Elementary-Age Programs Specialist

Zoological Society of Milwaukee•Wauwatosa, WI

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Zoological Society of Milwaukee (ZSM) is seeking an Elementary-Age Programs Specialist to join a fun and talented team of professionals in supporting one of the most cherished community assets – the Milwaukee County Zoo. This position teaches educational programming offerings within Conservation Education, providing support to both school and seasonal enrichment curriculum development and teaching. This role works closely with the Elementary-Age Programs Coordinator in support of ZSM's mission to educate people about the importance of wildlife and animals and support the Milwaukee County Zoo, and the Conservation Education department’s vision to inspire and empower all members of our community to take conservation action.

Requirements

Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in education (formal, informal, environmental, etc.) or related field (e.g., conservation, wildlife biology, zoology, etc.) plus one year of experience teaching youth in an informal or formal education setting, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
Proven ability to work independently and in teams.
Demonstration of excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills; Spanish or second language fluency beneficial.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; proficiency in additional collaboration platforms, CRMs (experience with Tessitura a plus), and comfort learning new digital tools preferred.
Possession of a valid driver’s license, personal vehicle and adequate car insurance with the ability to travel to program sites, meetings and professional opportunities.
Ability to become CPR/1st Aid certified within 6 months of employment; biennial recertification required.

Nice To Haves

Proven experience writing environmental education and/or STEAM curriculum a plus.

Responsibilities

Serve as educator for school and seasonal public programs; write new and/or improve existing curricula, plan and set-up classroom spaces, implement programming and engage with members of the public.
Communicate with and train other educators who assist in teaching, writing or supporting elementary-age programming.
Develop developmentally appropriate curricula with the whole child in mind—incorporating different strategies and skill sets, such as Social-Emotional Learning, mindfulness techniques, STEAM, culturally-relevant practices, and/or conservation education.
Provide support to the ordering, distribution, and upkeep of program supplies/materials and support budget processes as needed for various programs.
Employ strong customer service and interpersonal skills to connect to and relate with a variety of participants, family members, and volunteers, ranging in age and diversity.
Provide assistance to additional programs, processes, and teaching opportunities in order to support the education department and staff, as needed.
Support registration processes through knowledge of ZSM’s CRM system, Tessitura.
Participate in training, including animal handling training, to ensure a safe and engaging Zoo education experience for participants.
Attend staff department meetings and contribute ideas for improvements, changes and new program ideas in relation to the Conservation Education Department and ZSM’s mission.
Represent ZSM and the Education Department on Zoo grounds, community events, and with partner organizations.
Facilitate and support positive internal communications and organizational culture.