Overview

Denver Zoo is a leader in animal care, wildlife conservation, and education. We are passionate about our commitment to excellence in support of our mission to inspire communities to save wildlife for future generations.

Denver Zoo honors our animals, staff, and guests by conducting ourselves at the highest level of integrity.

Our staff is a dedicated and diverse group of individuals committed to providing quality care to our animals while creating moments of awe for guests. If you are a like-minded individual and thrive in a dynamic, fast paced and innovative culture, Denver Zoo is the place for you!

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • Work in partnership with co-Conservation Engagement Programs Manager to develop, administer, and evaluate conservation engagement and education guest programming, relevant materials, and trainings that are implemented by full-time, part-time, and seasonal staff, and Guest Experience volunteers.
  • Both Conservation Engagement Program Managers are responsible for programs in an assigned Zone of the zoo. Willingness to join forces, share responsibilities, communicate proactively and cross- support is a must to ensure a seamless guest experience throughout the campus.
  • Both Guest Engagement Programs Managers are expected to work as a team with the Conservation Interpretation and Resources Manager to co-vision personal and non-personal interpretive programming onsite, including exhibit storylines, content and theming.
  • Both Conservation Engagement Program Managers are expected to facilitate guest programs and staff and volunteer trainings as needed.
  • Partner with Animal Sciences, Guest Services and Operations, Maintenance, Campus Planning and Management, and External Relations teams to manage the development and implementation of a collective.
  • Ensure programs are aligned with zoo, divisional and departmental missions, values and processes, strategic plan and/or priorities.
  • Work with the Community Research and Evaluation team to evaluate programs that assess outcome achievement, program impact and regularly refer to evaluations for relevant and timely program adjustments.
  • Assist the Events team to help select and staff/schedule volunteers for guest engagement activities that promote the goals of each event, including Free Days.
  • Supports the exhibit design process for the Zoo’s Improvement Plan (ZIP), serving as GELE representative as required.

Departmental Leadership

  • As a member of the Conservation Engagement & Learning Experiences Department (CELE) leadership team, utilize big picture thinking, proactive problem solving and mentorship to contribute to the development and direction of the department, strategic plan, and mission-based programming. Serve as a role model for Denver Zoo’s One Zoo Team, especially CELE coordinators, specialists, educators, and volunteers.
  • Model cross-team support through helping to facilitate and advise CELE colleagues in other programming of the department.
  • Support departmental and zoo-wide professional development opportunities. Contribute to ROADMAP (Denver Zoo’s learning framework) trainings and mentoring.
  • Collaborate with corporate partner organizations as appropriate.

Staff and Volunteer Oversight & Growth

  • Partner with CELE managers to develop and lead a department with an emphasis on cross-programming support and matrix management. Provide guidance and mentorship for and development of CELE coordinator(s).
  • Consistently strive as a mentor for the CELE department to build a culture of trust, support, respect and cross-team integration.
  • Assist in hiring and supervising regular and variable part time staff.
  • Oversee the onboarding and ongoing professional needs of staff.
  • Develop and assist with the training and coaching of Guest Experience volunteers.

Budget Management, Reporting and Departmental Communications

  • Work with the Sr. VP for Conservation Engagement and Impact, Director of Conservation Engagement, and CELE managers to propose an annual budget, including both expenses and revenue. Oversee budget, revenue, and expenditures for a wide array of revenue-generating programs. Efficiently utilize resources and look for opportunities to improve processes.
  • Work with External Relations to develop creative promotion of programs.
  • Manage regular report processes, including compilation of and reporting of information to various audiences. Effectively utilize monetary resources to execute guest programming.
  • Write grant proposals and reports.

Other Responsibilities and Duties

  • Passion for Denver Zoo’s mission.
  • Able to provide direction and guidance to a diverse group of staff and volunteers.
  • Builds strategic alliances and encourages team member to partner with others outside of team/department.
  • Mentors staff with goal setting, accountability, results measurement and ensures all team members contribute actively and are engaged in team-based projects.
  • Ability to utilize backwards design principles and be outcome-driven in program development preferred.
  • Self-motivated and self-directed individual with the ability to provide leadership in a fast-paced environment while working on multiple projects both independently and on a team.
  • Develops timelines and action plans based on priorities; can adjust plans when necessary
  • Uses Microsoft Office 365 products to organize and manage projects and communication
  • Comfortable taking risks to try approaches and solutions that have not been tried before
  • Ability to commit to new ideas and activities that are innovative and feasible
  • Comfortable learning from failure
  • Set priorities in alignment with Inspire Awe:
    • Safety first, always
    • Care demonstrated through exceptional guest service
    • Connect with each guest utilizing ROADMAP in all programs and GIG strategies with guests
  • Demonstrate a commitment to Denver Zoo’s Sustainability Policies by adhering to all environmental, safety, & health regulations, procedures, and goals.
  • Act in accordance with Denver Zoo’s Core Values of: Welcoming, Curious, Courageous, Transformative and United in all interactions with staff, guest, volunteers, and vendors.
  • Participate in and provide support for departmental activities including: special events, temporary exhibits, Free Days, professional development opportunities, volunteer hiring and training, and departmental strategic planning.
  • Serve on committees and projects as requested.
  • Represent Denver Zoo to the community in a professional and positive manner.
  • Comply with all zoo policies and perform other supportive duties as needed.

Technical / Professional Requirements & Qualifications

  • Minimum two years of supervisory experience and proven leadership in a guest engagement/public programming environment.
  • Three to five years’ experience facilitating learning and interpretation in an informal science setting, especially for multigenerational audiences.
  • Demonstrated knowledge and dynamic skills in public interpretation, with a preference given to biological and conservation education.
  • Experience facilitating education programs for a diverse audience, in an informal learning environment such as, but not limited to, a zoo, aquarium, museum, park, historical site, and/or botanic garden.
  • Experience designing and developing education programs, especially for informal learning audiences
  • Experience training and coaching staff and volunteers in interpretation, program planning and development and delivery
  • Available to work weekends and weeknights as necessary. Flexibility a must.

Compensation

Range for this position is $4,074-$4,990 monthly.

Benefits

This is a full-time position with excellent benefits including medical, dental and vision benefits; life insurance; short term and long-term disability; 403(b) retirement plan; and vacation and sick leave.

Application Process and Timelines

Completed applications must be submitted by November 28, 2021Review of applications will begin immediately. Denver Zoo reserves the right to close the position prior to this date.