Educator I - Guest Engagement

Association Of Zoos & Aquariums; Chattanooga (TN); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The Educator I – Guest Engagement position at the Tennessee Aquarium aims to connect people with nature and facilitate educational experiences for guests. The role involves engaging with visitors, utilizing effective teaching techniques, and supporting program development while promoting conservation efforts. Candidates should have relevant educational experience and skills in guest interaction, making it a perfect fit for those passionate about informal education and wildlife conservation.

Qualifications

• Minimum of six months' experience in informal or formal education or similar field.
• Experience in environmental education and animal handling preferred.
• Bilingual preferred.

Responsibilities

• Engage with guests during their visit using education and conservation messaging.
• Facilitate various educational programs for visitors of all ages.
• Assist with the development of guest engagement programs.

Skills

Communication

Organizational skills

Guest engagement techniques

Inquiry-based learning

Animal handling

Education

Experience in Environmental Sciences, Biology, Education or a related field

First Aid/CPR Certification

Job description

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Interested in a career in AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums? Learn more about types of zoo and aquarium jobs and relevant education programs in our career center .

Tennessee Aquarium

The Educator I – Guest Engagement position supports the mission of the Tennessee Aquarium to connect people with nature and empower them to make informed decisions about water and wildlife. The Education Department is passionate about lifelong learning, respect for conservation, recognizing the abilities of all people and their experiences, the value of both using and contributing to research about informal education, and a collaborative, learning-based, respectful work environment.

This position will engage with Aquarium guests during their visit while utilizing best practices in education and conservation messaging along with supporting program and evaluation development and implementation.

Key Responsibilities

• Use suitable techniques for guest engagement, including storytelling/interpretation, inquiry based learning, and interactive experiences, while facilitating education programming of different types and for various ages. These duties may include facilitating storytelling/interpretation in galleries, cart programs, tours, and animal encounters.
• Encourage active discovery and spark curiosity for our guests as they visit the Aquarium. Make impromptu changes to programs to meet the needs of various audiences, such as families, adults, or children of different ages and needs.
• Assist with the development, implementation, and evaluation of guest engagement programs.
• Follow all protocols related to ambassador animal handling along with obtaining and maintaining certifications.
• Assist and support any engagement and interpretation-based needs including trainings, orientations, program support.
• Actively participate in Education Department meetings, professional learning, events, and special projects, when applicable.
• Take part in professional learning experiences in order to grow and use best practices with guests and in animal handling.
• Establish strong cross-departmental relationships to collaboratively develop and facilitate engaging educational experiences, such as awareness days and Deeper Dives experiences which provide guests with extraordinary opportunities unique to the Tennessee Aquarium.
• Ability and willingness to assist with any programming needs of the Education Department.

Key Requirements

• Minimum of six months' experience in informal or formal education or similar field
• Experience in using inquiry, the practices of science, best practices in environmental education preferred
• Environmental storytelling/interpretation experience preferred.
• Animal handling experience preferred
• Experience or coursework in Environmental Sciences, Biology, Education or a related field preferred.
• First Aid/CPR Certification preferred
• Comfort with learning to handle a variety of Ambassador and exhibit animals, including invertebrates, fish, reptiles, amphibians, small birds, and small mammals
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with other team members and departments
• Excellent communication and organizational skills
• Innovative, curious, growth mindset, and team player

Full-time, hourly ($17.00 - $17.50/hour, commensurate on experience); Tuesday through Saturday; Evenings, weekends, and holidays required as needed.

All submissions must be received byJune 30, 2025.

Tennessee Aquarium

Educator I - Guest Engagement

The Educator I – Guest Engagement position supports the mission of the Tennessee Aquarium to connect people with nature and empower them to make informed decisions about water and wildlife. The Education Department is passionate about lifelong learning, respect for conservation, recognizing the abilities of all people and their experiences, the value of both using and contributing to research about informal education, and a collaborative, learning-based, respectful work environment.

This position will engage with Aquarium guests during their visit while utilizing best practices in education and conservation messaging along with supporting program and evaluation development and implementation.

Key Responsibilities

Use suitable techniques for guest engagement, including storytelling/interpretation, inquiry based learning, and interactive experiences, while facilitating education programming of different types and for various ages. These duties may include facilitating storytelling/interpretation in galleries, cart programs, tours, and animal encounters.

Encourage active discovery and spark curiosity for our guests as they visit the Aquarium. Make impromptu changes to programs to meet the needs of various audiences, such as families, adults, or children of different ages and needs.

Assist with the development, implementation, and evaluation of guest engagement programs.

Follow all protocols related to ambassador animal handling along with obtaining and maintaining certifications.

Assist and support any engagement and interpretation-based needs including trainings, orientations, program support.

Actively participate in Education Department meetings, professional learning, events, and special projects, when applicable.

Take part in professional learning experiences in order to grow and use best practices with guests and in animal handling.

Establish strong cross-departmental relationships to collaboratively develop and facilitate engaging educational experiences, such as awareness days and Deeper Dives experiences which provide guests with extraordinary opportunities unique to the Tennessee Aquarium.

Ability and willingness to assist with any programming needs of the Education Department.

Key Requirements

• Minimum of six months' experience in informal or formal education or similar field
• Experience in using inquiry, the practices of science, best practices in environmental education preferred
• Environmental storytelling/interpretation experience preferred.
• Animal handling experience preferred
• Experience or coursework in Environmental Sciences, Biology, Education or a related field preferred.
• First Aid/CPR Certification preferred
• Comfort with learning to handle a variety of Ambassador and exhibit animals, including invertebrates, fish, reptiles, amphibians, small birds, and small mammals
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with other team members and departments
• Excellent communication and organizational skills
• Innovative, curious, growth mindset, and team player
• Bilingual preferred

Full-time, hourly ($17.00 - $17.50/hour, commensurate on experience); Tuesday through Saturday; Evenings, weekends, and holidays required as needed.

All submissions must be received byJune 30, 2025.

For more information, or to apply now, you must go to the website below. Please DO NOT email your resume to us as we only accept applications through our website.

https://tnaqua.applicantpro.com/jobs/3780365-162629.html

Salary

17 - 17.50/hour

How to Apply

For more information, or to apply now, you must go to the website below. Please DO NOT email your resume to us as we only accept applications through our website.

https://tnaqua.applicantpro.com/jobs/3780365-162629.html

Tennessee Aquarium
1 Broad St
Chattanooga, TN 37402

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