Zoo Instructor

Job Title: Zoo Instructor

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Classification: Seasonal 

Hours: 30 hours/week (9:00 AM - 4:00 PM)

Pay Rate: $15.40/hour

This is a seasonal position with a maximum duration of six months, based on individual performance and business operations. The exact end date will be determined by the official start date. The season will tentatively run May through July 2026.

Summary:

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium is seeking fun, mature, and engaging educators to serve as Instructors to facilitate education programs at the Zoo and in the community. Instructors will promote the Zoos mission, goals, and objectives; and create a positive learning experience for children and adults. Instructors will have an opportunity to instruct in-person and virtual education programs year-round. This position reports directly to the Education Program Manager - Classes and Camps.

Duties and Responsibilities (include but not limited to):

• Write theme-based STEM lessons for programs.

• Inspire, educate, and engage children and adults to serve as life-long stewards for animals, their habitats, and their conservation.

• Individuals should aspire to instruct children and adults about our amazing natural world through hands-on inquiry, Zoo and Wildlife Safari Park tours, and animal encounters.

• Create a positive experience and communicate to parents as needed.

• Preparation, clean-up, check-in, and check-out of students daily.

• Utilize developmentally appropriate practices that inspire conservation action.

• Organize rooms, reservations, paperwork, materials, and supplies before and after programs.

• Know the resources and curriculum available for programming including, but not limited to, research equipment, animal artifacts, exhibits, staff, and other curriculum resources.

• Evaluate programs and fill out reports after each program.

• Operate audio/visual equipment, cameras, and computers as needed.

• Willingness to work with and present Animal Ambassador animals including reptiles, amphibians, and insects.

• Gain an in-depth understanding of materials available for programming including, but not limited to animal bio-facts, live animals, exhibits, staff, and other zoo resources.

• This position is primarily located at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium (3701 S 10th St, Omaha, NE 68107). However, this position might be required to work at the Wildlife Safari Park as needed.

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Progress toward or completion of a degree in education, environmental education, natural sciences, or related field.

• Experience teaching in schools, camps, nature centers, science museums, zoos or other programs emphasizing science or nature education.

• Weekday and/or weekend availability required (including evening hours). Peak seasonal hours may be up to 40 hours per week (June-July). This position requires a minimum of 20 hours of availability weekly.

• Must be creative, enthusiastic, and hardworking individuals with a strong interest in environmental education.

• Ability to present dynamic, creative, and mission-driven programming to mixed age groups.

• Ability to work with parents, volunteers, and all visitors and staff.

• Flexibility in dealing with program delivery and late-notice changes.

• Willingness to learn new information. Knowledge of animals and the outdoors is a plus.

• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.

Candidates might be (depending on position) required to pass a pre-employment background check, drug test, negative skin tuberculosis test, and possess a valid drivers license with a good history.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort:

• Must be able to travel long distances across the zoo.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

• Must be able to stand, sit, kneel, bend, twist, reach above head and climb.

• Will lift, push, pull, and/or move up to 30 pounds and occasionally up to 50 pounds using safe and proper lifting methods.

• Work is performed indoors and outdoors, under all weather conditions. Both on and off zoo grounds. Programming occurs at the Zoo and Wildlife Safari Park.

DISCLAIMER

The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain, nor is it to be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and objectives required of employees assigned to this job.

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer as defined by the EEOC.

Salary : $15