Facility
Potter Park Zoo
Closing Date
[jobclosingdate]
Description
The Conservation Engagement Lead is responsible for the oversight and coordination of conservation, engagement and learning programs and staff at Potter Park Zoo.
We are looking for an enthusiastic individual with a passion for teaching and engaging children and zoo guests about the importance of conservation of animals and the natural world.
The right candidate must have experience and knowledge of teaching strategies that integrate STEM education with opportunities for program participants to take conservation action. A passion for integrating conservation goals into zoo programming is essential – particularly as it applies to children.
Essential Job Functions:
1. Responsible for the development and maintenance of the Potter Park Zoo conservation action plan and education plan with measurable outcomes for the organization as defined by the accreditation standards of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)
2. Leads development, coordination, and implementation of all conservation, engagement and learning programs
3. Assigns and supervises duties of all conservation, engagement and learning staff which includes onboarding, training, work assignments, scheduling, and addressing personnel matters pertaining to staff
4. Oversee recruitment, selection, training, and scheduling of volunteer educators for all conservation, engagement and learning programs as well as ensuring the education manual for volunteers is current and effective in collaboration with the Learning Programs Coordinator
5. Ensure all messaging for the organization’s communication including but not limited to programming, volunteer training materials, website, signage, and media are consistent with the conservation action plan
6. Coordinate with Environmental Educator on curriculum alignment of education programming
7. Coordinate with the Special Projects Coordinator on conservation education messaging in all public events
8. Organize public educational opportunities including conservation talks and other guest lectures
9. Represent the conservation, engagement and learning department in both internal and external meetings
10. Collaborate with local, regional, and state organizations to further the conservation education reach of Potter Park Zoo
11. Evaluate, measure, monitor and document the impact of the zoo’s conservation education efforts as guided by both the conservation action plan and the institution’s education plan
12. Represent the Department of Conservation, Engagement and Learning for AZA inspections and records – submit annual reports and oversee the compiling of materials for accreditation
13. Manage and maintain artifact/biofact collection to ensure an appropriate representative collection is in good condition – seek repairs and replacements as needed
14. Assist with identification and acquisition of revenue streams to fund the zoo’s conservation education efforts including but not limited to grants, sponsorships and donations
15. Responsible for ensuring the Department of Conservation, Engagement and Learning operates within the provided budget
Education and Pre-requisites
• Three years required (five years preferred) experience working in a school, education department at a zoo or other learning environment
• Three years required experience supervising and motivating a team as well as providing fiscal oversight to an organization
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills including public presentation experience
• High proficiency in all areas of Microsoft Office including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently as well as with a team
• Demonstrate leadership skills and the ability to develop and maintain positive and effective working relationships
• Experience with STEM education initiatives desired
• Skill in teaching and engaging those of all age levels
Education: Bachelor’s degree in education or related field required
Compensation and benefits
Not specified.
Application instructions
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to Amy Morris-Hall, Potter Park Zoo Society Director at amorris@ingham.org