Education Specialist

Job DescriptionJob Description
Job Summary: Leads all programs and activities within the education department that include student-oriented programming, interpretive programming, as well as family-oriented programming.

Job Duties/Responsibilities: include the following but others may be assigned.

• Assist in the development, implementation, and scheduling of education programs.
• Lead and teach educational programming, family programming, and summer camp programming in an informal education setting.
• Foster an atmosphere of FUN during all programming
• Communicate with schools and other learning institutions regarding zoo education programs as well as on-site demonstrations and classes.
• Teach a variety of classes/programs to people of all ages. Assist with special events for the public.
• Ensure the wellbeing of all children by following training and protocol measures.
• Handle and ensure the safety of a wide variety of vertebrates and invertebrates including small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, insects, and arachnids.
• Assist in developing part time employees, seasonal employees and/or volunteers.
• Clean, store, and maintain equipment or materials used in the education department.
• Maintain safe work habits and conditions.
• Practice exemplary visitor service
• May be required to work evenings, weekends, nights, and/or holidays.

Job 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.

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Biology, Zoology, Environmental Science, or related is preferred but all degrees will be considered.
• Associates degree or college credit with 1+ years of paid experience in the realm of formal or informal education, child care, university, or camp settings will be considered on a case by case basis.
• Experience working with children required.
• Public speaking experience strongly preferred.
• Must be comfortable working with and around animals.
• Must understand interpretive and informal education.
• Knowledge and proficiency of Windows operating systems, Outlook, and all Microsoft Office applications required.

Language Skills:

• Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.
• Ability to write reports
• Ability to present information to diverse groups of people from all age groups
• Spanish speaking abilities desired but not required.

Mathematical Skills:

• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

Other Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to work and relate to people of all age.
• Very good oral communication skills.
• Ability to work with live animals in a teaching situation.

Reasoning Ability:

• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• Current Texas Driver License

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.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and peripheral vision.

Work Environment:

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance
• Employee Discount at Concessions and Gift Shop
• Employee Free Admission to Park
• Complementary Tickets for Friends / Family

Work Location:

Caldwell Zoo

2203 Martin Luther King Blvd

Tyler, Texas 75702