Program Staff - Part-time

Position is responsible for creating an environment that provides unique, interactive, and educational experiences focusing on nature and conservation for program participants and guests. Promotes Sedgwick County Zoo by having a positive, unique and memorable impact on participants in both informal and formal education programs, demonstrations and workshops.

Primary Job Functions  

Program Facilitation 

• Lead presentations and hands-on activities both on and offsite, in indoor and outdoor settings.  Group sizes can range from as small as two, to as large as several hundred.  Drop-off programs for minors maintain a ratio of 1 program staff person to 15 minors.
• Provide an inclusive experience to all ages, learning levels and abilities. 
• Effectively convey factual information on a wide variety of flora, fauna, and natural history.
• Adjust techniques and methods as necessary to maintain engagement of participants.
• Adapt lesson plans and outlines to meet the interests and needs of the group.
• Return materials and supplies to the appropriate places and tidy presentation area at the end of each session.
• Follow all policies and procedures to check out, use and check in all education supplies.
• Ensure participants’ safety by practicing professional classroom and zoo-visit management and The Authority of the Resource technique.
• Clearly explain expectations using positive language to ensure safe participation for the guest and animal (if/when applicable).
• Assist with the training and mentoring of new staff and volunteers.
• Demonstrate compassion, consistency and fairness, cultural awareness and sensitivity, flexibility, and respectfulness.
• Demonstrate passion for wildlife conservation and conservation education 

Program Documentation 

• Ensure that all rosters, evaluations and other requested paperwork are filled out and filed in the correct location at the conclusion of each session/program.
• Complete accident/incident reports for injured participants and ensure the Interpretive Manager and/or Curator of Education and Farms are notified. If participant is a minor, contacts parents or guardian if required.  
• Prepare supplies and technology necessary to facilitate program.
• Notify Interpretive Manager and/or Curator of Education and Farms immediately with any concerns of child abuse or neglect. You are required by law to report child abuse and neglect to Child Protective Services. 

Animal Handling 

• Complete animal handling training to become a Certified Ambassador Animal Handler.  Certification expires after one year and all staff must recertify each year.
• Handle, transport and present Ambassador Animals in accordance to all trainings, policies and procedures.
• Monitor and maintain safety, wellbeing and security of Ambassador Animals, including travel time, program time that they are actively participating in, as well as program time when they are in travel crate/container not participating.   
• Productively interact with families and zoo guests in both formal and informal settings.

Secondary Job Functions 

• Provide memorable experiences for guests, staff and animals that focus on conservation action.
• Complete required training and safely operate all zoo-required equipment for completion of job duties.
• Use time efficiently to complete assigned tasks. Actively seek ways to streamline processes and stays open to new ideas and approaches.
• Represent the Zoo and/or Sedgwick County at various offsite events such as regional, national, and international conferences, meetings, community events, outreach programs, etc.

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Must be 18 years in age
• Valid US driver’s license without restrictions.
• High School diploma required with some informal education or college experience 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• First Aid & CPR Training (training will be provided within first 10 months of employment).  
• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in education, environmental education, natural sciences, interpretation, or related field.
• Previous experience working with the public in a formal or informal learning setting of a zoo, aquarium, museum, science center or classroom.

Working Environment/Conditions

The employee is subject to activities that occur in both inside and outside environmental conditions. The employee is subject to any potential hazards of working in a zoo. The employee is subject to potential hazards of working with and near dangerous animals. The employee may be exposed to zoonotic diseases. Employee must be able to work a schedule that may involve working weekends, holidays, or after regular work shifts.

Physical Requirements

Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 30 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.  May be required to walk or stand for extended periods of time and do repetitive tasks with few breaks within indoor and outdoor environments. The employee is required to have visual acuity to determine the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of the work assigned or to make general observations of facilities or animals.

Direct reports

N/A