Job Description:

Job Title: Manager of School and Family Programs

Department: Education

FLSA Status: Exempt

Job Status: Full-time

Job Purpose: The School and Family Program team creates meaningful learning experiences for all ages that generate a deeper connection to nature, our animal ambassadors, our mission and our work to conserve species. Each of these experiences strives to empower participants to develop a lifelong connection to the Zoo and advance its mission through their own appreciation and conservation of wildlife and wild places. The Manager of School and Family Programs is primarily responsible for the planning, development, implementation and evaluation of all programs as part of the School and Family Programs suite, specifically: School Programs, Youth and Family Learning, Community and Camp Programs and Educator Professional Learning. This position oversees a team that includes: Supervisors of the above areas as well as full and part time instructors, and any seasonal support needed. In addition, the Manager of School and Family Programs works within the Education team as well as with all Zoo departments to provide support where needed to assist with on-ground and off-ground programming. This position is a member of the Zoo Education Leadership team, which provides strategic direction and support for the entire team.

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JOB FACTORS:

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Oversee all aspects of School and Family Programs including program development, training, implementation, evaluation and data management and evaluation.
• Represent the Education Department in regards to collaborative planning for Zoo events and programs.
• Ensure quality of all educational programming, through staff development, guest feedback and formal/informal evaluation
• Coordinate, create, implement and conduct continuing education and professional development for all team members
• Maintain Impact and other data as needed for reporting and evaluation
• Collaborate to develop and manage School and Family Program budget
• Ensure all programming reflects the best practices in teaching and learning as well as harnesses the unique value added that Zoo Atlanta brings to the market.
• Create and implement program impact studies: support any other studies implemented by other teams internal/external as needed.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships across school districts and with other professionals in cultural institutions.
• Maintain a working knowledge of current research, models, and philosophy of education/interpretation in schools/museums/zoos/etc
• Collaboration with marketing and PR to market programs as well as increase uptake of programs
• In collaboration with the Senior Director of Education, coordinate any Education Department grants
• Support the Education Department’s programs, and other education needs
• Must be willing to support Zoo Atlanta’s Vision, Mission and Values statement

Experience and Skills:

QUALIFICATIONS:

• 5 years’ of program coordination required
• 2 years’ experience supervising staff
• Classroom teaching and curriculum development experience required (formal or informal)
• Experience developing and delivering professional development for teachers preferred
• Experience working for a Zoo/museum setting preferred
• Must possess strong leadership capabilities and the ability to motivate and encourage others
• Strong awareness and appreciation of diversity
• Excellent both verbal and written communication skills
• Must be comfortable interacting with the public and the ability to be sensitive and considerate to all people
• Ability to self-start and multi-task and be comfortable working in a fast-paced work environment
• Working knowledge of current research, models, and philosophy of education/interpretation in schools/museums/zoos/etc
• Computer skills, minimum the ability to utilize Microsoft Office as well as other tools used in the management of the programs
• Must be comfortable interpreting, handling and transporting various animal species, including reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates
• Should posses an appreciation of wildlife, environmental education and support the mission and values of Zoo Atlanta
• Zoo Atlanta is open to the public 363 days out of the year, therefore, all positions at Zoo Atlanta may require employees to work weekends, holidays and evenings

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Education, Biology, Psychology or related field.

• Certificates/Licenses/Registrations:

• Driving Requirements: This position requires occasional driving, must possess a valid driving license.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: This position requires walking, sitting and standing for long periods of time.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: This position will spend approximately 20% outdoors and 70% indoors. This position will require frequent walking, occasional physical lift and carry 20 lbs, some bending. Must be comfortable working in inclement weather conditions.

MISC: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Therefore, the employee may be required to perform other reasonably related duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor or other management. The company reserves the right to revise or change job duties as business requirements dictate. It is mutually agreed that this job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

Zoo Atlanta is an EOE and provides a Smoke-free and Drug-free Work Environment