Education Program Specialist- Learning

SUMMARY

The Education Program Specialist-Learning is responsible for developing, implementing, coordinating and evaluating age-appropriate curricula and lesson designs for all aspects of educational programming on-site, virtually and through community outreach. The Education Program Specialist is responsible for the instruction and care of the guests in their charge. This position requires a strong ability to work in a team-oriented atmosphere.

As a specialist with a focus on evaluations, this position will function as the Education and Volunteer Department’s advocate and expert overseeing team evaluation and measurement of strategic objectives related to all educational programs, including those part of grant-reporting or guest experience, and intern/volunteer programs.

As a specialist with a focus on curricula, this position will function as the Education Department’s advocate and expert overseeing team curricula development related to all educational programs and experiences.

As a specialist with a focus on operations, this position will function as the Education Department’s advocate and expert overseeing team coordination of educational programs and experiences.

As a specialist with a focus on camp coordination, this position will work with the other specialists to oversee camp and teen experience programming throughout the year including curricula development, evaluation, registration, marketing, and seasonal staff and logistics support as needed.

SPECIALIZED FUNCTIONS

• Works with Education Managers to create strategic plans to develop a wide variety of high-quality educational programming, goals/objectives, and measurable assessment plans for programming.
• With a team of specialists, develops, implements, coordinates, and evaluates a wide variety of programming aligned to the Zoo’s mission, conservation messaging and educational philosophy throughout the year. Programming may include camps, outreach, digital experiences, homeschool, Zoo School, and more.
• With a team of specialists, creates and reviews curricula outlined in ROADMAPs and ensures the included assessment plans are age-appropriate and will address the individual needs of participants and stakeholders.
• With a team of specialists, uses a variety of evaluation methods including participant assessments and surveys, to make necessary changes as needed based on that data; maintains internal and external evaluation systems and data; and assists in evaluating guest experiences, interpretive messaging, graphics, etc. as required
• With a team of specialists and managers, coordinates staff, interns and volunteers as assigned to assist with educational programming and guest experiences and works to strengthen evaluation of their work as well as the intern/volunteer program.
• With a team of specialists and managers, completes administrative tasks such as reviewing program registration and demographic data, assisting with grant-reporting, etc. as required.
• Maintains a working knowledge of current research, best practice, and philosophy of education and evaluation in both formal and informal setting by participating in workshops, conferences and continuing education classes, as well as reviewing professional journals and web resources
• With a team of specialists and other Zoo staff, may present, publish, and share impact-reports, newsletters, and community memos to promote education and volunteer/intern programs to help recruit teachers, teens/young adults, and funders to be more active in supporting the Zoo or participating in programs

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS

• Works and collaborates with other Education Department staff in the development, preparation and implementation of a wide variety of programing and events including camps, nightlife programming, behind the scenes tours, homeschool programming, adult programming and professional development, Teacher Night, etc.
• Creates an environment conducive to learning by employing a variety of appropriate instructional and interpretive strategies.
• Coordinates with other staff to arrange zoo tours, keeper interactions, and ambassador animals as required
• Builds positive relationships within the Education and Volunteer team and with other Zoo departments.
• Actively supports a positive guest experience by providing excellent customer service to all guests and program participants, and provides excellent customer service by responding to questions about educational programming, addressing parent/guest concerns, etc.
• Handles ambassador animals as needed.
• Other duties as assigned

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• No direct reports

SAFETY ANALYSIS

The Education Program Specialist-Learning is impacted by hazardous exposures common to an office environment as well as public safety in an outdoor environment and ride operations. Some of the following exposures will occur daily:

• Responsibility for the safety of children during their program experience.
• The proper use and understanding of cleaning agents
• Thorough understanding of guest safety protocols, particularly with young children
• Inclement weather and hazards associated with ensuring student safety.
• Viral prevention cleaning and sanitization procedures
• Responsible management near hazards associated with train, carousel, or other ride operations

Specific training and procedures will be provided, designed to maintain safety of people as the highest priority of the zoo followed by the safety of the animal collection.

The use and understanding of a variety of personal safety equipment is mandatory.

All employees of the Zoo are required to be familiar with the Zoo’s overall safety policies as outlined in the employee handbook as well as being responsible for reporting any injury immediately to the first aid department.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee should expect:

• Manipulating, delivering, and distributing supplies and materials to others or to new locations
• Accommodating and supervising active groups of up to 35 students or guests across the distance of the Zoo and in play spaces of varying terrain
• Monitoring and adapting to exposure to varying outdoor elements related to weather and associated potential hazards

QUALIFICATIONS

• Effective organization, oral and written communication, leadership, multi-tasking, and collaboration or team skills
• Demonstrated competency or passion for engaging kids and teens in nature and science
• Experience working with or openness to be coached on working with children of different learning abilities and backgrounds
• Familiarity with or willingness to be trained on basic lesson planning and teaching principles
• At least 2-months experiences or adequate interests aligned with interdisciplinary teaching, outdoor or environmental education, inquiry-based learning, or human development
• Must have a valid driver’s license
• Must have current negative TB test and provide documentation, or be willing to have TB test.
• Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG) and First Aid/CPR or willing to become certified if able

POSITION TYPE AND HOURS OF WORK

• Full-time
• Weekdays, with most working hours ranging from 7:45am to 4:30pm.
• Schedule may vary according to season; occasional evening or weekend work and holidays may be required

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Birmingham Zoo is dedicated to creating a global community where all people value wildlife and wild places. As a workplace, the Zoo is guided by its core values: Passion, Excellence, Teamwork, Sustainability, and Diversity & Inclusion.

Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and others who identify as nonwhite, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQIA community, neurodiverse individuals, and those with diverse lived experiences are encouraged to apply for this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and functions of this position.

Birmingham Zoo is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected status or any other characteristic protected by law.

If selected, a background check and drug test will be conducted prior to beginning employment. Birmingham Zoo Inc. is a not-for-profit entity. The rate of pay for this position is $14.00/hour.