Education Program Manager at Fresno Chaffee Zoo in Fresno, CA

GENERAL PURPOSE

The Education Program Manager is responsible for cultivating a passionate team of educators who provide excellent experiences for all Zoo learners. They will ensure that Fresno’s Chaffee Zoo Corporation’s (FCZC) education programs are innovative and current to industry standards. This position is responsible for planning and coordinating educational programs, including camps, school programs, group tours, and other educational programs to further the mission and vision of the Fresno Chaffee Zoo Corporation.

Full-Time employees receive our comprehensive compensation package which includes 100% employer paid Medical/Dental/Vision, Employee Assistance Program, 401k, 10 Paid Holidays, Paid Sick and Paid Vacation time on an accrued basis. The pay range for this position is $70,304 - $82,230 per year. Offers will be based on the successful candidate's experience

ESSENTIAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Manages the Education Programs staff and daily operations of Education Programs for pre-K through 12th grade, family, and adult audiences to support zoo staff for programmatic and administrative tasks, striving for excellence and customer service, science literacy, productivity, diversity, and conservation behavior change.

• Manages the assessment, design, development, implementation, and evaluation of educational programs to deliver fun, memorable, and educational experiences utilizing school standards and evidence-based and effective practices such as next generation science standards, fostering empathy for animals and social emotional learning.

• Serves as Camp Director as needed.

• Manages the delivery of school partnership programs, including budget management and capacity capabilities, in collaboration with the Director of Learning.

• Ensures budget guidelines are followed, and all expenditures are approved per the budget.

• Ensures schedules for educational programs are developed and implemented.

• Ensures that customer payments for educational programs are accepted and tracked in accordance with accounting procedures.

• Ensures employees and volunteers are equipped with relevant, accurate knowledge of all Zoo collections.

• Responsible for keeping up with the best practices in educational programming, management and conservation science.

• Informs the Director of Learning of relevant staff, students or partner issues.

• Acts as core leader of the Education team, providing support, strategic thinking, and vision for the future of the department.

• Collaborates with the Conservation Interpretation Manager and the Volunteer Engagement Manager to provide additional management support to the education teams as needed.

• Serve as an example of quality customer service and de-escalation when interacting with the public.

• Acts as Incident Coordinator (IC) who assumes a coordinator role during on-ground emergencies.

• Ability to safely operate a vehicle for business purposes including but not limited to going to and from FCZC’s facilities and offsite.

• Perform additional responsibilities as assigned to support team and organizational goals.

MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Customarily and regularly exercises discretion and independent judgement during the workday. Actively demonstrates leadership through actions, reactions, decisions, and professional demeanor. Practices solution-based problem solving and learns from mistakes. Works with the team to find solutions and asks for help when you need it.

• Reports to meetings and activities fully present, prepared and punctual. Thoughtfully and respectfully prioritizes other’s time. Respond to emails and other communications in a timely manner. All written communication contains professional and proper language. Demonstrates follow through and is accountable for the management of the team.

• Manages payroll timekeeping for direct reports and oversees the implementation of wage and hour regulations for direct reports.

• Accountable for ensuring all direct reports submit any required training, documents, or other deliverables on time.

• Willingly engages the team and other Zoo staff and proves to be an inspirational leader. Actively create connections that encourage open and honest communication with all.

• Remains accessible to the Zoo staff by cell phone. Uses professional courtesy and only call/texts on day off in the event of an emergency.

• Provides regular performance feedback to reporting staff. Completes timely and appropriate written evaluations that highlight strengths and areas for improvement.

EDUCATION AND JOB QUALIFICATIONS

• A bachelor’s degree is required. Bachelor's degree in education, Animal Science, or related field highly preferred.

• Three (3) years’ minimum experience in formal classroom teaching, informal education, experiential education, and/or public speaking required.

• Two (2) years’ minimum experience managing a large team of 50 people is required.

• Two (2) years’ minimum experience with Microsoft Office suite is required.

• Two (2) years' experience in wildlife and conservation education is preferred.

• California driver's license, valid vehicle insurance, enrolled in the CA Employer Pull Notice program and successful completion of the FCZ Drivers Training Program required.

• Strong verbal and written English communications skills required. Bilingual (Spanish or Hmong) communication skills a plus.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

These are physical and mental requirements of the position as it is typically performed. Inability to meet one or more of these physical or mental requirements will not automatically disqualify a candidate or employee from the position. Upon request for reasonable accommodation, FCZC may be able to adjust or excuse one or more of these requirements, depending on the requirement, the essential functions to which it relates, and the proposed accommodation.

• Close visual acuity to perform an activity such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, viewing a computer terminal, and extensive reading.

• Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication (in person and via telephone), at normal speaking levels with or without correction.

• Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. The employee must convey

detailed or important spoken information to others in individual and small group settings.

• Hand and finger dexterity sufficient for typing and other administrative tasks.

• The employee is regularly required to lift and/or carry up to 10 pounds, and occasionally up to 25 pounds, and pull upwards of 40 pounds.

• This position requires them to walk approximately 5-8 miles occasionally.

• Must be able to bend, kneel, and stoop throughout the full shift.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• This position regularly works with others including Zoo executives and employees.

• This position works in close proximity with children and students of all ages at the Zoo and in classroom settings.

• The position primarily functions indoors, with frequent exposure to outdoor Zoo environments and external events.

• The employee may be exposed to environmental substances such as dust/dirt from Zoo grounds.

• The position works in close proximity to Zoo animals.

• Regular local travel and occasional out-of-town travel may be required.

• Ability to work extended hours, evenings, weekdays, weekends, and holidays.