Education Specialist

Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo is seeking an outgoing, enthusiastic, and energetic Instructional Specialist for Conservation Education for the Zoo Animal Technology Program. This unique program offers an Associate of Science degree and requires students to work as Zookeepers in an accredited zoo located on the NW campus.

About the role

The working environment is dynamic and requires excellent customer service skills to interact with guests, students, and employees in a respectful and positive manner. This position requires the ability to work on weekend days, college breaks, and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Works closely with students in the Zoo Animal Technology Program and Zoo Education Assistant Work Study by giving thorough instructions and thoughtful feedback.
• Works closely with animals in the ambassador program and assists with maintaining trained behaviors used for educational experiences.
• Presents education programs and tabling for off-campus outreaches at community venues.
• Gives virtual presentations to schools, libraries, assisted living facilities, and more.
• Creates content, such as lesson plans and activities, for educational programs.
• Assists with planning events such as Party for the Planet, Zookeeper Day, and World Tree Kangaroo Day.
• Facilitates animal encounters with the public.
• Assists Conservation Education Curator in creating and building graphics and interactive displays.
• Facilitates birthday parties for the public on weekends, or as needed.
• Keeps a record of operating procedures and may share position-specific knowledge, including use of collegewide ERP and related system processes, by providing guidance on standard operations and established departmental procedures as needed.
• Complies with all published College Rules, procedures, guidelines, and laws/regulations governing public employees, including those related to document retention and destruction, FERPA, and confidentiality.
• Strictly honors the privacy, security, and confidentiality of records and other sensitive information according to appropriate state, federal, and college regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Provides service excellence through courteous, informed, accessible, and professional engagement.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• An Associate of Science in Zoo Animal Technology or a related degree with at least two (2) years of experience working in a public presentation setting, school, zoological park, aquarium, museum, or nature preserve and/or a combination of education and/or experience equal to four (4) years.
• A criminal background check will be conducted.

Preferred Qualifications

• At least two (2) years of animal handling and/or animal training experience.

Skills

• Ability to work successfully in a multi-cultural environment.
• Adaptability to Change – able to be flexible and supportive, positively and proactively assimilate change in a rapid growth environment.
• Communication – able to effectively communicate in a professional, diplomatic, empathetic, and tactful manner using preferred method and level as applicable to the job.
• Critical Thinking & Judgement – able to make well-reasoned, sensible, and timely decisions based on careful, objective review and informed analysis of available information, considerations, and other factors.
• Customer Service – ability to respond promptly and courteously to all questions from students and faculty, demonstrating patience and persistence when helping students with little or no computer skills.
• Ethics – able to demonstrate integrity, professionalism, civility, and a high degree of ethics in all job-related actions.
• Organization & Time Management – able to plan, schedule, and organize tasks related to the job to achieve goals within or ahead of established time frames.
• Relationship Management – able to personally provide a high level of interactive service to others, building relationships and addressing identified needs.
• Results Orientation – proven ability to set and exceed established targets.
• Systems & Software – proficient level of knowledge of Microsoft Office and/or relevant position software programs.
• Detail Oriented – proven accuracy and attention to detail.
• Multi-task – ability to expeditiously organize, coordinate, manage, prioritize, and perform multiple tasks simultaneously to swiftly assess a situation, determine a logical course of action, and apply the appropriate response.