Education Program

Conservators Center, INC.; United States; On-site; USD 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Subsidized shared housing opportunities

First aid and CPR training offered onsite

Job summary

Conservators Center, INC. is seeking a dynamic individual to coordinate conservation education programs. The role includes scheduling programs and delivering education to various audiences while ensuring animal welfare. Responsibilities involve leading educational tours, outreach, and developing new programs. Ideal candidates should have strong public speaking skills and relevant educational background. The position requires a flexible schedule and may involve working outdoors in varying weather conditions.

Qualifications

• Strong critical and organizational thinking, time management, and decision-making skills.
• Experience speaking to the public about wildlife and conservation.
• Ability to adapt programs as needed based on audience behaviors and feedback.
• Handling experience with wild animals is required.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates private tours, field trips, and other group tours.
• Delivers educational programs for both on and offsite presentations.
• Participates in community outreach events as needed.
• Monitors program participants and onsite guests.

Skills

Critical and organizational thinking

Time management

Public speaking about wildlife

Excellent customer service

Communication skills

Ability to drive a van

Education

College degree or two years of relevant experience

Background in environmental education

Job description

This position requires a dynamic employee who can independently provide conservation education programs. This person will assist in scheduling programs and coordinating coverage for all educational activities, including weekday field trips and private tours. Responsibilities are focused around educational programs and ambassador animal care, handling, and training. The educational aspect of the position involves promoting, scheduling, and delivering programs in schools and in the community, supporting special events, supporting the tour program as a guide when needed, and collaborating on the development of new programs and materials. The animal handling and training portion of this position involves working with existing ambassadors to continue or initiate training plans, carry them out, and ensure animal welfare is a primary focus during the delivery of educational programs, many of which will take place offsite. The ideal candidate will thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced environment and have a passion for education, conservation, and animal welfare.

RESPONSIBILITIES & ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Coordinates private tours, field trips, birthday parties, and other weekday group tours
• Delivers educational programs, including tours, for both on and offsite presentations and encounters
• Participates in community outreach and tabling events as needed
• Leads in-program promotion to raise awareness of the Animal Park in the community
• Distributes curriculum materials to educators and works with groups to meet specific educational goals and needs
• Supports and collaborates closely with staff who train and schedule weekend tour guides, plus all trained tour guides and those who support daily park operations
• Participates in collaborations with other staff members and volunteers to develop and implement new programs and educational events
• Helps train other select individuals on proper handling and presentation techniques with animal ambassadors
• Establishes and maintains an organized inventory of program and biofact materials
• Monitors program participants and onsite guests, enforcing rules when needed and providing educational information in a friendly manner
• Assists in running the visitor services desk when needed
• Helps maintain and follow contingency plans as needed
• Performs additional tasks as requested by management

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong critical and organizational thinking, time management, and decision-making skills
• A proactive mindset with attention to detail, creative problem-solving, and strong follow-through on commitments
• Experience speaking to the public about wildlife and conservation
• Ability to speak to groups of people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities, sometimes in large group settings
• Ability to adapt programs as needed based on audience behaviors and feedback
• Ability to provide supervisory monitoring of those attending programs
• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills, including prompt replies to queries from volunteers and public
• Exceptional telephone and email etiquette
• Excellent communication skills (written and oral)
• Ability to receive constructive criticism and take corrective action
• Ability to learn new computer programs/apps quickly
• Ability to drive (or learn to drive) a large extended-height van

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• College degree, associates degree, or at least two years of relevant experience providing programs with animals (college students with related experience/skill set may also apply)
• Background knowledge of environmental education or biological or animal sciences sufficient to support educational program development and delivery
• Work experience in facilitating educational programs is preferred
• Handling/husbandry experience with wild animals is required
• Experience training and supervising others is desirable

LICENSURE, CERTIFICATION, & REGISTRATION

• Valid Driver’s License and reliable transportation
• First aid and CPR current certification required; training offered onsite

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Requires working most weekends and planned weekdays
• Requires limited accessibility on days off to manage program scheduling needs
• Adaptability to handle changing schedules and fill in as needed on occasion, including providing staffing assistance for any significant contingencies
• Requires prolonged standing or sitting, significant walking, and some bending, stooping, and stretching
• Requires lifting up to 50 pounds occasionally
• Rural location requires reliable transportation and the ability to drive after dark
• On occasion, requires working outdoors in most weather conditions, including in temperatures from 0 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Any remote work for scheduling programs requires access to a computer, secure high-speed Internet connection, and phone

COMPENSATION

• The pay for this position is commensurate with experience
• Subsidized shared housing opportunities may be available during relocation