Facility

Happy Hollow Zoo

Closing Date

Description

Happy Hollow Park & Zoo is a 16 acre amusement park and Association of Zoo’s & Aquariums accredited zoo located in San José, California. Happy Hollow Park & Zoo is open year-round catering to families with children. It operates seven amusement park rides, showcases various endangered species, and operates one of the oldest classical puppet theaters in California, as well as offering many other playgrounds and attractions emphasizing play and imagination in a natural conservation setting.

The Department is seeking one (1) full-time, benefited Zoo Educator for Happy Hollow Park & Zoo. Under general direction of the Zoo Education Specialist, the Zoo Educator position plans, develops designs, and executes animal educational, informational, and recreational programs to promote the activities and operation of Happy Hollow Park & Zoo. The Zoo Educator acts as a lead to Recreation Leaders and volunteers. This position regularly works weekends, evenings, and holidays, during all climatic conditions as assigned.

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

Plans and coordinates education programs such as group outreach programs, early childhood classes, Zoo sleepover programs, on-site classes, animal shows, summer camps, scout programs, and other educational recreational programs.
Conducts presentations at the Zoo, schools, and civic groups using education animals and other exhibits, and utilizing the Zoo’s resources to enhance public understanding and appreciation of wildlife and support for conservation of endangered species.

Participates in the development and designs of the educational curriculum content of programs, displays, signage, and written material for appropriateness and accuracy of data.

Maintains liaison and coordinates education activities with area schools, school districts, and community groups.

Handles, trains, and cares for domestic and exotic animals in the Zoo’s animal collection professionally and safely.

Provides enrichment activities and performs animal behavioral training for the animals used in education programs.

Participates in developing training protocol for animal education handling processes.

Promotes cooperative relationships with conservation and other concerned groups including zoos, museums, parks, educational institutions, and organizations.

Provides information and referrals to participants and the community regarding activities and services available, including developing and disseminating publicity.

Assists with selection and training of class instructors and volunteers as needed.

Education and Pre-requisites

Education: Completion of high school or equivalent (General Educational Development (GED) Certificate or California Proficiency Certificate).

Experience: Three (3) years (equivalent to 6,240 hours) experience providing animal educational services in a zoo, science center, museum, or animal care facility.

Acceptable Substitution: Two (2) years of college coursework (equivalent to 60 semester units/90 quarter units) in zoology, biology, ecology and conservation or closely related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the three (3) years experience. There will be no substitute for at least one (1) year experience of providing animal educational services in a zoo, science center, museum, or animal care facility

License/Certificates:

Possession of valid California Driver’s License, or ability to obtain within 2 months of hire.
Possession of valid First Aid Certificate, or ability to obtain within 2 months of hire.

Possession of valid CPR Certificate, or ability to obtain within 2 months of hire.

Employment Eligibility: Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of San Jose will NOT sponsor, represent, or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.

Background Check: Candidates will be required to undergo a background check, including a criminal history records check, before being considered for a position.

Compensation and benefits

Minimum Salary: 47,694.40
Maximum Salary: 57,928.00
Benefits: https://www.sanjoseca.gov/your-government/departments/human-resources/benefits

Application instructions

Go to: https://www.sanjoseca.gov/ Click on Browse City Jobs, click on Browse City Jobs again, click on “apply” next to Zoo Educator FT – Parks, Recreation & Neighborhood Services at the bottom of the alphabetical list. Follow instructions as prompted.

If you have questions about the duties of these positions or the selection or hiring processes, please contact Employee Services Analyst, Dominique Voelker via email at Dominique.Voelker@sanjoseca.gov.