Job Postings

Education Director

Facility

Buffalo Zoo

Closing Date
December 31, 2017
Description

The Buffalo Zoo seeks a dynamic and driven individual to serve as our Education Director. The ideal candidate will possess the skills and experience to lead a creative education department into the future – emphasizing the development and implementation of innovative conservation education programming, interactive exhibit elements, and engaging guest experiences in order to achieve the Buffalo Zoo’s mission. We seek someone who has excellent team leadership and communication skills as well as extensive knowledge of free choice and inquiry-based learning. This individual will work closely with Zoo leadership staff on continuing to develop and implement a bright future for the Buffalo Zoo.

Overview of Position:
Reporting to the Chief Conservation Officer, the Education Director is responsible for providing leadership to the Education Department including all developmental, operational, budgetary, and administrative functions within a multi-faceted department with the goal of promoting the education and involvement of people in conservation and the Zoo through onsite and outreach programs. This individual is responsible for continuously monitoring and analyzing education department functions and making decisions and recommendations regarding those functions. The Education Director must also work closely with other zoo departments to assure excellence in guest experience and exhibit design. In addition to these functions, this individual serves as a member of the Zoo’s senior management team and assists in developing and implementing the Zoo’s strategic plan and mission.

Essential Functions:
• Primary accountability for specific functions and results. The list of essential functions is not exhaustive and may be supplemented or changed as necessary.
• Oversees the supervision of Education Department staff including hiring, training, assigning and reviewing work, allocating personnel and coordinating work activities, and providing on-going opportunity for growth, development and enrichment.
• Develops a short term annual plan and long range strategic plan for the production, revision and implementation of all on-site and outreach educational programs and activities designed to meet the needs and interests of the Zoo’s diverse audiences.
• Oversees the supervision of Education Department resources such as the Living Tree House space and biofacts/artifacts.
• Oversees the health and welfare of the Education Department’s ambassador animal collection including the acquisition and disposition of animals; leads and/or oversees ambassador animal care personnel allocation and work activities, and the resolution of animal maintenance, enclosure/exhibit, safety and other operations issues.
• Oversees the management of all aspects of the Delta Sonic Heritage Farm.
• Oversees the management and utilization of the Docent Program including recruitment, training, scheduling and development of Docent volunteers.
• Directs the writing, editing and publishing of all in-house and external educational materials.
• Works with the Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Conservation Officer to establish a plan designed to effectively increase awareness of offerings and promote program enrollment.
• Works with the Director of Development to research and write education-related grant proposals.
• Directs development and implementation of administrative systems for record keeping, program evaluations, and program revisions; prepares annual reports summarizing the activities of tours, school classes, outreach programs, public education programs, and special programs.
• Develops and oversees maintenance of relationships with partners and education-related institutions such as Buffalo Public School #59.
• Participates in departmental and interdepartmental committees as assigned.
• Prepares an annual departmental budget and maintains a thorough understanding of budgetary resources allocated to the Education Department.
• Develops interpretive plans for new exhibitry and oversees revisions/repairs to existing exhibit interpretive components.
• Coordinates signage needs through the Zoo including research, copywriting, production and installation.
• Performs related work as required.

Education and Pre-requisites

Position Qualifications:
To perform at a proficient level and be fully qualified, a person would be expected to have:
Education (Minimum Needed):
Four year degree in education, one of the natural sciences or a closely related field.

Experience (Minimum Needed):
• Four years management experience in an educational setting (preferably in upper management); experience in a zoo, aquarium, or museum education department preferred.
• Strong knowledge of education practices/philosophies used in school, conservation, nature, and zoological interpretation.
• Demonstrated public speaking ability.
• Ability to supervise in a manner conducive to full performance and high morale.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing to diverse groups of employees, docents and visitors.

Specialized Knowledge Needed For Performance of Job:
• A broad based knowledge of AZA education initiatives and their direct application in a free choice learning environment.

Special skills:
• Experience with the use of computers, audiovisual, related sound equipment; experience with distance learning videoconferencing preferred.

Other:
• May be required to work evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Proof of negative tuberculosis test and background check results upon hire.
• TB Test conducted annually.
• Must possess or be able to obtain within 30-days of employment a valid New York State driver’s license and have an average or better driving record based on the evaluation process of our insurance company. Retention of position is contingent upon maintaining required license. Must upgrade to classification appropriate to requirements (non-CDLC or CDL class).

Compensation and benefits

Salary is commensurate with experience. The Buffalo Zoo offers a generous benefits package including health insurance, dental, life insurance, retirement (403b), vacation, holiday and sick leave. Equal Opportunity Employer. Exempt Position.

Application instructions

To apply, please send resume and cover letter in Word document or PDF by email to: buffalozoojobs@buffalozoo.org by December 31, 2017. No telephone calls please. For more information about the Buffalo Zoo, please visit our website: http://www.buffalozoo.org