Lincoln Park Zoo inspires communities to create environments where wildlife will thrive in our urbanizing world. The zoo is a leader in local and global conservation, animal care and welfare, learning, and science. A historic Chicago landmark founded in 1868, the not-for-profit Lincoln Park Zoo, is a privately-managed, member-supported organization and is free and open 365 days a year. Visit us at lpzoo.org.

GENERAL SUMMARY 

The Community Programs Coordinators will supervise the coordination and delivery of out-of-school time programs co-created with teens and young adults that inspire learning about urban wildlife, conservation, and stewardship of natural world. This position advances Lincoln Park Zoo’s mission by coordinating the planning, scheduling and facilitation of community programs and special events that engage community members and partner organizations in meaningful experiences that promote learning and conservation actions. Coordinator will consult with staff across the Learning Department and community partners to tailor program content and structures in ways that maximize learner engagement and team collaboration. The coordinator will also support zoo scientists and evaluators, as needed, to increase capacity for local residents to identify and address critical environmental challenges.

In this capacity the coordinator will:

• Supervise community learning facilitators and community educators hired by the zoo
• Collaborate with the community programs manager to co-create program outcomes
• Collaborate with community learning facilitators to define learning objectives for co-created programs, special events and community camps
• Lead the scheduling of workshops, field trips, supply ordering and deliveries for initiatives that live within their program suite
• Support internal staff and partner trainings, as needed
• Support program and process evaluations, as needed
• Lead debriefing conversations with zoo staff and partners to uplift actionable feedback that increases trust, collaboration and program effectiveness
• Support the planning and delivery of special events on-grounds or in community

Key to this position is a passion for collaborating with zoo staff, volunteers, community organizations and residents to facilitate connections with nature and urban wildlife via learning, relationship building, recruitment, family engagement, and program evaluation activities. The coordinator should have a deep connection to communities of Austin, North Lawndale and others on the West Sides of Chicago. Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and other who identify as nonwhite, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQIA community, and those with lived experience with racism and/or misogynoir are encouraged to apply.

Key competencies and behaviors

• Demonstrates high levels of empathy and willingness to be inspired and guided BY community and staff.
• Proven ability to manage people, processes, and complex projects while inspiring creativity and innovation.
• Remains cool under pressure and serves as a positive, calming influence among colleagues and program participants
• Utilizes expertise in group facilitation to foster the development of trust, respect, and collaboration among teammates
• Makes decisions appropriate for level of responsibility
• Supports the professional development of direct reports and community educators in a manner that fosters awareness, understanding, and inclusion of diverse community perspectives within the fields of informal learning and environmental education

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS 

• Leads programs in collaboration with Lincoln Park Zoo’s community engagement staff and community organizations in partner communities (North Lawndale, Little Village, and Austin) by:
  • Providing actionable feedback to zoo staff and community partners
  • Identifying appropriate taskings, deadlines and delegations for zoo staff
  • Supervising lesson creation and supply ordering
  • Prioritizing the implementation of best practices in community learning that ensure consistent, high-quality facilitation and age-appropriate skill development
• Works under the supervision of the community programs manager to support community learning facilitators (FT paid zoo staff), part-time learning facilitators (paid zoo staff), paid-interns, volunteers and community educators (vendors, non-zoo staff). Responsibilities include supporting the following: 
  • Training and on-boarding 
  • Curriculum and lesson plan writing 
  • Facilitation strategies and tactics
  • Conducting formal program observations and facilitating debrief meetings with partners and community learning facilitators  
  • Identifying on-going learning opportunities and professional development
  • Authoring and facilitating annual performance appraisals  
• Collaborates with coordinators across the Learning department to exchange resources and tactics that enhance learning experiences and outcomes for participants 
• Oversees content development and review for programs within their program suite in collaboration with the community programs manager
• Together with the second coordinator, ensures clear communication with Community Learning Facilitators in order to efficiently organize and clarify processes that enhance team collaboration in lesson planning and program facilitation
• Collaborates with the second Community Programs Coordinator when scheduling special events, season community camps and field trips
• Coordinates the monthly publication of the Learning and Community Engagement department’s monthly newsletter
• Facilitates programs as needed 
• Fulfills various tasks and other duties as a representative of the Learning Department, as assigned  

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES.  

• Interest and passion for wildlife conservation and education 
• Experience working with communities on the West and/or Southwest side of Chicago 
  • Candidates with personal connections to the Austin and North Lawndale communities, are preferred
• Working knowledge of PCs, using word processing and spreadsheets  
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to thrive in a highly organized manner ensuring appropriate delegation of tasks and timely completion of all projects 
• Ability to successfully support community educators and entry level professionals 
• Ability to interact courteously and respectfully with supervisors, fellow employees, volunteers, zoo visitors and general public

Note: A comparable combination of education, experience or training that would provide the level of knowledge, skills and ability required may qualify an individual.

EXPERIENCE AND/OR EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS 

• Cumulative 3 years working in community-based social, educational or environmental programming. 
• Curriculum or program development experience required. 
• Experience working with culturally, linguistically, and developmentally diverse learners required. 
• Bachelor’s degree in biology, zoology, education, nonprofit management or similar field preferred.  

Note: A comparable combination of education, experience or training that would provide the level of knowledge, skills and ability required may qualify an individual.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Must be able to facilitate programming for long periods of time and work in a variety of weather conditions. 
• Must be able to move equipment/supplies on a rolling cart and into car - up to 50 pounds. 
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule that may involve delivering multiple, hour-long programs in a row with limited breaks. 

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Proof of COVID-19 vaccination
• Available to work special events that may occur outside of regular work schedule, including evenings, weekends or holidays, as assigned.
• Have reliable transportation in order to attend meetings, facilitate programming and conduct site visits for programming within Chicago communities
• Ability and willingness to operate zoo vehicles  

Lincoln Park Zoo is committed to an environment that is inclusive and welcoming. Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and others who identify as nonwhite, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQIA community, and those with lived experience with racism and/or misogynoir are encouraged to apply. We celebrate the diverse qualities, perspectives, values and experiences of all people. For Wildlife. For All.