Interpretive Manager

Socket.dev; Kansas; On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Sedgwick County Zoo is seeking a qualified education supervisor to hire, supervise, and train part-time staff and volunteers, ensuring high-quality interpretive programs. You will manage animal care procedures, collaborate with veterinarians, and develop creative educational experiences for guests across special events and animal days.

The role requires leadership, a relevant science degree, and certification in interpretive guidance within 12 months.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field is required.
• Minimum two years of interpretive or education experience.
• Valid US driver's license without restrictions.
• Certification as CIG and CIHT within first 12 months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Hire, supervise, and evaluate part-time staff with support from a supervisor.
• Set goals for staff and oversee scheduling and duties.
• Budget, monitor, and procure area supplies and resources.
• Train and mentor staff and volunteers in interpretive techniques.
• Oversee animal well-being, health observations, and daily care.

Skills

Staff supervision

Customer service

Interpersonal communication

Training & mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in Biology/Zoology/Education/Park Resource Management/Environmental Resources/Wildlife Management

Master's degree in Biology/Zoology/Environmental Resources/Wildlife Management

Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG)

Certified Interpretive Host Trainer (CIHT)

Job description

Job Summary

Hires, supervises, and trains various education staff. Serves as interpretive liaison with all departments. Works with staff and volunteers to ensure they are familiar with interpretive techniques. Manages care of ambassador animal collection. Works closely with direct reports to develop creative educational experiences at special events and animal days. Models exceptional interpretive techniques while interacting and providing customer service to all Zoo-defined customers. This position participates in a mandatory on-call rotation.

Primary Job Functions

• Hire, supervise, and evaluate performance of part-time staff with the assistance of the Interpretive Supervisor.
• Establish and monitor goals for Interpretive Supervisor and part-time staff.
• Assist with schedules and assign work duties within area.
• Budget, monitor, and acquire area supplies and resources.
• Train and mentor staff, recognize performance deficiencies, and take corrective action when needed.
• Train and mentor interpretive volunteers.

Animal Well-being, Care, and Management

• Ensure animals are housed and cared for in ways that meet all Zoo-defined goals.
• Handle animals for husbandry needs, medical purposes, and in preparation for transport.
• Create and maintain standard operating procedures for animal handling and daily care, including all necessary documentation.
• Observe and monitor the health of the Education Animal Ambassador population.
• Maintain a current understanding of animal natural history and terminology. Interpret animal behavior and recognize abnormalities and potential medical conditions. Under the direction of veterinarians and/or curator, administer medications or treatments as needed.
• Communicate observations of animal behavior and health condition to the veterinary department and/or curators.
• Liaison between curator and staff on animal needs or concerns.
• Ensure regular and timely recording of animal behavior observations, training and enrichment activities, and animal health conditions.
• Maintain a comprehensive understanding of AZA Accreditation Standards, as they pertain to all job duties.
• Participate in animal well-being assessment activities.
• Safely work with and around delicate and potentially dangerous animals.
• Handle animals in front of diverse audiences.
• Drive Zoological Society-owned vehicles, as needed, to care for or transfer animals to other zoological facilities. Animal transfer trips may occasionally require overnight travel.
• Complete required training and safely operate all zoo-required equipment for completion of job duties. Equipment includes all Zoological Society-owned and operated vehicles for this driving level position.

Enhancement of Guest Experiences

• Create or facilitate staff training to enhance guest experiences through positive interpretive interactions, good customer service, and promotion of sound zoological principles.
• Create on-site interpretive experiences that promote the Zoo's mission.
• Create and facilitate evaluations and collect data to measure interpretive impact and effectiveness.
• Participate in an on-call rotation during emergency situations.

Secondary Job Functions

• Communicate with professional colleagues when needed, to further the goals of the area.
• Assist and collaborate with other Zoo areas and departments to achieve common goals.
• Assist in ensuring Zoo guests have a safe and enjoyable visit. Interact and participate in guest encounters, public relations, and educational programming, in both formal and informal settings
• Assist with area maintenance and upkeep.
• Represent the Zoo and/or Sedgwick County at various off-site events such as regional, national, and international conferences, meetings, community events, outreach programs, etc.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in Biology, Zoology, Education, Park Resource Management, Environmental Resources, Wildlife Management, or a related field.
• Two years of experience in an interpretive or education field.
• Valid US Driver's License without restrictions.
• Must have or obtain certification as a Certified Interpretive Guide and Certified Interpretive Host Trainer with National Association for Interpretation within the first 12 months of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Biology, Zoology, Environmental Resources, Wildlife Management, or a related field.
• Three years of experience in an interpretive or education field at an AZA Facility.
• Certification as a Certified Interpretive Guide Trainer with National Association for Interpretation.

Working Environment

The employee is subject to activities that occur in both inside and outside environmental conditions. The employee is subject to any potential hazards of working in a zoo, including zoonotic diseases, animal-related sounds, odors, and allergens. The employee is subject to potential hazards of working with and near dangerous animals. Employee must be able to work a schedule that may involve working weekends, holidays, or after regular work shifts. Employee must participate in a mandatory on-call rotation, including call-backs.

Physical Requirements

This position may require lifting objects weighing up to 50 pounds, exerting up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. The role requires the ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods—sometimes over uneven terrain and in varying weather conditions and to perform repetitive tasks with limited breaks in both indoor and outdoor zoo environments. The employee must have close visual acuity to perform activities such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing information, viewing a computer terminal, extensive reading, visual inspection involving animals and their exhibits using measurement devices; and/or assembly or fabrication of exhibits. The employee is required to have visual acuity to accurately determine the health of animals and the security of their exhibits, to record animal behavior, or to make general observations. The worker is required to have visual acuity to perform activities such as operating machinery.

Direct Reports

Up to 60 part-time staff serving in a variety of educational roles and one full-time interpretive supervisor. Serves as department manager in the curator's absence.

Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, and responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may be changed at any time with or without notice