Guest Engagement Educator (Part Time)

Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium; Kansas City (MO); Sur place; USD 17 000 - 22 000; Temps partiel

Résumé du poste

Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium is seeking a Guest Engagement Educator to deliver educational content to guests at animal encounter opportunities across the Zoo. The role emphasizes inclusive, memorable onsite experiences such as touch pools and animal habitats, with a strong focus on interpretation and guest learning.

The position requires flexible scheduling including weekends, evenings, and holidays, up to 29 hours weekly, and may involve additional duties to support the mission and safety

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Experience in interpretation or informal education welcomed.
• Zoo, aquarium, or museum experience welcomed.
• Strong computer skills with Microsoft Office and AV equipment.
• Strong presentation, verbal, and written communication skills.

Responsabilités

• Engage guests by initiating conversations and educating about animals.
• Adapt interpretation to diverse audiences using inclusive teaching methods.
• Maintain safety and use best judgement during encounters.
• Share information on conservation and sustainability initiatives.
• Support education leadership in program development and resource maintenance.
• Assist in facilitating the Zoo & Aquarium’s mission, strategic plan, and core values.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Connaissances

Guest engagement

Verbal communication

Written communication

Public speaking

Formation

High school diploma or GED

Outils

Microsoft Office

Audio-visual equipment

Description du poste

The Guest Engagement Educator delivers educational content to our guests as they visit animal encounter opportunities throughout the Zoo. This position helps foster an inclusive and welcoming educational environment through various forms of positive, unique, and memorable onsite encounters such as the Aquarium touch pools, goat habitat, giraffe feedings, etc.

This position will work a maximum of 29 hours per week and must be willing to work a flexible schedule that includes weekends, evenings, and holidays.

POSITION DUTIES & ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Duties

Percentage

Guest Engagement and Interpretation

• Enhances the guest experience by initiating conversations, answering questions, and educating about the animals.
• Implements inclusive teaching strategies, modifies interpretation styles, and incorporates learning models to provide a successful learning experience for all audiences.
• Showcases ability to work autonomously by pivoting during animal and guest encounters and using best judgement to make decisions regarding safety.
• Maintains a general understanding of the animal collection, conservation projects and sustainability initiatives to effectively communicate appropriate conservation messaging to audiences.
• Embraces a variety of teaching and learning styles as appropriate for each engagement.
• Maintains a positive disposition and practices active listening during visitor interactions.

95%

Assists education leadership in the development and enhancement of programs, including:

• Resource gathering and maintenance.
• Administrative support.
• Working to consistently improve knowledge of animal welfare, interpretation techniques and science education techniques.
• Assists in facilitating and implementing the Zoo and Aquarium’s mission, strategic plan, and core values.

5%

*This position may at times be requested to perform other duties or special projects as assigned, which are in the best interest of the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium.

*All employees must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily and, upon request, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION & FORMAL TRAINING:

• High school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) certificate

EXPERIENCE

• Previous interpretation or other informal education experience welcomed.
• Previous zoo, aquarium, or museum related experience welcomed.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office and audio-visual equipment.
• Strong presentation, verbal, and written communication skills.

OTHER MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Must have valid driver’s license.
• Can move equipment weighing up to 50 pounds, with or without assistance. Assistance depending upon task.
• Must be willing to become CPR/First-Aid certified.
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule, including weekends, holidays and overnight/evening hours, in all weather extremes.
• Must pass a background and drug screening.

*Please be aware that this position will consistently have exposure to nuts and shellfish.