Education Manager

Position Overview

The Education Manager is a critical management position that is responsible for overseeing educational programs offered by the Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary. The Education Manager will encourage students’ awareness and appreciation of the natural world science concepts. This is a full-time position that reports to the Director of Programs.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Working with the Director of Programs, assure that the development, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of all educational programs are aligned with the Heard’s mission and revenue strategy
• Recruit, hire, train, and schedule qualified educators and volunteers to ensure effective and efficient delivery of education programs
• Conduct observations and provide ongoing support, feedback, and training to educators
• Develop, prepare, organize, and evaluate curricula for all Heard educational programs ensuring appropriate standards and mission are met on an ongoing basis
• Proactively evaluate and make recommendations to the Director of Programs to add or remove program offerings in order to maximize program performance and revenue
• Maintenance and organization of program materials
• Under the guidance of the Living Collections Curator, assure that the Heard’s ambassador animals have the highest quality of life possible while performing their role as working educational animals
• Act as Summer Camp Director including acquiring and maintaining all needed licensing and certifications
• Hire Summer Nature Camp Teachers and provide training before each camp season.
• Respond to requests and inquiries from the public quickly and efficiently with the highest degree of customer service
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships and proactively encourage and facilitate collaboration between departments
• Network and foster relationships with agencies, organizations, schools, businesses, and community groups
• Prepare monthly, annual, and other periodic reports
• Employ diplomacy, creativity, sound judgment, leadership, and initiative in performing all functions related to the job

Duties and Responsibilities

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. The ideal candidate is a solution-oriented thinker, who is flexible and creative, with a “can-do” attitude and who has experience working with outdoor science education programs and managing people.

Qualifications include:

• A bachelor’s degree, or higher, from an accredited college or university with major course work in a Natural Science, Natural Resources Management, Environmental Studies, Biology, Education, or a closely-related field
• Two (2) years of responsible experience in any of the following or a closely related field: education, interpretation, volunteer program management including working with docents/volunteers or the public in an educational/interpretive capacity
• Experience working in a leadership position at an educational institution preferred
• Flexible to changing circumstances; able to maintain a positive and professional attitude under stress; detail-oriented and organized; excellent time management and record keeping skills
• Able to work both independently and as a member of a team; willingness to be coached and openness to feedback; high level of integrity; excellent work ethic
• Knowledge of Texas plant and animal life highly desirable
• Ability to handle a variety of animals including invertebrates and snakes highly desirable
• Ability to work outside in a variety of weather conditions and temperatures required
• Effective communication and strong interpersonal skills; ability to speak effectively before diverse groups of patrons, employees, and partners required
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals required
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence required
• Comfort with using and learning computer software including CRMs, Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Acrobat required
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends required
• Fingerprinting for a background check will be required
• Current CPR and First Aid Certificates is highly preferred
• Valid and current driver’s license necessary