Conservation Awareness Coordinator

City of Garden City•Garden City, KS

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The city of Garden City Zoo is hiring for a Conservation Awareness Coordinator. This position plans, schedules, coordinates, and presents educational programs. Assists Conservation Awareness Manager with development and coordination of programming, teacher in-services, special events, maintaining best practices with animal ambassadors, and volunteer training and supervision. Recruits, coordinates training, and supervises gate attendants.

Requirements

Skill in teaching, public relations and communication principles and practices.
Knowledge of wildlife biology, zoo management, and educational methods.
Ability to coordinate a variety of work activities with excellent attention to details.
Ability to communicate with City staff and officials, community organizations, and the general public using a variety of communication mediums.
Ability to use computers and computer technology, various software, scanning equipment; DL equipment, (including cameras, speakers, microphones, televisions, monitors, studio lights, etc.); ability to understand and communicate clearly, in English, written and verbal instructions, and to communicate well through written and verbal means with individuals of all ages and abilities.
Graduation from a college or university with a four-year degree in wildlife biology, education, or related field or two-year college degree with work experience in a related field.
Minimum of one-year experience in zoo or environmental educational activities.
Valid Kansas driver’s license required.

Nice To Haves

Experience with program animals preferred.

Responsibilities

Coordinates volunteer program under Conservation Awareness Manager’s guidance.
Maintains volunteer hour records for grant funding and recognition purposes and coordinates volunteer scheduling for programs.
Guides/implements volunteer training and evaluations.
Recruits, coordinates training and supervises gate attendants.
Responsible for learning and utilizing best practices of the City of Garden City regarding personnel management by participating in leadership development activities.
Develops, schedules, confirms, promotes, and presents educational programs, both on & off site using live animals & biofacts.
Develop, analyze, update, or expand education programs to meet the needs of area educators and school curriculum objectives.
Develop and implement zoo day camp and other youth programs as well as special events (conservation awareness days, Earth Day, Birthday Party packages, teacher in-services and workshops, etc.).
Responsible for data entry, invoicing and tracking payments related to programs.
Responsible for library and biofacts loan materials, and their usage by staff and public.
Schedules and coordinates reservations for educational use of Finnup Center (classrooms, lecture hall, ITV studio) with Department Administrative Assistant.
Assists Communication Specialist with research and development of educational graphics, maintenance, and upkeep of Finnup Center graphics and interactive exhibits.
Assist with or coordinate setup for educational programming and special events, including folding tables, chairs, tents, displays, etc.
Participates in staff training sessions for emergency preparedness, first responders, and basic firearms safety.
Assists with handling and operant conditioning/training of animal ambassadors and maintaining best practices for those animals.