. Programs will focus on local wildlife, pollinators, native plants, desert species, and conservation topics, fostering meaningful connections between participants and the natural world. Additionally, you will play a key role in promoting outreach programs on behalf of the Learning & Impact Department and The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens.

This position requires a creative and compassionate educator with a strong commitment to conservation education and the ability to engage diverse audiences. You will also be solely responsible for the administration, coordination, implementation, follow-up, and organization of all outreach activities, ensuring seamless program execution and ongoing community engagement.

This position requires flexibility in scheduling to meet the evolving needs of the department, including occasional evenings, weekends, and holidays. Schedules may be adjusted as needed to accommodate outreach events, community partnerships, and organizational priorities, as well as to manage hours effectively.

In addition to outreach responsibilities, you will assist with other Learning & Impact programs, including but not limited to child camps, youth programs, adult education initiatives, and special events. You will also support various departmental tasks as needed and assist with additional projects assigned by the department Curator and/or Vice President, contributing to the overall success of the team and its educational mission.

Job duties and responsibilities will be tailored to meet the specific needs of the zoo and are subject to change.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Outreach Coordinator plays a key role in developing, coordinating, and delivering high-quality educational programs that support The Living Desert’s mission. This position requires creativity, strong communication skills, and a passion for conservation education. Primary responsibilities include:

Outreach & Community Engagement

• Build and maintain relationships with schools, community organizations, and other partners to promote participation and engagement.

• Represent The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens at community events, educational programs, and outreach opportunities to raise awareness of conservation efforts.

• Uphold brand standards in all official appearances and educational presentations. 

Program Development & Implementation

• Design and develop engaging, age-appropriate curriculum for outreach initiatives, focusing on conservation, wildlife, and behavior change.

• Create curriculum materials, including presentations, handouts, and activity guides, integrating hands-on activities such as crafts and interpretive tools.

• Plan, organize, and execute community outreach initiatives, partnering with organizations to expand program reach and achieve departmental goals.

• Deliver interactive and inclusive presentations to diverse audiences, including schools, libraries, community centers, and public events.

• Travel to and from program locations, ensuring the safe transport of materials.

• Become trained in animal handling and present Zoo ambassador animals in programs as necessary.

Guest & Program Support

• Address day-of event issues to ensure a smooth, safe, and successful experience for all participants.

• Communicate any high-level concerns with the Curator of Learning and Community Engagement.

• Support volunteer staff with approved tasks.

Administrative & Data Management

• Handle phone calls and cross-departmental communications related to outreach and education programs.

• Manage reservations and general office tasks related to outreach initiatives.

• Maintain accurate records of program attendance, activities, and outcomes, and track participant feedback for evaluation and reporting.

• Prepare reports and presentations summarizing program impact and outcomes for internal and external stakeholders.

• Review requests that The Living Desert receives for outreach and manage the administrative tasks necessary to follow up with responses or fulfillment of requests

• Work collaboratively with our Sustainability and Behavior Change Department to design, conduct, and record evaluations of outreach events.

Team Collaboration & Institutional Responsibilities

• Attend and actively participate in departmental and all-staff meetings.

• Establish and maintain professional working relationships with co-workers and other departments in accordance with The Living Desert Team Member Handbook.

• Contribute to conservation initiatives by promoting sustainability efforts, such as reducing waste, water, and energy use.

• Maintain a safe, clean, and organized working environment.

• Undertake other related responsibilities as necessary to support department objectives.

This role requires a high level of independence, organization, and initiative to ensure outreach programs are impactful, accessible, and aligned with The Living Desert’s mission of conservation education.

