School and Community Programs Educator

Philadelphia Zoo works to fulfill our mission as an animal care organization, as a resource to schools and families, and as an ark and advocate for endangered animals around the world.

What makes the Zoo a unique place to work? Whether you are involved with caring for animals, educating our visitors or working in a behind-the-scenes position in administration, maintenance or garden services, all of our positions share our institutional mission, purpose, and core values.

Who We Are Looking For:

Under the general direction and support of the Director of School and Community Partnerships and direct supervision of the School and Community Programs Manager; the School and Community Programs Educator (SCPE) leads the facilitation and day to day operations of the West Philadelphia Zoo Scholars teen workforce development program and provides general support to all programs in the School and Community Programs portfolio**. The SCPE will support the recruitment, administration and growth of youth programming at the Philadelphia Zoo with a focus on the West Philadelphia Zoo Scholars program as priority. The SCPE will also support the continued growth and implementation of the Zoo’s youth programming when the audience is K-12 and/or college students and interns of all ages. The SCPE will support all programming formats as they take place virtually, on site at the Zoo and on site at local community institutions. This position will also assist the Conservation & Education Department with their overall function, and support all standard Zoo functions as required.

What You Will Do:

• Supports the implementation of the West Philadelphia Zoo Scholars program including recruitment, facilitation, communications and scheduling for 10-12th grade cohorts.
• Partners with multiple Zoo staff to implement and strengthen career pipelines for local residents and teens into the Philadelphia Zoo and Zoo industry in general.
• Supports the Volunteer Manager with internship programming at the Philadelphia Zoo from design, recruitment, management and execution for multiple departments year-round.
• Assists with the facilitation of all K-12 programs at the Zoo including leading orientations, workshops, trainings, career exposure opportunities with external guests, field trips and other events engaging youth as necessary.
• Oversees recruitment, attendance, performance, and participation records for all youth program participants with a focus on the Zoo’s hyperlocal community and school partners.
• Ensures youth participants have the information and resources necessary to attend programming and engage to their fullest potential.
• Communicates with students and families via phone, email, Discord and social media; keeps Manager informed of issues; handles any performance or attendance issues that arise.
• Serves as a mentor to youth program participants.
• Advocates for needs of youth program participants as necessary whether related or unrelated to program objectives.
• Assists with planning and implementing group workshops on conservation, life-skills and leadership skills topics and utilizes multiple strategies of facilitation to maintain consistent engagement.
• Collaborates with multiple external partners to support youth programing at the Zoo including John Heinz Wildlife Refuge, the Camden Adventure Aquarium, the Discovery Center, Philadelphia public schools, etc.
• Collaborates with various Zoo department leaders to engage Zoo staff in youth programming with a focus on career exposure workshops and potential mentoring opportunities for youth and Zoo staff.
• Works with Impact, Measurement and Evaluation Associate to track metrics of youth programs as required.
• Assists Manager with any other aspects of program management as needed within the Conservation Education department.

What This Role Requires:

• Work experience with young adults as teacher, educator, counselor or other leadership role responsible for youth safety and educational outcomes.
• General knowledge of conservation and environmental justice topics and strategies.
• Experience with and knowledge of college and career actions and strategies that promote career exploration and college enrollment of current local, Philadelphia high school students.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and sustain effective working relationships with peers and subordinates. Ability to work effectively with diverse personalities.
• Excellent presentation skills with a strong knowledge of both formal and informal presentation techniques.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to interact effectively with teens and develop trusting relationships.
• Sense of humor.
• Genuine love and affinity for animals.
• Able to commit to average of 40 hours weekly during the following schedule: Tuesday – Saturday; 9:00am – 5:00pm. Schedule may also include holidays, additional weekend dates and evenings as necessary for programming and Zoo operations.
• Reliable access to travel to and from school sites, zoo and local community institutions will be required.

Knowledge and Abilities Preferred:

• Experience serving as main point of contact for groups of young adults in an educational setting.
• Experience participating in and/or facilitating environmental education, natural science, STEM curriculum or related field.
• Experience working with or in a Zoo or equivalent setting.
• Experience living and/or working in Philadelphia is preferred.
• Teaching or counseling experience in a middle or high school; teaching in traditional science department or other education setting of a museum, zoo, nature center or equivalent institution.
• Experience writing lesson plans, activities and formal or informal programming for multiple age ranges in traditional or non-traditional education setting.
• Animal handling experience is a plus. This position may be trained on animal handling techniques and procedures in order to facilitate animal programs with youth.
• Drivers license and experience driving large vehicles preferred.

Physical and Medical Requirements:

• Satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks including; criminal records and PA Child abuse clearance. FBI clearance required for all non-PA residents.
• Successful completion of a TB and drug screen.
• Covid-19 Vaccination required.
• Must be able to work around plants and animals and able to work outside in varying weather conditions.
• Reasonable physical condition required; at minimum must be able to stand and walk for long periods of time.