Salary: $61,000/year (starting salary)

Ambassador Commitment: Create meaningful connections and inspire actions that will have a lasting impact on conservation.

Responsibilities: Sets the vision, direction, and strategic plan of the Education Division.  Maintains and ensures the quality of Riverbanks’ natural history and conservation education programs/presentations to expand the public’s understanding of Riverbanks Zoo & Garden as an educational and scientific resource. Directs and oversees the activities of the Education Division personnel and develops methods for improving departmental operations.  Accomplishes this by mentoring, managing, and providing inspired, forward-thinking, leadership and guidance to direct reports.

• Analyzes, recommends, implements and evaluates extensive and diversified conservation education programs for select target audiences, with emphasis on zoo and garden biology, worldwide flora and fauna, environmental issues, biological research and conservation practices.
• Oversees program coordinators as they research, initiate, and work with staff to create and facilitate high quality education programs that serve a diverse population of learners and guests through a variety of means.
• Supervises activities of program coordinators who manage school, early childhood, camp, teen, and public programs. Provides necessary information, support, and resources to help make their programs successful and maintain standards. Maintains accurate reports and evaluations of formal and informal program offerings.
• Responsible for hiring and training staff, scheduling, payroll/time keeping, and proactive management of employee relations. Evaluates and provides feedback to coordinators and instructors. Facilitates opportunities for professional development of staff.
• Cultivates and maintains a positive working environment. Effectively interacts and communicates with senior staff, employees, and volunteers. Builds and maintains strong working relationships with local and regional school districts, and keeps current with all state and national science education competency standards.
• Works with the animal division curators to develop and manage the program/ambassador animal collection. Works with the animal care & welfare and animal health divisions to oversee the care, welfare, husbandry and health of this collection.
• Collaborates with the Marketing Division to maintain a comprehensive graphics plan that includes updating and developing graphics and adding interpretive graphics for exhibits, while ensuring priorities align with Riverbanks’ Strategic Plan. Works with other departments to ensure that educational messaging is consistent throughout the zoo and garden. Stays current on trends in educational graphics language, layout, and materials. Assists in planning new zoo and garden exhibits.
• Works in partnership with the Guest Engagement team to ensure interpretive messaging in exhibits, programs, and at events is consistent with Riverbanks’ strategic plan and mission.
• Develops and administers grant applications. Maintains reports and meets deadlines to insure the success of grants and adherence to granting institutions’ standards and procedures.
• Participates in Riverbanks’ Green Team and other committees. Provides guidance regarding conservation education components for Riverbanks’ various conservation projects both locally and internationally. Involved in appropriate AZA committees and programs as well as other professional organizations.
• Leads the coordination of several education-related special events and assists with fundraisers and other after-hours functions, as needed.
• Interacts with guests and provides informal and programmed educational information, relative to zoo programs, husbandry, animal conservation, etc. Conducts tours and assists with public media and interviews as requested. Writes articles for Riverbanks’ magazine and other local and national publications.
• Develops, manages and monitors the departmental budget and related expenditures. Follows purchasing/procurement policies and procedures.
• Prepares and reviews various records and reports such as memorandums, letters, program reports, professional papers, articles, book requests, studbooks, employee performance appraisals, revenue/spending reports, survey forms, etc.
• Reports to the Chief Life Sciences Officer (CLSO).

Education and Experience: Master’s degree in Education, Biology or Wildlife Management, with three to five years of teaching experience in informal education. Minimum of three to five years of management/supervisory experience or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required skills, knowledge, and abilities.

The ideal candidate will enjoy working within a collaborative environment and be a team player who will productively engage with others at varying levels of seniority. Must have excellent communication, interpersonal and managerial skills. Must be able to handle multiple projects simultaneously and possess thorough knowledge of current computer applications to include MS Office Suite. Must possess or be eligible for a valid SC driver's license.