Interpretive Specialist

Houston Zoo; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Houston Zoo is seeking Interpretive Specialists to create engaging, educational experiences that inspire guests to care about wildlife and take action to save it. You will deliver ambassador animal presentations, develop age-appropriate programs, and collaborate with teams to align content with conservation goals.

Role requires a BA/BS and at least 2 years of relevant experience, plus strong oral and written communication, facilitation, and teamwork skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) from four-year college or university; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Two (2) years relevant work experience.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and facilitation skills.
• Ability to partner across teams and with all levels of staff.

Responsibilities

• Engages guests through informal conversations, planned interactive programs, and ambassador animal presentations to create positive, mission-driven Zoo experiences.
• Confidently and safely handles ambassador animals, including reptiles, birds, small mammals, invertebrates, and others, prioritizing animal welfare.
• Supports the daily scheduling, setup, delivery, and recovery of interpretive programs.
• Collaborates with teams across the Zoo to align content with conservation goals and guest engagement strategies.
• Develops and delivers age-appropriate interpretive programs for multi-generational audiences.
• Assists with evaluating interpretive curricula for effectiveness and alignment with the Zoo's mission.
• Maintains facilities, tools, materials, and props for on and off-site programs.
• Assists with animal handling training for staff, teens, and volunteers.
• Works within the assigned budget to provide input on resource needs for interpretive programming.
• Attends department and divisional meetings and Zoo committees.

Skills

Oral communication

Written communication

Interpersonal skills

Facilitation

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree (BA/BS)

Job description

Interpretive Specialists create and deliver meaningful, educational experiences that inspire guests to care about wildlife and take action to save them. This role fosters empathetic connections with animals in our care, facilitates wildlife-saving actions, and contributes to positive animal welfare perceptions. Through storytelling, spontaneous guest interactions, animal ambassador presentations, Wildlife Workshop activities, and scheduled programs, both on and off campus, Interpretive Specialists support the Zoo’s mission by building connections between people and animals and facilitating action to save wildlife. Our Mission:Houston Zoo connects communities with animals, inspiring action to save wildlife. Our Vision:Houston Zoo will be a leader in the global movement to save wildlife. Job Duties and Responsibilities

Engages guests through informal conversations, planned interactive programs, and ambassador animal presentations to create positive, mission-driven Zoo experiences.Confidently and safely handles ambassador animals, including reptiles, birds, small mammals, invertebrates, and others, using appropriate techniques that prioritize exemplary animal care and welfare.

Supports the daily scheduling, setup, delivery, and recovery of interpretive programs in a timely and consistent manner.

Collaborates with teams across the Zoo to ensure interpretive content aligns with wildlife-saving goals, Take Action initiatives, Zoo-wide interpretive plan, and guest engagement strategies. Develops and delivers age-appropriate interpretive programs for multi-generational audiences ranging from preschoolers through senior adults, highlighting the Zoo's conservation messages, natural history, and individual animals' stories.Assists with evaluating and refining interpretive curricula for effectiveness, accuracy, and alignment with the Zoo's mission and educational philosophy. Helps to maintain facilities, tools, materials, and props used for both on and off-site programs.Supports pre-scheduled education community conservation programs, including field-based wildlife habitat restoration events.Assists with animal handling training for staff, teens, and volunteers.Works within the assigned budget to provide input on resource needs for interpretive programming.Attends and actively participates in department and divisional meetings and Zoo committees.

Contributes to saving animals in the wild through reduction of waste, water and energy use andinspiring guests and staff to take wildlife protecting actions.

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) from four-year college or university; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Two (2) years relevant work experience Ability to work independently with minimal supervision. Excellent oral and written communication skills Strong interpersonal and facilitation skills Ability to partner across teams and with all levels of staff.

About Houston Zoo

About Houston ZooHouston Zoo is made up of many moving parts with over 6,000 permanent residents (our animals) for whom we provide housing, meals, medical care and, yes, even education! There are over 2 million guests each year who come to experience our incredible variety of animals and ecosystems, as well as attend special private and public events and entertainment. Our dedicated staff works around the clock to ensure that the Zoo is always running smoothly for the safety and well-being of our residents and guests. We strive to ensure the protection of all the counterparts of the animals we have at the Zoo and in the wild. Join Houston Zoo and become a part of an organization that is focused on the preservation of wildlife and their habitats by combining conservation with education and promotion of sustainable livelihoods in the local communities. Houston Zoo is an Equal Opportunity Employer.