Seasonal Education Specialist

The Great Plains Zoo welcomes applicants for our Seasonal Education Specialist. This position is a great opportunity for those who love working with the public, specifically in an educational or animal format. The position is responsible for the implementation of the on-site and community-based education programs at both GPZ and BHA, and requires the ability to handle ambassador animals. Programming occurs on weekdays, weekends, holidays, and evenings.

Essential Functions

Maintain an enthusiastic, self-reliant and self-starting approach to job responsibilities and accountability.
Strive to anticipate workload and initiate proper acceptable direction for the completion of work with a minimum of supervision or instruction.

Education

Promote the Zoo’s mission by conducting education programs so that learning is a fun, engaging, memorable experience for your audience.

Present a variety of Education programs for a wide range of ages and audiences. Utilize appropriate techniques to engage and educate participants, based on age, interest, and learning abilities.

Provide excellent customer service to teachers and informal educators, students, volunteers, and visitors in all types of programming and special events.

Communicate with appropriate contacts to schedule Education department programming. Answer correspondence and provide informational services in response to telephone, written or personal inquiries.

Work closely with the Education director and permanent and seasonal Education staff to ensure effective planning, preparation, and execution of all Education programs, including but not limited to camps, early childhood programs, overnights, on-grounds programming and outreach.

Work in coordination with the Education Director and other Education staff with ideas, comments, evaluations tools and suggestions for future program development. Prepares written material when required for Education Department programs (lesson plans, information sheets, etc.).

Track attendance, time on programs, and other needed data on education programming as needed in appropriate documents

Demonstrate teamwork and coordination when dealing with other departments including facilities, guest services, volunteers, and animal care.

Duties may include working with teen, adult, and group volunteers and interns.

Animal Care

Handle and present ambassador animals in a safe, professional manner.

Report any signs of illness, lethargy, or injury to the Director of Animal Care, Veterinarian, or Area Supervisors as appropriate.

Follow all protocols and procedures to ensure that all ambassador animals are maintained in a safe and secure environment when transporting, training and conducting programs.

Additional Duties

Monitor and supervise BHA butterfly conservatory and/or touch tank.

Assist with cleaning, inspecting, and cataloging of museum artifacts.

Provide support to development and guest engagement teams during special events, fundraisers, and donor events.

Assist Education Director with seasonal attractions team as needed, by acting as daily contact person or covering locations (farm attendant, walkabout kangaroo, carousel, and train).

Perform other tasks as assigned.

Competency

Excellent communication skills.

Must be comfortable with people and able to give presentations to various sized groups of people of all ages.

Manual dexterity is necessary to carefully handle a variety of ambassador animals and museum artifacts.

Must be flexible, self-motivated, enthusiastic and a team player.

Must demonstrate punctual attendance, reliability and good time management skills.

Proficiency in MS Office products (Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint) and the ability to produce written materials for various publications and marketing tools.

Work Environment

Must be able to tolerate and be exposed to strong odors, toxic or caustic chemicals, dust, hay, animal fur/hair/dander, and wet or humid conditions (non-weather) and all variable outdoor weather conditions.

Work may occasionally be performed in the Conservatory, which is typically 85 degrees with high humidity year-round, the Containment Room, which is usually 80 degrees, and the Aquarium Gallery, which is typically 70 degrees with high humidity. A high tolerance for warm temperatures is necessary for this role.

Will also include time in an office setting using standard
office equipment, including computers, telephones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets.

Physical Demands

Must be able to climb ladders/stairs, lift crates/animals and or equipment/food/animal supplies weighing 70lbs or more repetitively. The role may be exposed to temperature and humidity changes.

Ability to ascend and descend ladders and stairs as needed

Capability to lift and move crates, animals, or equipment weighing up to 70 lbs.

Competence in operating large vehicles/vans

Agility and flexibility to navigate around animals in exhibits, corrals, and holding areas

Demonstrated hand and finger dexterity for tasks such as handling small equipment and operating controls

Strong visual acuity to accurately assess and respond to situations involving animals, equipment, and work environments

Travel

Must have the ability to drive locally and long distance for outreach programs (max of 300 miles round trip).

Work Schedule

The preferred season for this position is May – August; start date can be flexible, but weekday and weekend availability is required through July. This position will be scheduled for at least 24 hours per week and 40 hours per week during May, June, and July. Weekday, weekend, holiday, and evening work will be required.

Required Education and Experience

Requires a college degree in biological science, education or related field.
Applicable experience may be considered in place of degree requirements.

Requires experience presenting informal or formal education programs, preferably in an animal-related setting.

Preferred Education and Experience

Experience handling small animals and/or birds (raptors, parrots, reptiles, invertebrates, small mammals) would be advantageous.

Additional Qualifications

Maintain a current tetanus vaccination (5 years) and be willing to be TB tested annually.

Must be able to work weekends, holidays, and evenings as required.

Must have a valid driver’s license and be able to pass a pre-employment background check

Maintain a driving record acceptable to the Zoo and its insurer upon and throughout employment.