Wildlife Educator

Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA; Saratoga (CA); On-site; USD 41,000 - 47,000; Part time

Job summary

Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA is seeking a Wildlife Educator to design and deliver engaging programs at the Wildlife Care Center in Saratoga. The role emphasizes humane education, community outreach, and collaboration with the Education Supervisor to ensure accurate, effective content.

Responsibilities include leading K–12 and community presentations, updating curricula, and supervising seasonal camp staff.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of animal care, welfare, and species mentioned.
• Experience working with youth and diverse audiences preferred.
• Ability to manage a classroom and engage students effectively.

Responsibilities

• Schedule and deliver educational programs for K–12 students and community groups.
• Maintain and update youth education curricula, lesson plans, and materials.
• Develop new programs and supporting materials as time allows.
• Lead tours of the Interpretive Learning Path at the Saratoga shelter.
• Supervise seasonal camp staff and coordinate with other departments.
• Track participation and program metrics; manage supplies and expenses.
• Train and supervise Wildlife Education volunteers; respond empathetically to sensitive topics.
• Stay informed about humane education practices through ongoing development.

Skills

Animal care knowledge

Animal handling

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in education or related field

Teaching credential preferred

Job description

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt, Non-Union, Part-Time (20 hrs/wk)

Salary: $30 - $34 per hour (depending on experience)

Summary

The Wildlife Educator is based primarily at our Wildlife Care Center in Saratoga and designs and delivers educational programs that engage the community, build understanding of native plants and wildlife, and encourage responsible, compassionate interactions with wildlife and respect for native plants. The Educator carries out this work under the supervision of the Education Supervisor, who reviews program content for accuracy and consistency with PHS/SPCA standards and evaluates program effectiveness.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Schedule and deliver presentations on native plants, wildlife rehabilitation, and conservation for K–12 students at Santa Clara County schools, community youth groups, and the general public.
• Maintain and update existing youth education programs, curriculum, lesson plans, and educational materials about respectful interactions with wildlife, the role of native plants and habitats in supporting wildlife, and wildlife rehabilitation and release.
• Develop new programs, projects, and supporting materials as priorities and available work time allow.
• Lead educational tours of the Interpretive Learning Path at the Saratoga shelter.
• Assist the Education Supervisor with Summer Animal Camp and Winter Animal Camp at the Burlingame shelter.
• Research local summer camps, contact them to identify presentation opportunities, and coordinate with participating camps to prepare for and deliver presentations.
• Collaborate with other departments as needed to support educational programming.
• Hire, train, and manage seasonal camp counselors.
• Collaborate with other departments to enrich educational program content.
• Track participation and other program metrics and share this information with the Education Supervisor.
• Purchase supplies and monitor expenses for assigned programs.
• Train, schedule, and supervise Wildlife Education volunteers.
• Respond with empathy when sensitive topics arise.
• Keep informed about current humane education practices through occasional networking and professional development, as time allows.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Directly supervises Wildlife Education volunteers. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include recruiting, interviewing, and training volunteers; scheduling shifts; assigning and directing tasks; appraising volunteer performance; recognizing and addressing performance concerns; and resolving conflicts.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Good working knowledge of animal breeds, nutrition, general care, training, and related information. Knowledge, appreciation, and respect for animals, including birds, reptiles, rodents, and small animals. Ability to work with and handle animals. Highly motivated toward the welfare and humane treatment of all animals. Upon hire, will need to pass a background check. Must be available to work irregular hours, shifts, weekends, and holidays.

Education and/or Experience

Bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university or equivalent combination of education and related work experience. Experience in education, teaching, or similar field. Broad knowledge of animal care and welfare issues. Work experience with youth and the skill to manage a classroom. Work or volunteer experience with diverse audiences preferred.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

Teaching credential preferred. Completion of Pediatric First Aid & CPR or ability to take course. Possess a valid California driver's license with clean driving record, to be insured by PHS insurance, and access to personal transportation.

Language Skills

Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, volunteers, and other employees of the organization. Good oral and written communication skills.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.

Computer Skills

Working knowledge of database software, proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and Google Suite and computer keyboarding skills (data entry).

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands and fingers to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear and taste or smell. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Majority of this position is in an office setting along with engaging the community at offsite events. May be exposed to zoonotic diseases and outside weather conditions. On occasion will be visiting other PHS locations. This position has flexible start times, as approved by the manager.