Community Education Coordinator

Starting Payrate: $15.45 hourly 

SUMMARY OF POSITION: The Community Education Coordinator will primarily be responsible for managing programs that engage visitors, program participants and local community members with conservation-focused programming. This will include building partnerships, outcomes-based program development, implementation and evaluation. Evaluation will be a significant focus for programming, part-time/seasonal/volunteer educator development, and program animal presentation. The normal work schedule will be Tuesday through Saturday.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work with program partners to coordinate the ZooCrew Teen Conservation program, including new program development each semester, scheduling, registration, implementation, and outcomes evaluation.

• Manage part-time and seasonal educators to develop and implement outcomes-based programming targeted to zoo guests to communicate the zoo’s conservation messages in fun, engaging and inspiring ways to promote changes in knowledge, attitude and behavior. This will include training and evaluating zoo staff and volunteers on interpretation techniques using collaborative and constructive evaluation and evaluating programs for effectiveness at achieving outcomes.

• Incorporate community science into programming for zoo guests. Examples include pollinator monitoring, snake coverboard and telemetry surveys, aquatic insect monitoring and more. Research community science projects and develop formal and informal programming to engage the public.

• Work with program animal keepers to train and evaluate staff and volunteers for program animal presentation. Evaluate both the presenter and the presentation method.

• Coordinate Twilight Tours and Night Safaris, including program development, scheduling, registration, training staff, implementation and evaluation.

• Assist with general Education Department and zoo needs such as conducting programs for onsite and outreach school groups, answering phones, processing registrations, maintaining office supplies, cleaning, helping with zoo events, committees, promotions and other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Able to manage a classroom ages 4 and older while maintaining a positive environment.

• Able to supervise adults and youth while maintaining a positive environment.

• Excellent interpersonal skills and able to work well with others in a team setting.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Excellent organizational skills.

• Knowledge and understanding of general science concepts, especially biological concepts.

• Comfortable speaking to large groups and diverse audiences.

• Comfortable working with a wide variety of animals including small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates.

• Familiarity with current conservation issues.

• Self-motivated and able to work with minimal supervision.

• Flexible, open to change and able to handle unexpected situations.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• College degree or equivalent experience in a related field.

• Demonstrated experience teaching children in a classroom or professional informal learning setting.

• Demonstrated supervisory experience including training and evaluating employees.

• Demonstrated experience evaluating education programs for outcome achievement.

• Demonstrated experience researching and developing education programming, preferably in an informal professional setting such as a nature center, park, zoo, aquarium, etc.

• Demonstrated experience using Microsoft Office programs effectively, especially Word, Excel, and Powerpoint. Experience with database and registration software is a plus.

• Must have or obtain a valid TN driver’s license and meet Zoo Knoxville driving record requirements.

• Able to lift up to 50 lbs.

• Able to safely negotiate stairs while carrying a loaded dolly.

Don’t meet every requirement? At Zoo Knoxville we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

As an employee of Zoo Knoxville, you must possess English communication skills as well as the ability to communicate using a 2-way radio, email and telephone.  The position hours vary depending on business needs and will require weekend and some holiday shifts. Depending on the specific tasks, this position will be required to work within close proximity of exotic and domestic animals and must be aware that there are dangers inherent in working under those conditions. Zoo Knoxville is committed to maintaining a drug free workplace and as such each employee must pass a pre-employment drug screen.