Requirements

Specific Skills:

• Ability to teach children and adults in non-traditional settings is required

• Informal teaching and interpretive skills required

• Broad knowledge of desert natural history and science is highly desired

• Knowledge of STEAM Curriculum and California NGSS standards is highly desired

• Use of task management software such as monday.com highly desired

• Software literate in Microsoft, Word, and Excel, familiarity with Windows OS

• Good observational skills

• Must have strong organizational skills

• Ability to give and comprehend written and oral instructions, and to accurately carry out such instructions

• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing

• Ability to work with others in a team setting

• Ability to operate in a fast-paced environment

• Ability to adapt to a changing environment 

• Strong conflict-resolution skills

• Ability to operate video equipment and editing software for creation of virtual education content desired

• Must be a motivated self-starter who needs minimal supervision

• Must have strong interpersonal and communication skills

• Knowledge of evaluation desired

• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred, with the ability to engage diverse audiences effectively

• Familiarity with the Coachella Valley community, including its environmental and cultural landscape is highly desirable

Qualifications

• Education & Experience: A BA or BS in education, environmental science, biology, or a related field is preferred. A California teaching certification is desirable, with at least one year of experience as a teacher, environmental educator, or natural history interpreter. Equivalent training and experience that provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.

• Knowledge & Skills: Strong background in environmental education, outreach, or community engagement, with expertise in local wildlife, pollinators, native flora, and conservation.

• Communication & Engagement: Excellent public speaking and presentation skills, with the ability to engage and inspire diverse audiences through interactive and hands-on learning experiences.

• Program Development: A creative and innovative approach to curriculum and program development, ensuring engaging, educational, and mission-driven content.

• Work Ethic & Adaptability: Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple projects and priorities effectively.

• Technical Proficiency: Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and other relevant software applications.

• Physical Requirements: Ability to load and unload supplies, lift up to 50 lbs, and transport materials to various outreach locations.

• Licensing & Transportation: A valid California driver’s license is required, along with insurability under The Living Desert’s automobile policy. Reliable transportation is necessary for outreach activities, and the role may require operating an electric golf cart or tram for on-site transportation.

• Collaboration & Communication: Clear and consistent communication with the Curator of Learning and Community Engagement is crucial, as well as with the Vice President of Learning and Impact, to ensure alignment with departmental goals, strategic initiatives, and program effectiveness.

• Flexibility & Scheduling: Flexibility in scheduling is essential to accommodate outreach events, community partnerships, and departmental needs, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, while also ensuring proper time management.

• Adaptability to Program Needs: Schedules may be adjusted as needed to meet program demands, allowing for participation in Learning & Impact initiatives such as school field trips, camps, youth and adult programs, and special events.

• Time Management: Work hours will be structured to effectively balance workload, ensuring efficiency while preventing unnecessary overtime and maintaining compliance with organizational policies.

• Local Travel & Outreach Commitments: Willingness to travel locally to outreach locations, sometimes on short notice, to ensure accessibility and engagement with diverse audiences.

• Departmental Support & Cross-Functionality: Support additional projects and tasks as assigned by the Curator of Learning and Community Engagement and the Vice President of Learning & Impact to contribute to the department’s overall success.

Equipment Used

• Technology & Office Equipment: PC computer, general office equipment, telephone, scanner, and 2-way radio.

• Presentation & Media Tools: Audio-visual equipment, digital camera, and other multimedia tools for educational programming.

• Transportation & On-Site Equipment: Electric golf cart for on-site transport.

This role requires a passion for conservation education, a commitment to community engagement, and the ability to create meaningful connections between people and the natural world.

Conditions of Work:

PHYSICAL EFFORT: Sitting, standing, walking, bending, out-of-doors hiking, some lifting to 50 lbs.

DISCOMFORT/RISKS: Occasional exposure to the extremes of the desert environment, i.e. heat and aridity.

HOLIDAY/EVENING WORK: Holiday, evening and weekend work may be required.

TRAVEL: Occasional field trips, workshops, seminars, conferences, & program presentations.

This class specification should not be interpreted as all inclusive.  It is intended to identify the major responsibilities and requirements of this job.  The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification.

Salary : $22