Educator

Topeka ZooEducatorPosition Mission: This position supports the organization by ensuring quality, fun and educational programming in line with our Mission and Sustainability goals. You bring significant value through your messaging and passion to enrich the community through wildlife conservation and education, influencing change. You contribute to the bottom line by delivering quality experiences that increase our guest visits.Essential Functions: Responsible for education programming, including the development of the live animal programs, as well as conducting and evaluating them. These programs include on- and off-grounds classes, birthday parties, and adventure camps. Class audiences include the public, school groups, libraries, senior living centers, preschools/daycares, businesses, scout groups, groups with special needs, homeschool groups, and others.Core Responsibilities:* Curriculum Development & Program Design:Assist the Education Director in developing and writing engaging, informative, and age-appropriate curricula for educational programs across multiple formats (on-site, off-site, camps, outreach, etc.). Ensure that programs align with national and state educational standards, and reflect the zoo's mission, conservation goals, and sustainability initiatives.* Program Facilitation & Instruction:Lead and deliver educational programming for diverse groups, including school groups (K-12), youth groups, adult audiences, libraries, senior living centers, and community organizations. Facilitate programs such as school visits, birthday parties, camps, outreach activities, and special events, adjusting content to suit the age, background, and interests of each group.* Adaptability & Flexibility:Demonstrate the ability to adapt programming based on changing conditions, such as weather, animal behavior, or participant needs. Exhibit creativity in adjusting lesson plans or approaches on the fly to ensure the program remains engaging and educational for all audiences.* Animal Handling & Education:Safely handle and transport live educational animals, including small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and invertebrates, while maintaining high standards of animal care. Ensure the safe and ethical use of animals in educational settings and ensure that staff is trained on these best practices.* Community Engagement & Influence:Champion the zoo's mission and conservation message during all interactions with program participants. Influence change by promoting conservation efforts and environmental education to diverse audiences, ranging from young children to adults. Engage participants and inspire them to be active, informed advocates for wildlife and the environment.* Customer Service & Communication:Provide excellent customer service to all guests and program participants, ensuring that they have a positive and educational experience. Communicate effectively with supervisors, co-workers, and participants, fostering an atmosphere of respect and enthusiasm.* Program Evaluation & Improvement:Participate in the evaluation of educational programs, assessing feedback from participants, staff, and other stakeholders. Use this feedback to refine and improve future programs, ensuring that they continue to meet educational goals and provide high-quality experiences.* High-Energy Environment:Maintain a high level of energy and enthusiasm throughout the workday. Be proactive in engaging with participants, adapting to different environments, and ensuring that each program is executed with passion and commitment.* Collaboration & Professional Development:Work closely with the Education Program Manager and team members to ensure educational programs meet the zoo's strategic goals. Collaborate cross-departmentally, especially with Marketing, Guest Services, and Animal Care, to ensure programs are effectively promoted, delivered, and aligned with zoo-wide initiatives. Engage in continuous professional development to stay current with the latest trends in education, wildlife conservation, and animal care.* Program Documentation & Reporting:Maintain accurate records of program content, participant feedback, and attendance. Assist with tracking performance metrics and reporting on program effectiveness.* Behavior Management & Group Engagement:Maintain a positive and engaging learning environment by effectively managing group behavior, especially in programs involving children or large groups. Ensure that all participants are involved and safely engaged throughout the program.* Mentorship & Program Enhancement:Work with and mentor other staff, such as docents and keeper staff, to express the zoo's educational messaging effectively. Enhance the educational value of programs by collaborating with Animal Care to provide participants with meaningful interactions and insights into animal conservation.General Responsibilities:Maintain a professional, courteous, and tactful demeanor when interacting with guests, co-workers, and external partners.Lead and support team members in alignment with the Topeka Zoo and Conservation Mission, ensuring decisions are in line with organizational values.Foster strong relationships through ongoing communication with internal teams, external partners, vendors, the Board of Directors (BOD), and key stakeholders.Deliver superior service by resolving issues promptly and addressing concerns with urgency and efficiency.Proactively identify solutions to problems, both in day-to-day operations and urgent situations.Stay informed on current industry trends and developments that can benefit the zoo, actively seeking opportunities for professional growth.Represent FOTZ professionally in all settings, including onsite activities, community events, and communications.Participate in meetings as required and contribute to team discussions and planning.Respond to customer, staff, and vendor inquiries in a timely and helpful manner.Answer telephone calls and provide