Facility

Alaska Zoo

Closing Date

Description

JOB STATEMENT/PURPOSE:
The primary function of the Education Director is to promote the Alaska Zoo and its missions by overseeing, designing, developing and evaluating the implementation of formal and informal educational and interpretive elements. Reports to the Executive Director and serves as an active member of the zoo’s senior leadership team.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
❖ Responsible for the recruitment, hiring, training, and supervision of all Education Department staff per zoo policies and standards, in agreement with Chief Business Officer and Executive Director.
❖ Maintain and form education programs in agreement with the Executive Director.
❖ Maintain annual budget and financial goals in collaboration with the Executive Director and Financial Department.
❖ Facilitate and collaborate with all departments of the zoo to bring engaging, interactive educational opportunities to zoo guests.
❖ Collaborate and encourage teamwork with zoo staff, the local education community and conservation groups.
❖ Develop and integrate the zoo’s conservation mission and environmental sustainability principles and practices into the Education Department’s regular set of courses and programs.
❖ Develop education programs aimed at entertaining and engaging zoo guests, including fee-based, school-based and grant supported programming.
❖ Communicate the advertising needs of the Education Department to the Alaska Zoo Marketing Team.
❖ With coordination from the Executive Director and Zoo Curator collaborate on outreach ambassador animal acquisition and care.
❖ Coordinate funding opportunities with the Development Department for educational programming, exhibit enhancements and interactive elements.
OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:
❖ Interface with Development Department on grant opportunities.
❖ Continuously explore developing federal funding opportunities.
❖ Establish teacher training opportunities and develop curricula to enhance the usage of The Alaska Zoo as a resource and a field trip site for district schools.
❖ Develop partnerships within the public and private school sector and universities.
❖ Adheres to Zoo policies and protocols.
❖ Other tasks and duties based on the needs of the business
PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS:
❖ While performing duties of this job, would occasionally be required to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop or kneel, talk and hear, and use fingers and hands to feel objects, tools or controls.
❖ Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
❖ Ability to work in Alaska weather extremes.
❖ Job will generally be performed in a zoo environment, with some travel.

Education and Pre-requisites

❖ Thorough working knowledge of conservation and environmental education techniques.
❖ Thorough knowledge of educational assessment and evaluation tools.
❖ Experience managing programs and analyzing their success.
❖ Ability to effectively direct the planning and implementation of various non-profit programs.
❖ Excellent oral and written communication skills.
❖ Strong computer literacy skills, including the use of Microsoft Office Suite.
❖ Knowledge of distance learning techniques and equipment preferred.
❖ Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively communicate with a wide variety of people.
❖ Minimum Education Requirement- Bachelor’s degree in Education, Zoology, Environmental Studies, or related field from accredited college or university.
❖ A minimum of five (5) years of experience in conservation/environmental education – preferably in a zoo environment or other informal science institution – with progressively responsible management experience.
❖ Ability to obtain certification in CRP and First Aid within the first ninety (90) days of employment.
❖ Must have a valid Driver’s License.

Compensation and benefits

Exempt
Full-time

Application instructions

Contact Tristan Thon at AOM@alaskazoo.org and/or call 907-341-6457