Education Manager (Full Time)

Summary:

The Education Manager acts as an ambassador of the Zoo through a variety of on-site and off-site educational programs. Duties include designing and leading curriculum-based programs, participating in offsite outreaches, supporting daily education and interpretive programs, engaging with guests, and overseeing Zoo Educators. This position works cooperatively with the Education Department, Zoo team members, volunteers, and interns to ensure exceptional guest service while upholding Zoo policies.

This Manager position will oversee the Guest Engagement and School & Public Programs portfolios, encompassing onsite, offsite, and virtual experiences for a variety of audiences. Additionally, this role collaborates with community partners to develop customized programs, workshops, and educator kits that support the Zoo’s mission. All Managers contribute to our seasonal events, as well as any education programming as needed.

Essential Job Functions:

• Research, develop, and present educational programs to school classes, scout groups, homeschools, camps and other groups (live, in person, on air, virtually, or pre-recorded).
• Provide unique, interactive, and educational experiences for program participants and Zoo guests.
• Develop and maintain professional relationships with personnel from outside organizations and facilities as well as internal Memphis Zoo teams and leaders.
• Help ensure that the Education Department functions smoothly and productively; tasks include preparing, organizing, cleaning, inventory, and maintaining equipment, facilities, and supplies.
• Ensure safety of guests, animals, and staff through practicing professional classroom, camp, tour, informal programming, and nature exploration management.
• Ensure the staffing needs of the education department are maintained by hiring, training, and supervising the full-time and seasonal exhibits educators.
• This position will oversee the hiring, timecard management, annual reviews (where applicable), etc. of those staff members.
• Analyze and share data gathered by staff to ensure animal wellness.
• Provide excellent service to guests, program participants, and team members/volunteers.
• Assist with tours, events, promotional activities, etc. as needed.
• Maintain laboratory safety and compliance while performing dissections or other hands-on experiments.
• Handle animals and facilitate educational animal encounters.

Minimum Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in education, biology, zoology or related field.
• 5 years of relevant experience, or any equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to do the job.
• Possesses expertise in overseeing, guiding, or supervising professionals.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Has or working towards Interpretive training.
• Previous experience in working in professional childcare, educational, entertainment or hospitality organization.
• Previous experience handling and caring for exotic animals.
• Competency with basic graphic design and video editing.

Competencies:

• Oral and written communication proficiency.
• Proficient in MS Office, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.
• Records and reports creation and management.
• Teamwork orientation.
• Stress management/composure.
• Problem solving skills.
• Detail-Oriented.
• Organization.
• Leadership.

Supervisory Responsibility: This position has up to 15 direct reports.

Reporting Structure: Reports to the Curator of Education.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

Full-time positions are defined as positions scheduled to work approximately 40 hours a week. Scheduling is at the discretion of the manager. This position regularly requires flexible hours including weekdays, holidays, and weekends including early morning, daytime, and evening hours to provide coverage during Zoo hours of operation and events. Occasional overnight events required. 

This position is considered exempt under the federal and state wage and hour laws.  

Work Environment:

While performing the duties of the job, the employee will frequently work in alternate settings between indoors (classroom/office environment) and outdoors (Zoo grounds). When outdoors this position is required to work in various weather conditions including rain, humidity, and extreme heat or cold. This position has extensive interaction with large groups of children and adults.

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.
This position requires frequent standing/walking/bending/kneeling/crouching and may occasionally move or lift objects up to 20 pounds. Position also requires ability to navigate through Zoo grounds, with or without the use of an electric golf cart, and ability to communicate over telephone and radio.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 

Other Requirements:

• Valid driver’s license.
• Proof of current automobile insurance.
• Clear driving record.
• Clear background check.
• Clear drug screening.
• Clear TB screening.
• 21 years or older

Benefits & Perks

The Memphis Zoo has a comprehensive benefits and employee perks package. Please see our Memphis Zoo Careers page for details.  

EEOC and Inclusion Statement: 

The Memphis Zoo believes that human diversity is as important as the biodiversity we seek to conserve. World-class zoos are comprised of world-class team members representing a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We value a diverse workplace and strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, and veterans to apply. 

The Memphis Zoo is an equal-opportunity employer. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws. If you need to request any accommodations for the interview or hiring process, please let the Human Resources team (HR) know. HR can be contacted at hrteam@memphiszoo.org. 

The Memphis Zoo participates in E-Verify and is an EEO/ADA/Veteran employer.

All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of pre-employment screening. Memphis Zoo is a drug-free workplace.

How to Apply: 

Applications should be submitted via the Memphis Zoo Careers page. Please note that any other application submissions will not be considered. www.memphiszoo.org/careers.