Education Manager - Volunteers

Job Details

Description

Education Manager - Volunteers

Collaborate with a passionate Zoo Crew in San Antonio

Choosing where to grow your career has a major impact on your professional and personal life, so it’s equally important you know that the place you choose to work at will support and guide you. With a diversity of passionate people, San Antonio Zoo is a place where you can collaborate with others securing a future for wildlife.

The Impact You’ll Make in this Role

The Education Manager - Volunteers embodies the mission, vision, and values of San Antonio Zoo through engaging volunteer programs for young adult and adult participants. Under the guidance of the Director – Education, this position manages robust, high-quality, and joyful volunteer programs including recruitment, applications and interviews, onboarding, dismissal, training, placement, coaching, evaluation, record keeping and daily management. In addition to Docents, young adults, interns, and community volunteer programs, the volunteer team collaborates with various departments within the zoo to provide support for special events, theme days, outreach and other zoo initiatives. This position will also oversee and participate in occasional travel opportunities (regional, national and/or international) for young adult and adult volunteers.

Education

As an Education Manager for Volunteers, you will have the opportunity to tap into your curiosity and collaborate with some of the most innovative and diverse people in San Antonio. Here, you will make an impact by:

• Develop, deliver, maintain effective and engaging volunteer expectations, recruitment strategies, onboarding and orientation processes, training and professional development opportunities, and coaching and feedback to ensure volunteer success and positive impact.
• Develop and deliver materials, resources and varied education and service-based programs to engage the entire range of volunteers, including but not limited to, Docents, young adults, interns, service volunteers and community volunteers.
• Work closely with zoo departments to identify volunteer needs match individuals with appropriate roles.
• Represent the zoo at community events, on and off zoo grounds, to promote volunteer opportunities and support zoo initiatives.
• Establish partnerships with local universities, corporate entities, and community organizations.
• Regularly assess volunteer, staff and program performance to meet and exceed short-term and long-range objectives and implement an impactful volunteer recognition program.
• Build and maintain professional relationships with short-term and long-term volunteers by providing meaningful objectives and opportunities, coaching, support and critical feedback.
• Directly manage, develop and support the Education Coordinator – Volunteers and their associated programs, including young adult fieldwork, Community Science initiative, travel programs, and program swaps.
• Collaborate with the zoo’s departments to ensure accurate dissemination of information, mission-focused messaging, and effective use of zoo resources for conservation education.
• Provide leadership and support for volunteers, the Education Department, and the zoo team while aligning departmental goals with broader zoo priorities.
• Manage volunteer program resources including revenue and expenses, assisting with annual budget development, monitoring expenditures, sourcing uniforms and equipment, and preparing and delivering volunteer appreciation.
• Maintain accurate volunteer data and documents and analyze and report program initiatives and impact.
• Collaborate with the Director-Education and entire Education Team to foster a positive workplace culture that aligns with the zoo’s mission, vision, and values through policies, systems, training, and culture-building activities.
• Carefully consider how departmental and personal goals fit into larger zoo priorities.
  
  

Other Responsibilities

• Performs other work-related duties as required and assigned.
  
  

Your Skills And Expertise

To set you up for success in this role from day one, the San Antonio Zoo recommends the following skills/qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources, Non-profit Management, Education, Science Education, Environmental Education, or related field.
• Two years of professional experience with volunteer management, preferably at a similar facility.
• Two years of supervisory experience.
• Ability to accommodate a flexible schedule to monitor and support volunteer and Education Department initiatives on and off zoo grounds (including regional, national and international travel) as well as before, during and/or after zoo hours and special events.
• Knowledge of conservation, zoology, ecology, animal behavior and related topics preferred.
• Commitment to conservation and zoo mission.
• Knowledge of interpretation and current guest experience trends.
• Knowledge of human resources and volunteer management systems preferred.
• Ability to effectively communicate, internally and externally, in person, by email and on the phone.
• Ability to train and motivate staff/volunteers to engage zoo guests with fun and effective conservation messaging and education encounters.
• Experience developing, promoting, implementing, and evaluating educational curriculum.
• Proven team player with strong leadership skills, positive outlook and ability to work effectively and diplomatically with diverse groups of people.
• Excellent time management, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated experience in organization, decision-making, problem solving and creating a collaborative environment.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and professionalism.
• Strong workshop and professional development facilitation skills.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks with flexible and rigid deadlines.
• Ability to maintain the safety of volunteers, staff, and program participants before, during, and after program experiences.
• Ability to train, inspire and evaluate staff and volunteers to engage program participants in fun and effective conservation education activities, presentations, and programs.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and respond effectively under pressure.
• Successful candidates must complete a pre-employment National Sex Offender Search, Criminal Background Check, Drug Screen, and TB test.
• We enjoy year-round operation for all staff, must be available day, nights, weekends, holidays, and occasional after-hour assignments.
  
  

The San Antonio Zoo is an equal opportunity employer. San Antonio Zoo will not discriminate against any applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.