Supervisor - Guest Education Encounters

NATURE OF WORK

The Supervisor for Guest Education Encounters is in charge of developing and implementing mission-based educational encounters for guests that enter the Zoo.  In addition to guest encounters, the Supervisor for Guest Education Encounters supervises the Volunteer Coordinator and oversees the Zoo’s collection of educational resources.  This position reports directly to the Education Manager.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Establish and maintain positive, cooperative, and effective working relations with fellow employees.
• Constantly exhibit a customer service attitude, a smile, and an obvious interest in visitor comfort and service.
• Communicate with the public in a courteous and tactful manner and assist visitors with questions and directions to various areas of the Zoo.  Address the visitor - do not wait to be asked.
• Remove trash and debris from public areas; i.e. pick up litter whenever you see it.
• Support the Zoo’s mission of conservation by researching, developing and implementing a comprehensive strategy for fun and appropriate conservation education opportunities targeting guests.  This plan should address various learning styles and encompass audience assessment, program development, marketing, staffing and evaluation.
• Communicate goals, strategies and effectiveness to manager and other departments as needed.
• Oversee the educational use of the Zoo’s collection of program animals.  For animals used by education staff and volunteers, this includes requests for acquisition, handler training, messaging, use and evaluation.
• Work as necessary to align guest educational encounters with other guest services and to  support interpreters and others in educational methods.
• Work collaboratively to keep education guest encounter goals aligned with changing Zoo projects.
• Supervise staff in volunteer programs and conduct volunteer training as needed.
• Any and all other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Extensive knowledge of the subject matter in the fields of zoology, natural history, animal behavior and related topics.
• Ability to express oneself clearly and concisely orally and in writing.
• Training, instructing, and program development skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Skilled at managing multiple tasks and communicating well with multiple departments and management
• Knowledge of interpretation, social marketing and current guest experience trends.
• Ability to work effectively and diplomatically with diverse groups of people.
• Ability to analyze facts and exercise sound judgement.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to work weekends, holidays and occasional after-hour assignments.
• Two years of supervisory experience, preferably with a similar institution.
• Five years of professional experience in informal education, preferably with a similar institution.
• Bachelor's degree in science, education or related field.
• Commitment to conservation.
• Strong animal experience preferred.
• Human Resources training helpful.

San Antonio Zoological Gardens & Aquarium
ATTN: Human Resources Department
3903 N. St. Mary's Street
San Antonio, TX 78212
(210) 734-7291 Fax

 

Download the Zoo's Employment Application (PDF)

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