Director of Community Research & Evaluation

Denver Zoo is a leader in animal care, wildlife conservation, and education. We are passionate about our commitment to excellence in support of our mission of Inspiring Communities to Save Wildlife for Future Generations.

Denver Zoo honors our animals, staff, and guests by conducting ourselves at the highest level of integrity through our Core Actions - Inspire Awe: Safety, Care, Connect and by embracing our Core Values of: Welcoming, United, Curious, Courageous and Transformative in all that we do.

As Denver Zoo embraces a global conservation alliance model, the Director of Community Research & Evaluation provides strategic leadership in planning, implementation, and oversight of audience and program research and evaluation, in collaboration with the SVP for Conservation Engagement & Impact, CEI Directors, and zoo-wide executives and staff.

The Director oversees and participates in research and evaluation projects that progress the organization’s ongoing development and impact on audiences and wildlife conservation efforts. By overseeing the evaluation of strategic plan activities and key performance indicators (KPIs), and providing guidance in implementation science, this role ensures our services, programs and exhibits are designed to best connect guests and community members with the organization’s mission.

The Director provides leadership and supervision for a team of two managers who coordinate and implement systematic, data-based inquiries that engage Denver Zoo audiences. Additionally, the Director provides collaborative and strategic leadership by actively seeking partnerships with key internal and external stakeholders that contribute to the Zoo’s mission.

Our staff is a dedicated and diverse group of individuals committed to providing quality care to our animals while creating moments of awe for guests. If you are a like-minded individual and thrive in a dynamic, fast paced and innovative culture, Denver Zoo is the place for you!

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Direction of Denver Zoo’s Audience and Conservation Social Science Research and Evaluation: Leads an outstanding organizational resource that provides relevant data to inform decision-making, and contributes to the understanding of the Zoo’s impact in the community. Actively co-designs research and evaluation studies with Audience Research & Evaluation Manager and Conservation Social Science Research & Evaluation Manager. Oversees research and evaluation activities, such as:
  • Seeking audience insights, perspectives, values, and understandings to inform program and project decisions;
  • Effectively determining the impact Denver Zoo programs, exhibit and experiences have on audiences;
  • Effectively determining the impact Denver Zoo’s programs have on conservation goals, learning and engagement;
  • Conducting and reporting social science studies on audience monitoring and evaluation, audience research, and conservation learning programs that can be utilized by multiple staff, departments, and the larger field of informal learning.
  • Serving as collaborator and key contact for multi-institutional study partnerships.
• Strong, Strategic Team Leadership: Engages a team of staff and volunteers in the vision, purpose, goals and activities of community research & evaluation at Denver Zoo. Motivates, teaches, encourages and creates a collaborative and creative learning environment. Learns alongside teammates. Ensures integrity, respect, cultural relevancy, accuracy and usefulness of all studies. Develops and champions programs that encourage employee growth. Seeks resources needed and provides strategic vision for team’s services provided to the Zoo, including program evaluation, visitor studies and exhibit evaluation.
• Zoo Research Agenda Strategy Development: Works closely with managers, division leaders, executives, and other key stakeholders to determine the Zoo’s priority research projects in the short- and long-term.
• Evaluation of Denver Zoo’s Strategic Plan: CRE Director provides management/oversight for Denver Zoo’s current and longitudinal monitoring studies, especially where organizational KPIs aligned with strategic plan are sourced. Projects may include:
  • Guest Experience Survey
  • Biennial Guest Demographic Census
  • Animal Visibility Study
• Evaluation of CEI Division’s Strategic Initiatives: Partners with SVP of CEI to develop, execute, and monitor comprehensive evaluation plans for the division’s strategic activities. Supports the CEI Division with data needed to inform strategic decision-making, process development, process outputs, and progress towards KPI achievement.
• Research and Evaluation Implementation: Activates as needed, especially in support of robust studies, by implementing data collection, analysis and reporting.
• Building Capacity: Provides all Denver Zoo staff, volunteers, and board members with knowledge and skills to understand evaluation processes and importance through inclusive project strategies, technical assistance, reporting strategies, and direct trainings.
• Program Development and Design Methods: Contributes to and advises on the Zoo’s program development process and resources (e.g. ROADMAP: Reaching Our Audiences by Developing Mission Aligned Programs), in collaboration with other CEI Directors.
• Research Dissemination: Shares research and evaluation findings through internal communications, reports to funders, journal articles, and presentations at regional and national meetings and conferences.
• Professional Practice: Remains current with trends and best practices of research and evaluation in formal and informal learning environments through literature, professional development, and networking with other professionals.
• Organizational Zoo and Industry Leadership: Participates in strategic short- and long-term planning for the Zoo and the CEI Division. Engages in local, regional and national networks and committees related to audience research and evaluation.
• Community Leadership: Collaborates with CEI Division Directors and External Relations on community-based initiatives (e.g. priority audience listening sessions), to ensure data-driven education, engagement and field-based conservation efforts.
• Program Finances: Assumes responsibility and justification of the annual budget for the Community Research and Evaluation department. Writes grant proposals and reports as needed.
• Sets priorities in alignment with Inspire Awe:
  • Safety first, always
  • Care demonstrated through exceptional guest service
  • Connect with each guest utilizing ROADMAP’s guest engagement strategies and program development process.
• Demonstrates a commitment to Denver Zoo’s Sustainability Policies by adhering to all environmental, safety, & health regulations, procedures, and goals.
• Acts in accordance with Denver Zoo’s Core Values: Welcoming, United, Curious, Courageous, and Transformative in all interactions with staff, guest, volunteers, and vendors.

