Zoo Education Center Specialist
Salary $21.72 - $29.12 Hourly
Location Oregon Zoo, OR
Job Type Full Time
Department Oregon Zoo
Job Number 2018-6036-Zoo-1
Closing 6/4/2018 5:00 PM Pacific
Position Summary
This is a full-time, benefitted position.
This position will provide educational presentations in the Oregon Zoo's Education Center, and be in charge of logistics for some of the zoo's conservation awareness days. Additionally, this person will manage the daily operations of the Education Center. This is an opportunity to make sure our new Education Center is a welcoming space by keeping displays in good shape, assisting with daily tasks that keep it running smoothly. Other duties include working with outside partners on developing presentations and events, and leading the work of volunteers. This person will develop and seek feedback on programming to ensure that it is inclusive and welcoming to the diverse audiences that visit the zoo. The regular schedule will be Tuesday through Saturday, with additional evenings or day shifts required occasionally.
The goal of the Education Center is to share with zoo guests what actions they can take in their own lives to help wildlife and the environment. This person will join a team that is fun, passionate about conservation education and enjoys working with people. The zoo has 1.6 million visitors each year who come from diverse communities in the region and beyond. You can see more about our new Education Center here: https://www.oregonzoo.org/discover/new-zoo/education-center.
At Oregon Zoo, we hire a workforce representative of the communities we serve, understanding that a diverse workforce strengthens our organization. We view a diverse workforce as an important part of advancing racial equity agency-wide. To learn more about our value for diversity, equity and inclusion please check out this hyperlink for the Strategic Plan to Advance Racial Equity (Download PDF reader).
Application requirements
1) Electronic application, 2) answer to supplemental questions, and 3) cover letter describing your qualifications as they relate to the duties of this position.
Essential Job Duties
An employee in this position must be able to perform all the essential job duties listed below with or without reasonable accommodation; however, this list is not intended to include all of the specific tasks which an employee in this position may be expected to perform.
- Delivers conservation education presentations to zoo guests in the Education Center
- Coordinates and/or supports zoo-wide animal awareness day events
- Ensures that programming is welcoming and inclusive of diverse communities
- Schedules partners and volunteers
- Maintains a volunteer opportunity board
- Operates the day-to-day Education Center needs, including testing AV equipment, preparing public spaces, and basic repair of visitor activity stations.
- Serves as primary contact for partners who are presenting in the Education Center
- Provides direction to adult and teen volunteers stationed in the Center
- Develops conservation education content to present to guests, camps and students
- Coordinates logistics for events held in the center, such as entry, AV, room set up, etc.
- Supports relationships with community-based organizations
- Administers basic program evaluation tools
- Monitors, cleans, repairs, inventories, stores materials, supplies and equipment.
- Performs assigned duties during an emergency situation.
- Performs other duties as assigned
This position is represented by AFSCME Local 3580 and is classified as an Education Specialist I (click to read the full classification).Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include thespecific duties and responsibilities of the positions.
Minimum Requirements
- Four years of experience in a field related to the position and a high school diploma OR
- Two years of experience in a field related to the position and an associates degree, OR
- Any combination of education and experience that demonstrates the necessary skills for the job
- Experience working with and tailoring programs to bilingual communities and communities of color is preferred
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of
- general teaching and interpretation methods for informal settings
- event logistics (scheduling meetings, scheduling volunteer support, arranging entry, presentation setup)
- building operations such as opening and closing procedures and basic repairs
- environmental education principles that can be applied broadly to diverse audiences (different ages, races, abilities and cultural backgrounds)
Skill to
- engage a wide variety of zoo visitors, including those from communities who have been historically marginalized
- foster relationships with a broad group of partners who also do presentations in the center
- use computers and software related to presentation and general office work, and to enter data
- coordinate logistics for presentations and events
Ability to
- create operational procedures for the Education Center
- effectively organize work, manage time, prioritize tasks, and follow both written and oral direction
- solve problems and take initiative
- work independently
- fulfill Metro's employee values of public service, excellence, teamwork, respect, innovation and sustainability
- work in a safe manner and follow Metro safety policies, practices, and procedures
- perform the assigned duties of the position.
Additional Information
Working conditions: Duties are performed in various settings, including indoor and outdoor locations, at the zoo and at partner organizations and events the community. Duties may be performed in inclement weather conditions. May be required to move equipment and distribute supplies. Duties require handling animals, including cleaning, training and feeding.
Online applications: Metro accepts job applications online. If you need assistance or accommodation with your application, or access to a computer, call 503-797-1570.
Accommodation: Reasonable accommodation is available to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this process. To obtain confidential assistance please contact Human Resources 503-797-1570.
Public Employees Retirement System (PERS): New employees will pay the employee portion of the PERS contribution.
Veterans' Preference: Under Oregon Law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans' preference when applying for Metro positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veterans' preference for this job, please provide qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.
Criminal background check: In order to protect the well being of its employees, the public and agency assets, Metro may conduct criminal background checks on candidates selected for Metro positions. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude employment and will be considered on a case by case basis. A background check will only be conducted if you are selected as a finalist for a position. If selected as a finalist, you will be contacted by Human Resources prior to the initiation of a background check.
Equal employment opportunity: All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability for which a reasonable accommodation can be made or any other status protected by law. Assistance will be gladly provided upon request for any applicant with sensory or non-sensory disabilities.
An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer