Part-Time Instructional Specialist, Teaching Zoo (Education and Conservation)

Santa Fe College; Gainesville (FL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Santa Fe College is seeking an energetic Instructional Specialist for Conservation Education in the Zoo Animal Technology program. The Teaching Zoo on the NW Gainesville campus offers an Associate of Science degree and requires students to work as zookeepers in an accredited facility.

The role involves delivering programs to guests and students, creating lesson plans, planning outreach events, and presenting virtually to schools and libraries. Weekend and holiday work may be required.

Qualifications

• AS in Zoo Animal Technology or related degree with at least two years of public presentation experience.
• Background check will be conducted.
• Ability to work weekends, college breaks and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Instruct Zoo Animal Technology students and provide feedback.
• Assist with animal handling and training for educational experiences.
• Present education programs and tabling for off-campus outreaches.
• Deliver virtual presentations to schools, libraries, and care facilities.
• Create lesson plans and activities for educational programs.
• Plan events such as Party for the Planet, Zookeeper Day and World Tree Kangaroo Day.
• Facilitate animal encounters with the public.
• Assist Conservation Education Curator with graphics and interactive displays.
• Maintain operating procedures and share knowledge on standard operations.
• Ensure compliance with FERPA, confidentiality and other regulations.

Skills

Public speaking

Customer service

Communication

Adaptability

Multi-task

Teamwork

Education

AS in Zoo Animal Technology

Related degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Description Summary

The Teaching Zoo at Santa Fe College (SF) is seeking an outgoing,enthusiastic, and energetic Instructional Specialist forConservation Education for the Zoo Animal Technology Program. TheZoo Animal Technology Program is a unique program that offers anAssociate of Science degree and requires students to work asZookeepers in an accredited Zoo, the SF Teaching Zoo, which is onthe grounds of the NW campus. The working environment is dynamicand requires excellent customer service skills to interact withguests, students, and employees in a respectful and positivemanner. This position does require the ability to work on weekenddays, college breaks and holidays.

Job Description

Responsibilities and Duties Include:

• Works closely with students in the Zoo Animal TechnologyProgram and Zoo Education Assistant Work Study by giving thoroughinstructions and thoughtful feedback.
• Works closely with animals in the ambassador program andassisting with maintaining trained behaviors used for educationalexperiences.
• Presents education programs and tabling for off-campusoutreaches at community venues.
• Gives virtual presentations to schools, libraries, assistedliving facilities and more.
• Creates content, such as lesson plans and activities, foreducational programs.
• Assists with planning events such as Party for the Planet,Zookeeper Day and World Tree Kangaroo Day.
• Facilitates animal encounters with the public.
• Assists Conservation Education Curator in creating and buildinggraphics and interactive displays.
• Facilitates birthday parties for the public on weekends, or asneeded.
• Keeps a record of operating procedures and may share positionspecific knowledge, including use of collegewide ERP and relatedsystem processes, by providing guidance on standard operations and established departmental procedures as needed.
• Complies with all published College Rules, procedures,guidelines, and laws/regulations governing public employees,including but not limited to those related to document retentionand destruction, FERPA, and confidentiality.
• Strictly honors the privacy, security, and confidentiality ofrecords and other sensitive information according to appropriatestate, federal, and college regulations, policies, andprocedures.
• Provides service excellence through courteous, informed,accessible, and professional engagement.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

An Associate of Science in Zoo Animal Technologyor a related degree with at least two (2) years of experienceworking in a public presentation setting, school, zoological park,aquarium, museum, or nature preserve and/or a combination ofeducation and/or experience equal to four (4) years.

Additional Requirements

A criminal background check will beconducted.

Preferred

At least two (2) years of animal handling and/oranimal training experience.

General Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to work successfully in a multi-culturalenvironment.
• Adaptability to Change – able to be flexible and supportive,able to positively and proactively assimilate change in rapidgrowth environment.
• Communication – able to effectively communicate in aprofessional, diplomatic, empathetic, and tactful manner usingpreferred method and level as applicable to the job.
• Critical Thinking & Judgement - able to make well-reasoned,sensible, and timely decisions based on careful, objective reviewand informed analysis of available information, considerations, andother factors.
• Customer Service – ability to respond promptly and courteouslyto all questions from students and faculty, demonstrating patienceand persistence when helping students with little or no computerskills.
• Ethics – able to demonstrate integrity, professionalism,civility, and a high degree of ethics in all job-relatedactions.
• Organization & Time Management – able to plan, schedule,and organize tasks related to the job to achieve goals within orahead of established time frames.
• Relationship Management – able to personally provide high levelof interactive service to others, building relationships andaddressing identified needs.
• Results Orientation – proven ability to set and exceedestablished targets.
• Systems & Software - proficient level of knowledge ofMicrosoft Office and/or relevant position software programs.
• Detail Oriented - Proven accuracy and attention todetail.
• Multi-task - Ability to expeditiously organize, coordinate,manage, prioritize, and perform multiple tasks simultaneously toswiftly assess a situation, determine a logical course of action,and apply the appropriate response.

Santa Fe College (SF) is committed to maintaining a work andeducational environment that embraces diversity and where no memberof the college community is excluded from participation in, deniedthe benefits of, or subject to discrimination in any collegeprogram or activity based on: their race, ethnicity, nationalorigin, color, religion, age, disability, sex, pregnancy status,gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, geneticinformation, political opinions or affiliations, or veteran status.This commitment applies to employees, volunteers, students, and, tothe extent possible, to third parties, applicants for admission,applicants for employment, and the general public. sfcollege.edu/eaeo

Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies or concerns aboutdiscrimination or harassment, including concerns about sexualharassment or sexual violence under Title IX, should be directedto: [e-mail]

Santa Fe College reserves the right to extend deadlines and/or notto offer advertised positions. Preference will be given to eligibleveterans and spouses of veterans.