Other Responsibilities and Duties

• Participates in and provides support for Learning and Engagement activities including special events, Free Days, and professional development opportunities.
• Serves on committees and projects as requested and as available.
• Functions as a liaison with outside evaluation consultants.
• Complies with all Zoo policies and performs other supportive duties as needed.
• Performs various duties as assigned.

Technical / Professional Requirements & Qualifications

• Advanced degree preferred in a relevant field such as education, social sciences, biological sciences, museum studies, and/or related area; formal coursework in evaluation and/or research methodology preferred; bachelor’s degree required.
• Proven ability in conducting social science research and evaluation studies.
• At least five years professional experience in non-formal/formal environmental or science education in a zoo/museum/related setting.
• Exceptional leadership skills and demonstrated ability to collaborate and foster teamwork within and across teams, and across multiple disciplines.
• A demonstrated record of operating results sufficient to prove the candidate’s ability to plan, organize and direct work programs in an effective manner, and to supervise and evaluate other professional and support staff members.
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal and team facilitation skills.
• Ability to demonstrate critical thinking and analytical skills required for strategic planning and revenue maximization.
• Ability to cultivate and maintain effective working relationships with a diversity of groups including board members, Zoo staff and the public.
• Demonstrated experience or ability to be involved in industry organizations (e.g. Association of Zoos and Aquariums, American Alliance of Museums, Visitor Studies Association, American Evaluation Association, and/or Association of Science and Technology Centers).
• Competency in computer skills: Microsoft product suite, spreadsheets, databases, internet use and networks.
• Proficient use of computer software for word processing, information searching and retrieval, data analysis and communication (Microsoft Office 365, SPSS for Windows, QSR Nvivo9, online survey platforms).

Position Conditions

• Ability to pass a background check and pre-employment drug and alcohol screen.

Compensation

Range for this position is $6,368-$7,960 (monthly).

Benefits

This is a full-time position with excellent benefits including medical, dental and vision benefits; life insurance; short term and long-term disability; 403(b) retirement plan; and vacation and sick leave.

Application Process and Timelines

Please submit a resume, cover letter to be considered. Resumes / Completed applications must be submitted by May 19th, 2022. Review of applications will begin immediately. Denver Zoo reserves the right to close the position prior to this date.

Denver Zoo is following all CDC guidelines. CDC states that receiving the COVID-19 vaccine is the best defense against the spread of, and severe illness due to, COVID-19. Denver Zoo highly encourages our employees to be vaccinated. We do ask for employees to upload their vaccination card into our HRIS for documentation. This information is kept confidential.

Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and others who identify as nonwhite, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQIA community, and those with lived experience with racism and/or misogynoir are encouraged to apply for this role.

Denver 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.

www.denverzoo.org