INSTRUCTOR I

Phoenix Zoo | Arizona Center for Nature Conservation; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 25,000 - 32,000; Part time

Job summary

Phoenix Zoo in Phoenix, AZ, invites applications for an Instructor I in the Learning and Engagement department. This role educates diverse groups through camps, presentations, and curriculum-based activities, with opportunities to handle ambassador animals during camp programs.

The position requires availability for night camps, summer camps, and school-holiday weeks, plus mandatory meetings and trainings. Prior experience with children in educational settings is preferred.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent (from requirements).
• Excellent public speaking and presentation skills (preferred).
• Ability to work flexible schedule including overnights, evenings, weekends, holidays.
• Interest in learning, understanding, and communicating science and conservation messages.

Responsibilities

• Provide quality guest service to all Zoo guests by maintaining a WILD (friendly, helpful, positive, and professional) attitude and appearance.
• Present and facilitate scheduled programs about the natural world utilizing animals, plants, media or props.
• Follow an established curriculum and schedule to provide high-quality guest experiences for audiences of all ages.
• Serve food to program guests in camps.
• Attend scheduled meetings and trainings for department members.
• Check e-mail at least once a week and respond timely.
• As an optional responsibility, certify on presentation protocol for Level I animal handling.
• Assist program supervisors and the Learning and Engagement Manager in development of education programs.

Skills

Public speaking

Communication

Time management

Customer service

Teamwork

Flexibility

Adaptability

Job description

• Location 455 N GALVIN PKWY,Phoenix, AZ, 85008-3431,United States
• Base Pay $19.50 / Hour
• Employee Type Part Time

Job Title: Instructor I

Department: Learning and Engagement

Supervisor: Supervisor of Night Camp

Pay: $19.50/hour

General Statement:

The Instructor I is an educator for the Arizona Center for Nature Conservation (ACNC) and the Phoenix Zoo. This position assists in the presentation and facilitation of education programs about the natural world to groups of people of all ages. Most of these programs will be Night Camps (October-May) and Day Camps (both summer and seasonal), but this position may also be asked to assist with Zoo events on or off Zoo grounds. The Instructor I is given the option to participate in Level I animal handling which consists of presenting a limited number of ambassador animals during camp programs only. These are animals that are safe and appropriate to bring to camp programs, such as turtles, lizards, insects, and some small mammals.

Instructor I must have availability for:

1. Nighttime and overnight shifts during the Night Camp season (October-May).

2. Some daytime shifts during the Summer Camp Zoo season (June-July) and/or Seasonal Camp Zoo weeks (school holidays).

3. All mandatory meetings and trainings.

1. Provide quality guest service to all Zoo guests by maintaining a WILD (friendly, helpful, positive, and professional) working attitude and appearance.

2. Present and facilitate scheduled programs about the natural world utilizing a variety of animals, plants and media or other props.

3. Follow an established curriculum and schedule in order to provide high quality guest experiences to audiences of all ages and sizes.

4. Serve food to program guests in camps.

5. Attend scheduled meetings and training for all department team members to become familiar with experiences, logistics and responsibilities.

6. Check e-mail at least once a week and respond in a timely manner when appropriate.

7. As an optional responsibility, certify on presentation protocol for Level I animal handling in order to present live ambassador animals during camp programs.

8. As a secondary responsibility, assist Program Supervisors and the Formal Learning & Engagement Manager as needed in the development of education programs.

This is by no means an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, or working conditions associated with the job. Management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed when circumstances change (e.g. emergencies, changes in personnel, workload, rush jobs, or technological developments.)

Requirements

Qualifications

1. High School diploma or equivalent.

2. Friendly, responsible, and enthusiastic.

3. Maintains a positive and respectful attitude with guests and teammates.

4. Good listening skills and open to giving/receiving feedback to help the team grow.

5. Can effectively and respectfully communicate with a diverse audience and teammates (including all age levels, cultures, neurodiversity, and level of abilities).

6. Ability to work a flexible schedule including overnights, evenings, weekdays, weekends, and holidays.

7. Excellent time management and guest service skills.

8. Ability to work independently and in a team environment.

9. Interest in learning, understanding, and communicating science and conservation concepts and messages to Zoo guests.

10. Able to give and receive constructive feedback with a growth mindset and solution-oriented approach.

11. Experience working with children in an educational setting (formal or informal) preferred.

12. Experience working in a camp setting or zoo/aquarium setting preferred.

13. Excellent public speaking and presentation skills preferred.

14. Ability to evaluate an audience and tailor the program to provide information and entertainment at an appropriate level preferred.

15. Existing knowledge about education, geology, ecology, conservation and/or biology preferred.

16. Ability to perform all duties in an outdoor environment even during extremes of weather.

17. Ability to lift up to 30 pounds; regularly bend, crouch, and kneel; stand and walk for extended periods of time; work in both indoor and outdoor environments in extreme weather conditions.

18. Possession of valid driver’s license.

19. Ability to pass pre-employment background check, drug test, DMV check, clear annual TB test, and obtain a Food Handler’s License within 1 month of hire date.