prompt, professional responses.Adhere to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.Follow FOTZ's policies and procedures to ensure consistency and compliance.Perform other duties as assigned to support the mission of the zoo.Performance Measurements & Primary Accountability:Timely and accurate completion of work tasks, ensuring all deliverables are met with attention to detail.Strong, collaborative relationships with guests, staff, and stakeholders are maintained, contributing to a positive work culture.Demonstrate teamwork by accomplishing tasks in collaboration with others.Ability to adapt to change, accepting and supporting management decisions positively.Achievement of individual and team objectives as set by leadership.Consistent and reliable attendance, arriving and departing work on time as scheduled.Qualifications: (Knowledge, Skill, and Ability):Educational Background & Experience: A bachelor's degree in biology, Conservation, Environmental Sciences, Education, Psychology, or a related field is preferred, along with at least one year of experience in formal or informal education, wildlife conservation, or environmental education.Public Speaking & Educational Programming: Proven experience in public speaking (e.g., zoo/aquarium chats, school presentations) and working with diverse age groups (children, youth, adults). Skilled in developing and delivering engaging, age-appropriate educational programming for school visits, birthday parties, camps, outreach, and special events, all aligned with the zoo's mission and conservation goals.Leadership & Teamwork: Strong leadership abilities with a demonstrated capacity to work independently and as part of a collaborative team. Skilled at managing group behavior and creating an engaging, inclusive learning environment for diverse audiences.Communication & Organizational Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage and educate diverse audiences. Strong organizational skills, adept at managing multiple tasks and adapting to changing conditions, such as weather, animals, and participant needs. Calm under pressure with sound judgment in stressful situations.Animal Handling & Welfare: Experience with live animal handling, including small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and invertebrates, with a strong commitment to safe, ethical animal handling and welfare practices.Technical & Certification Requirements: Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and other relevant computer programs. Possess a valid driver's license with an insurable driving record and CPR certification (or willingness to obtain certification upon hire).Personal Traits & Passion: High energy, self-motivated, and adaptable to changing environments, with a passion for wildlife education and conservation. Committed to inspiring change and engaging participants, while providing exceptional customer service to ensure positive experiences for all guests. Willing and able to work with a wide variety of audiences, including school groups, youth programs, senior groups, and community organizations.Physical Demands:Mobility & Physical Requirements: The ability to frequently walk across the assigned area, and perform physical tasks such as reaching, bending, kneeling, lifting (up to 50 pounds), pulling, twisting, pushing, squatting, and dragging. This requires good hand-eye coordination and physical stamina to sit, stand, or move intermittently throughout the workday.Indoor/Outdoor Work: This role requires flexibility to work both indoors and outdoors in varying environmental conditions, including extreme temperatures, inclement weather, and possibly wet, icy, or muddy conditions. Exposure to hay, dust, and other outdoor elements is common.Vision & Concentration: Must have the ability to read computer screens, emails, and documentation, while maintaining focus on detailed information for extended periods. Requires good vision abilities, including close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception.Safety & Compliance: A critical aspect of this role is ensuring safety in the work environment by exercising caution to prevent accidents. Must adhere to safety standards and comply with all relevant regulations and policies, including those set by TZCC, AZA, and USDA.Multitasking & Time Management: The role demands strong organizational skills with the ability to multitask effectively in a fast-paced environment. Must manage time efficiently, stay productive, and prioritize tasks while engaging with the public and working collaboratively as part of a team or independently.Attendance & Punctuality: Regular attendance and punctuality are essential for this position.Documentation & Computer Skills: Proficiency in documenting pertinent information and utilizing computer software (e.g., Word, Excel) is required, along with strong communication skills.Vehicle Operation: Ability to operate golf carts and on-the-road vehicles as part of job responsibilities.Work Environment:Customer & Staff Interaction: Ability to effectively engage with staff and visitors, including handling challenging situations or difficult customers.Flexible Scheduling: Willingness to work irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, as needed to meet the demands of the role.Animal Safety Awareness: Knowledge of safety protocols and precautions when handling or working around dangerous animals.Vehicle Operation: Ability to safely operate a golf cart and other zoo vehicles as required.Adaptability & Stress Management: Capable of adapting to changing circumstances, managing pressure, and maintaining composure in stressful situations involving animals and guests.Emergency Response: Able to stay calm and respond swiftly and effectively in emergency situations.Salary18.00/hourHow to ApplyPlease send cover letters and resumes to smiles@topekazoo.org and hmangel@topekazoo.orgTopeka Zoo635 SW Gage BlvdTopeka, KS 66606Phone: 7852178060Visit our website