Education Manager - Community Outreach And Operations

Education Manager

• Community Outreach and Operations

Collaborate with a passionate Zoo Crew in San Antonio

Choosing where to start and grow your career has a major impact on your professional and personal life, so it's equally important you know that the place you choose to work at, and its leaders, will support and guide you. With a diversity of passionate people and like-minded conservationists, San Antonio Zoo is a place where you can collaborate with others securing a future for wildlife.

The Impact You'll Make in this Role

The Education Manager

• Community Outreach and Operations is primarily responsible is overseeing standard operating procedures and using creativity and organization skills to bring new approaches to Will Smith Zoo School's role in the community. They will provide vision and coordination to develop and implement community partnerships that support San Antonio Zoo's and Will Smith Zoo School's mission. This individual will also encourage communication and grow our community partnerships by fostering and supporting WSZS social community platforms through engaging content.

As an Education Manager, you will have the opportunity to tap into your curiosity and collaborate with some of the most innovative and diverse people in San Antonio. Here, you will make an impact by:

Community Outreach Responsibilities:

• Assist in the development of an education program and events that are mission aligned, developing conceptual frameworks, support materials, assessment tools, and other elements as needed.

• Support the director in identifying and nurturing relationships with local community organizations to cultivate shared values and build bridges for program collaboration.

• Support the director in promoting growth, learning, accessibility, equity, inclusion, and diversity throughout the program

• Cultivate relationships with peer organizations (environmental, education, outdoor recreation) to share, understand and learn from each other's best practices.

• Support the director in overseeing the integration of communications and outreach efforts across the organization

• Serve as an ambassador for WSZS throughout the community, specifically, at education conferences, meetings, teacher conferences, and other public events.

• Work with the administration team to coordinate training, workshops, and professional development opportunities for staff.

• Serve as a thought leader in conversations about equity, diversity, and inclusion with WSZS's leadership team, staff, participants, and community partners.

• Increase the impact of WSZS Initiatives.

• Assist with planning logistics and programmatic elements of family and fundraising events.

• Act as registrar for family and community programs and events, maintaining excellent records of revenues, expenses, and attendance.

• In collaboration with the Leadership Team, set and oversee social media outreach weekly, monthly, and annual goals.

• Set strategy to mobilize online engagement and monitor all platform activity, pursuing community improvements.

• Provide platform-related technical support to staff and families as needed.

• Prepare monthly Family Newsletters.

Managerial Responsibilities:

• Develops and maintains a workplace culture that embodies the mission, vision, and values of Will Smith Zoo School and San Antonio Zoo through policies, systems, training, and culture-building activities in collaboration with the Director.

• Develop mission-based program goals, conduct formative and summative evaluations, and report program outcomes to director.

• Facilitate communication among staff to promote operational efficiencies.

• Create and execute weekly e-mail communications to the staff to provide information on meetings, events, etc;

• Supports Director with school tours and enrollment guidance for interested families and ongoing communication with enrolled families including conferences and family engagement.

• Identify opportunities for WSZS to leverage cross-department strengths to take advantage of new opportunities and/or to address organizational challenges.

• Engage with the Director in bi- monthly meetings and communications related to outreach and operations.

• Conduct internal and external presentations as assigned.

• Collaborate with Director on the licensing and accreditation standards, reporting, and inspection process.

• Collaborate and communicate with Director and on programmatic needs and direction.

• Assist in completing site-based needs assessments.

Other Responsibilities

Additional duties may be assigned as needed, and you will work collaboratively to provide overflow and backup support.

Your Skills and Expertise

To set you up for success in this role from day one, the San Antonio Zoo recommends the following skills/qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Education, Science Education, Environmental Education, Natural Resources or related field. Degree must be completed by application date.

• At least three years of relevant experience and background in outdoor school, nature-based education, place or land-based education and/or outdoor/environmental education.

• Strong understanding of best practices in emergent curriculum, evaluation, and environmental education and natural resources is required.

• Demonstrated experience with adhering to budget.

• Demonstrated experience in organization, decision-making, problem solving and creating a collaborative environment.

• Ability to handle multiple tasks with rigid deadlines.

• Ability to maintain the strictest confidentiality and professionalism.

• Experience developing, promoting, implementing, and evaluating educational curriculum.

• Excellent time management, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

• Demonstrated experience and success working with a variety of diverse populations.

• Strong workshop and professional development facilitation skills.

• Demonstrated commitment and experience promoting and enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.

• Ability to maintain the safety of participants, staff, and volunteers before, during, and after program experiences.

• Ability to train, inspire and evaluate staff to engage program participants in fun and effective conservation education activities, presentations, and programs.

• Ability to exercise sound judgment and respond effectively under pressure.

• Skilled at managing multiple tasks and communicating well with multiple departments and management.

• Successful candidates must complete a pre-employment National Sex Offender Search, Criminal Background Check, Drug Screen, and TB test.

• We enjoy year-round operation for all staff, must be available day, nights, weekends, and occasional special after-hour assignments.

The San Antonio Zoo is an equal opportunity employer. San Antonio Zoo will not discriminate against any applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.