Zoo Educator at Minot Park District

Minot, North Dakota, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

29 May, 26

Salary

57595.0

Posted On

28 Feb, 26

Experience

2 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Program Management, Curriculum Development, Team Leadership, Evaluation, Reporting, Audience Engagement, Interdepartmental Collaboration, Safety Compliance, Partnership Cultivation, Budget Oversight, Grant Research, Staff Training, Volunteer Coordination, Communication, Fiscal Monitoring, AZA Standards

Industry

Government Administration

Description

TITLE: Zoo Education Coordinator GENERAL PURPOSE: Roosevelt Park Zoo seeks an Education Coordinator to plan, coordinate, manage, and direct the Roosevelt Park Zoo’s education programs, outreach activities, zoo teen programs, and related personnel to support the Zoo’s conservation and education mission. PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The following duties ARE NOT intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties. All staff support the Zoo’s mission, vision, core values, and five-year strategic plan by consistently and competently contributing their skills and expertise. Roosevelt Park Zoo’s ideal candidate will enhance our strategic impacts and embody our core values in the following ways: STRATEGIC IMPACTS Inspire: The ideal candidate will spark wonder and curiosity in our audiences for animals and the natural world, while serving as a leader in state-wide conservation education through: Conservation Education Program Management * Oversee and facilitate onsite and outreach education programs, including Zoo Camp, workshops, tours, and special presentations. * Manage classroom space, education staff and volunteers, ambassador animals, and program equipment. * Develop marketing materials, including newsletters, teacher guides, media releases, and program evaluations. Conservation Education Curriculum Management * Develop and facilitate science- and conservation-based education programs for diverse audiences, from Pre-K to adult. * Ensure programs meet or exceed State Education standards and AZA requirements. Team Leadership * Recruit, train, coordinate, and evaluate education staff, interns, volunteers, docents, and Zoo Teens; develop and maintain training materials and manuals. * Participate as a member of the Zoo Management Team and Conservation Committee. Evaluation and Reporting * Assess and evaluate all onsite and outreach education programs, curriculum, and content to ensure they meet intended goals, objectives, outcomes, and impact. * Maintains and updates the Zoo Education Master Plan in alignment with AZA guidelines. * Prepare and maintain program records, reports, correspondence, and documentation. * Manages the Zoo’s biofact collection, required federal permits, and annual inventories. Engage: The ideal candidate will create welcoming, inclusive experiences that connect Roosevelt Park Zoo’s diverse audiences to wildlife, strengthening our role as Minot's beloved community gathering place through: Audience Engagement * Coordinate and assist with special events, conservation programs, and promotional activities, including occasional evenings and weekends. * Assist in developing and evaluating exhibits, interpretive signage, and interactive spaces within the Zoo. * Assist with admissions operations and other Zoo functions as needed. Interdepartmental Collaboration * Collaborates with Animal Management staff to support ambassador animal programming and maintain the Institutional Collection Plan (ICP). Safety and Standards Compliance * Ensures safe working and learning environments for staff, volunteers, students, and guests. * Ensures ambassador animal welfare standards are maintained for both onsite and offsite programs. Partner: The ideal candidate will nurture strong relationships with individuals, partners, and businesses and help to build a thriving Zoo that supports wildlife and enriches and strengthens our community through: Cultivating Community Partnerships * Cultivate and maintain positive relationships with school districts, educators, environmental organizations, community groups, and professional associations. Zoo Representation * Serve as a Zoo representative through speaking engagements, interviews, professional organizations, AZA committees, and community outreach. Give: The ideal candidate will inspire meaningful giving by building a culture of generosity and welcoming supporters to be part of a mission that leaves a lasting legacy for wildlife, education, and the planet through: Budget and Grant Oversight * Prepares and monitors the education budget; tracks program revenues and expenditures. * Researches and identifies grant funding and sponsorship opportunities related to education initiatives. Other * Performs other duties as assigned or required. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Education and Experience: Bachelor’s Degree in Education or a Life Science field, AND two (2) years’ experience coordinating educational programming; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience. Minimum two (2) years of experience working in education with children preferred. Required Licenses or Certifications: * Must possess a valid North Dakota Driver’s License. * FA/CPR/AED Required Skills and Knowledge: * Expertise in principles and practices of formal and informal education. * Expertise in designing, delivering, and evaluating conservation education curriculum and content. * Expertise in designing, delivering, and evaluating engaging conservation education programs for diverse audiences. * Expertise in supervisory principles and staff development practices. * Expertise in supervising, training, and coordinating staff and volunteers while managing multiple projects and priorities. * Effective verbal and written communication, relationship-building with schools and community partners, and preparation of reports and records. * Proficiency in budget development and fiscal monitoring processes. * Proficiency in safety procedures for public programs and animal environments. * Proficiency with standard office software and educational technology. * Knowledge of AZA accreditation standards and animal ambassador program best practices, including animal welfare considerations (preferred). CORE VALUES Roosevelt Park Zoo expects all team members to embrace and live our core values. * To Drive Change: Embrace innovation, challenge conventional beliefs, and turn bold ideas into action. * To be a leader: Take ownership, inspire others and set the example. * To exceed expectations: Go beyond the standard and deliver with excellence. Work Environment: Work is performed in office settings, classrooms, zoo grounds, animal areas, and offsite locations such as schools and community centers. Duties involve frequent standing and walking, occasional lifting of objects up to 50 pounds, and exposure to outdoor weather conditions and animal environments. Position may require evening, weekend, and irregular hours to support programs and special events

Responsibilities

This role is responsible for planning, coordinating, managing, and directing the zoo’s education programs, outreach activities, and related personnel to support the conservation and education mission. Key duties include overseeing onsite and outreach programs, developing science- and conservation-based curriculum, leading education staff and volunteers, and evaluating program impact.