Live Interpretation Coordinator, Bronx Zoo

Wildlife Conservation Society; New York (NY); On-site; USD 30,000 - 41,000; Part time

Job summary

Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo is seeking a part-time Live Interpretation Coordinator in the Education Department. The in-person role reports to the BZ Manager of Live Interpretation and supports staff, volunteers, and performers to engage visitors through interpretive programs.

You will supervise operations, organize tours, assist with Wildlife Theater, manage supplies, collect metrics, and help train volunteers, all while maintaining a safe, fun learning environment for guests

Qualifications

• BS/BA degree in biology, environmental science, conservation, education, or a related field.
• Experience in interpretation at a zoo, museum, park, or other related setting.
• Experience recruiting, training, performance evaluation, and continuing education with staff and/or volunteers.
• Experience cultivating and working with diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Provide administrative and logistical support for the BZ Live Interpretive team including record keeping, timesheet collection, staff/volunteer scheduling, tour bookings, and maintaining organized storage and staff areas.
• Supervise interpretative staff and volunteer daily operations.
• Help develop and coordinate volunteer-led tours for school groups and other activities; lead occasional tours for school visitors and other groups.
• Support planning, production, and supervision of seasonal Wildlife Theater programming.
• Assemble, troubleshoot, and maintain supplies and equipment used for shows and interpretive activities.
• Support collection and dissemination of metrics using databases and spreadsheets.

Skills

Interpretation experience

Staff training

Diverse audiences

Relationship building

Driver's license

Education

BS/BA in biology or related field

Job description

Job Description

About Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)

WCS stands for wildlife and wild places. As the world’s premier wildlife conservation organization, WCS has a long track record of achieving innovative, impactful results at scale. We run field programs spanning 60 countries and the entire ocean. We build on a unique foundation: Our reach is global; we discover through best-in-class science; we protect through work on the ground with local and indigenous people; we inspire through our world-class zoos, aquarium, and education programs; and we leverage our resources through partnerships and powerful policy influence. Our more than 4,000 diverse, passionately committed team members in New York City and around the world work collectively to achieve our conservation mission.

Job Description

About Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)

WCS stands for wildlife and wild places. As the world’s premier wildlife conservation organization, WCS has a long track record of achieving innovative, impactful results at scale. We run field programs spanning 60 countries and the entire ocean. We build on a unique foundation: Our reach is global; we discover through best-in-class science; we protect through work on the ground with local and indigenous people; we inspire through our world-class zoos, aquarium, and education programs; and we leverage our resources through partnerships and powerful policy influence. Our more than 4,000 diverse, passionately committed team members in New York City and around the world work collectively to achieve our conservation mission.

Job Description

Position: Bronx Zoo Live Interpretation Coordinator

Reports to: BZ Manager of Live Interpretation

Positions managed: Visitor Engagement Associates, Wildlife Theater Performers,
Adult Volunteers

Location: BZ, in-person

Department: Education

Position Type: Part-time, Days vary throughout the year. Weekend, evening, and holiday work required.

o Busy Season - April-December: 5 days a week; Thursday-Monday Must be able to work Saturday & Sundays, holidays, and various morning and/or evening events as needed. Must be available in the evenings for seasonal events (October-January)

o Winter Season - January-March: Approximately 2-4 days per week, with some flexibility in which days are worked.

Salary: $26/hour

Job Summary

The Coordinator of Live Interpretation is a position that will provide programmatic, administrative, and operational support to the Live Interoperation program at the Bronx Zoo, which facilitates visitor engagement utilizing paid staff interprets, volunteer interpreters, and performers. You will be a valued member of the Live Interpretation team along with the Manager of Live Interpretation, Youth Development Coordinator, and Asst. Director of Live Interpretation, which is nestled in the Education Department. This is a great opportunity for those interested in supporting staff and volunteers involved in conservation education utilizing interpretive techniques and theatrical arts.

Major Responsibilities

The Live Interpretation Coordinator's main responsibility is to ensure adult volunteers, engagement staff, and performers have the tools needed to facilitate educational programming for Bronx Zoo visitors.

Responsibilities Include

• Provide administrative and logistical support for the BZ Live Interpretive team including record keeping, assisting with timesheet collection, staff/volunteer scheduling, facilitating tour bookings, and maintaining organized and clean storage and staff areas.
• Supervise interpretative staff and volunteer daily operations.
• Help develop, coordinate, and provide logistical support for volunteer led tours for school groups and other volunteer activities. Lead occasional tours for school visitors and other groups.
• Support the planning, production, and supervision of seasonal Wildlife Theater programming.
• Assemble, troubleshoot, and maintain supplies and equipment used for shows and interpretive activities.
• Support collection and dissemination of metrics utilizing databases, spreadsheets, and other types of data software.
• Assist Manager of Live Interpretation with development and facilitation of training for engagement staff and volunteers.
• Maintain positive relationships with stakeholders in departments around the park and education staff in various areas of the Education Department.
• Support a safe, fun, and lively learning environment for all visitors and staff.

Job Qualifications

• BS/BA degree in biology, environmental science, conservation, education, or a related field
• Experience in interpretation at a zoo, museum, park, or other related setting
• Experience with recruiting, training, performance evaluation, and continuing education with staff and/or volunteers
• Experience cultivating and working with diverse audiences
• Valid driver's license
• Experience in interpretive and/or theater program development, implementation, and evaluation
• Demonstrated ability to develop and foster strong internal and external relationships

Physical Demands

• The physical demands include but are not limited to the use of a Keyboard, 10-key, Mouse, and Telephone Use, Handwriting, Sitting, Standing, Crouching, Kneeling, Bending, Walking, Stair Climbing, minimal Driving, and Lifting up to 50lbs.

Equal Employment Opportunity Disclaimer

WCS is an equal opportunity employer, and the organization complies with all employment and labor laws and regulations that prohibit discrimination in hiring and ensures that candidates from all backgrounds are fairly and consistently considered during the recruitment process. We are dedicated to hiring and engaging in a diverse workforce. We are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment and looking for future team members who share that same value. The organization provides equal employment opportunities for all qualified candidates. The organization does not discriminate for employment based on gender, race/ethnicity, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, caste, genetic information or any other covered status or characteristic protected by laws and regulations/and similar categories.

It is everyone’s responsibility to ensure that we do not tolerate discrimination or harassment based upon a person’s membership in one of these protected categories in areas such as recruitment, selection, job assignment, supervision, training, promotions, promotions, job grading, transfers, termination, compensation, benefits, educational opportunities, WCS sponsored recreational activities and facilities. The organization complies with the spirit and intent of relevant local laws and WCS’s employment policies.

Note that the salary offer will reflect the selected candidate’s individual experiences, skills and qualifications, internal equity, work location and country of work.

Salary Range

$26.00