Education Specialist

Detroit Zoological Society; Royal Oak (MI); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The Detroit Zoological Society seeks an Education Specialist to design and deliver engaging, mission-driven educational experiences that connect audiences to wildlife conservation and animal well-being. This role supports youth, families, schools, teachers, adult learners, volunteers, and community groups, ensuring accessible and impactful learning across multiple settings.

Responsibilities include delivering camps and school programs, integrating conservation principles, and contributing to

Qualifications

• Knowledge of K-12 education, adult learning, curriculum implementation, and alignment with applicable educational standards.
• Skill in facilitating engaging, inclusive and learner-centered educational programs for diverse audiences.
• Ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams to support educational programs, events and organizational initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality educational programs for diverse audiences.
• Facilitate camps, early learner programs, overnight experiences, school programs and teacher professional development.
• Create inclusive, engaging and memorable learning experiences using varied instructional techniques.
• Integrate conservation and humane education principles into programming.
• Assist with program development, evaluation and continuous improvement.

Skills

K-12 education

adult learning

curriculum implementation

educational standards

classroom management

relationship building

Education

Associate degree or equivalent

High school diploma + 2 years experience

Job description

The Education Specialist advances the Zoo’s mission by designing and delivering engaging, mission-driven educational experiences that connect diverse audiences to wildlife conservation, environmentalstewardshipand animalwell-being. Working collaboratively across the EducationDepartment, this position supports programming for youth and families, schools and teachers, adult learners,volunteersand community audiences, ensuring learning experiences are accessible,relevantand impactful. Through formal and informal learning experiences, the specialist fosters curiosity,empathyand a sense of responsibility toward all living things. The Education Specialistfacilitatesinteractive programs in a variety of settings, including classrooms, community spaces, digitalplatformsand in the Zoo. By applying best practices in teaching, interpretation and audience engagement, the specialist creates meaningful opportunities for participants to explore,learnandtake action. The specialist also contributes to program development,evaluationand continuous improvement efforts, helping ensure educational experiences are inclusive,joyfuland aligned with the Zoo’s educational and strategic goals.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality educational programs for diverse audiences, including youth, families, schools, teachers, teens, adults, volunteers, graduatestudentsand community groups.
• Facilitate camps, early learner programs, overnight experiences, school programs, teacher professional development,humaneeducation initiatives, adult learning programs, teen leadershipprogramsand visitor learning experiences.
• Create inclusive,engagingand memorable learning experiences using a variety of instructional and interpretive techniques.
• Integrate conservation, environmental stewardship, animalwell-beingand humane education principles into all educational programming.
• Support the implementation of teen volunteer, teen internship, volunteertrainingand graduate education programs through instruction,mentorshipand participant engagement.
• Assistwith the development, preparation,evaluationand continuous improvement of educational programs, curricula,activitiesand instructional materials.
• Facilitate learning experiences that align with state and national academic standards, educational best practices andthe Detroit Zoological Society'smission and goals.
• Maintain positive relationships with program participants, volunteers, communitypartnersand colleagues to support successful program delivery.
• Represent the Detroit Zoological Society at educational programs, outreach events, communityengagementsandspecial events.
• Collect participant feedback and evaluation data and communicate observations to support program assessment and improvement.
• Maintain current knowledge of conservation, animal well-being,humaneeducation, environmental stewardship, educational best practices, safetyproceduresand applicable standards.
• Assistwith programlogistics, preparation of materials and supplies,recordkeepingand participant communications.
• Operate a motor vehicle for programs and events andassistwith special projects and other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Completion of an associate's degree or equivalent certificate program in general science, education, zoology, biology, or other closely related field OR completion of a high school diploma or GED and two years of experience in an informal or formal learning institution.

Minimum of one (1) yearofexperience delivering engaging learning experiences.

• Knowledge of K-12 education, adult learning, curriculum implementation, and alignment with applicable educational standards.
• Skill infacilitatingengaging,inclusiveand learner-centered educational programs for diverse audiences, including youth, families, schools, teachers, teens, adults, volunteers, graduatestudentsand community groups.
• Skill in applying a variety of instructional, interpretive and classroom management techniques to support meaningful learning experiences.
• Skill in building positive relationships with participants, volunteers, educators, communitypartnersand colleagues.
• Ability to integrate conservation, environmental stewardship, animalwell-beingand humaneeducation concepts into educational experiences.
• Ability to organize materials, manage programlogistics, and balance multiple priorities whilemaintainingattention to detail.
• Ability to collect and document participant feedback, support program evaluation efforts, and contribute to continuous improvement.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams to support educational programs,specialeventsand organizational initiatives.
• Ability torepresentthe Detroit Zoological Society professionally and positively in educational, community and public settings.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings, weekends and holidays as needed, andoperatea motor vehicle for programs and events.

Working Conditions

This position requires the ability to perform moderate physical efforton a daily basis, such as walking, bending, stooping, lifting, and standing for extended periods, as well as the use of acomputer and telephone. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Physical Requirements

Regular workschedulewill include weekends,eveningsand early mornings. The position may require overnight businesstravel. The work environment is generally comfortable and some work is indoors although the position may require work outdoors with exposure to seasonal weather conditions for programs,special events, tours, or other activities.

Just as we value and celebrate biodiversity, the DZS celebrates the diversity of our human community. We are committed to ensuring that our programs and facilities are fully accessible to create a welcoming and inclusive workplace for all.