What are the responsibilities and job description for the Education Instructor – Summer Offsite Programs (Seasonal) position at Tulsa Zoo Management, Inc.?
Tulsa Zoo Management, Inc.
Position Title: Education Instructor – Summer Offsite Programs (seasonal)
Reports to: Education Manager – Reserved Programs
FLSA Status: Hourly, Non-Exempt
Safety Sensitive: Yes
Tulsa Zoo Management, Inc. (TZMI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the mission of “Connecting, Caring, Advocating for Wildlife, People, and Wild Places.” A dynamic group of passionate individuals brings the zoo to life each day, 365 days per year, caring for animals, greeting guests, educating the public and managing the facilities. Each member of the team is integral to the success of the zoo as a key asset in the City of Tulsa and the Northeast Oklahoma region, delivering recreational opportunities, providing unplugged family time and conserving animal species for future generations.
Position Summary:
The Education Instructor – Summer Offsite Programs works with zoo staff teaching Ready, Set, Summer! programs in partnership with Tulsa Public Schools and various other offsite programs during the months of June and July. Programs will be presented to elementary-aged children and hosted by Tulsa Public Schools summer camps and local libraries. Programs are presented as outlined by Tulsa Zoo’s education department. This role is responsible for presenting content and biofacts, as well as handling a selection of the department’s education ambassador animals. This is a seasonal position.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Teaches summer programs for Tulsa Zoo’s education department.
- Implements assigned, pre-written, interpretive educational programming for various age groups at off-site locations
- Provides unique, interactive, and interpretive educational experiences for all participants in assigned age group
- Participates in all activities and monitors student participation and enjoyment
- Ensures the safety of all guests and program participants
- Handles animals in the education animal collection in both public and non-public situations
- Manages biofacts related to the programs
Supervisory Responsibilities:
This position currently has no supervisory responsibilities.
Competencies:
To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:
Excellence and Continuous Improvement
- Works hard consistently and enthusiastically, steadfastly pushing for greater results
- Resolves problems and initiates action in an expedient manner
- Makes suggestions, offers solutions and thinks outside the box
- Demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement both personally and professionally
- Deals courteously and effectively with the public at all times
Integrity
- Accepts accountability for personal performance and behavior
- Admits and takes responsibility for correcting mistakes
- Keeps confidences
- Represents collective interests over personal gains
Teamwork
- Able to establish and maintain effective and professional working relations with coworkers
- Demonstrates willingness to be a team player
- Relates well to all kinds of people, building rapport with diplomacy and tact
- Shows empathy and respect towards the diverse ideas and beliefs of others
Stewardship and Conservation
- Demonstrates good stewardship in use of time, money and materials
- Respects, maintains and optimizes the use of zoo equipment and resources
- Actively participates in conservation efforts, whether internal or external
- Thinks ahead with actions that would affect the proper preservation and protection of animals, plants and natural ecosystems
- Serves as an ambassador for the zoo and its mission
Fun
- Uses humor is a positive and constructive way
- Promotes the organization having a positive, unique and memorable impact on guests and fellow employees
Safety and Security
- Adheres to all safety regulations and policies and maintains a safe and productive workplace for animals, guests and fellow employees
- Reports potentially unsafe conditions
Business Acumen
- Understands business implications of decisions
- Displays orientation to profitability
- Works within approved budget
- Develops and implements cost saving measures
Innovation
- Displays original thinking and creativity
- Meets challenges with resourcefulness
- Generates suggestions for improving work
- Develops innovative approaches and ideas
Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education and/or Experience
- Have or are working towards a bachelor’s degree in education, biology, zoology, environmental science, or a related field from college or university
- One to three years experience working as a classroom teacher, an interpretive educator, or in an early childhood education setting
- Equivalent combination of education and experience is acceptable
- Must be able to work in an active setting and complete assignments that require teamwork and/or self-starting
- Experience working with small invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals preferred
Language Skills
- Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance
instructions and procedure manuals
- Ability to write routine reports and correspondence
- Ability to speak effectively before groups of guests, employees of TZMI, and the
general public
Mathematical Skills
- Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide using whole numbers, common fractions and
decimals
- Ability to perform these operations using units of American money.
Computer Skills
- Microsoft Office – including Word, Excel, PowerPoint (or Prezi),
- Past Perfect (or similar museum database system)
- Internet Browser(s)- Explorer, Chrome, Safari, etc.
Other Skills, Abilities or Qualifications
- Must possess a valid driver’s license and be insurable on TZMI’s insurance carrier.
- Ability to work a flexible schedule including evenings, weekends and holidays
- Must have a valid drivers’ license and be insurable by the insurance carrier
- Familiarity with a variety of teaching methods and knowledge of age-appropriate
cognitive and physical abilities required
- Working knowledge of the natural world preferred
- Research skills are required
- Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
- Ability to work with both adult and teen volunteers
- Proficient in public speaking and creative thinking
- Capable of self-motivating and working without direct supervision
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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
This position involves substantial standing; substantial walking; moderate sitting; substantial reaching with hands and arms; minimal climbing or balancing; substantial stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling; substantial talking or hearing; moderate lifting up to 50 pounds
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Salary : $6 - $10
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