Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

1. Plans and coordinates education programs such as group outreach programs, early childhood classes, Zoo sleepover programs, on-site classes, animal shows, summer camps, scout programs, and other educational recreational programs.
2. Conducts presentations at the Zoo, schools, and civic groups using education animals and other exhibits, and utilizing the Zoo’s resources to enhance public understanding and appreciation of wildlife and support for conservation of endangered species.
3. Participates in the development and designs of the educational curriculum content of programs, displays, signage, and written material for appropriateness and accuracy of data.
4. Maintains liaison and coordinates education activities with area schools, school districts, and community groups.
5. Handles, trains, and cares for domestic and exotic animals in the Zoo’s animal collection professionally and safely.
6. Provides enrichment activities and performs animal behavioral training for the animals used in education programs.
7. Participates in developing training protocol for animal education handling processes.
8. Promotes cooperative relationships with conservation and other concerned groups including zoos, museums, parks, educational institutions, and organizations.
9. Provides information and referrals to participants and the community regarding activities and services available, including developing and disseminating publicity.
10. Assists with selection and training of class instructors and volunteers as needed.

Competencies

1. The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history. Desirable competencies for this position include:

Job Expertise:

1. Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies, and federal and state rules and regulations.
2. Knowledge of safety principles for working with domestic and non-domestic animals.
3. Knowledge of principles and practices regarding proper positive reinforcement training.
4. Skill in animal training, husbandry, and management.
5. Skill in managing audiences of all ages while safely handling domestic and non-domestic animals.
6. Skill in delivering, engaging, entertaining, and conservation education-based presentations to small and large groups of people.
7. Ability to present and supervise engaging animal shows, science-based classes, and other educational programs for all ages (infant-adult).
8. Ability to safely handle animals, enter zoo exhibits, and perform animal husbandry tasks. Note, strong odors and possible allergens may be encountered at work assignment location.  

Coaching: Provides guidance, opportunities, and motivation to develop and strengthen knowledge, skills, and competencies to improve employee’s capabilities.

Communication Skills: Communicates and listens effectively and responds in a timely, effective, positive, and respectful manner; written reports and correspondence are accurate, complete, current; well-organized, legible, concise, neat, and in proper grammatical form.

Computer Skills: Experienced with common business computer applications including but not limited to: MS Outlook, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Access, and MS Excel.

Creativity: Addresses objectives and problems while questioning traditional assumptions/solutions in order to generate creative ideas and new ways of doing business; exhibits creativity and innovation when contributing to organizational and individual objectives; seeks out opportunities to improve, streamline, reinvent work processes.

Customer Service: Demonstrates the ability to anticipate customers' needs and deliver services effectively and efficiently in a timely, accurate, respectful, and friendly manner.

Multi-Tasking: Can handle multiple projects and responsibilities simultaneously; has handled a wide variety of assignments in past and/or current position(s).

Problem Solving: Approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue; determines the significance of problem(s); collects information; uses logic and intuition to arrive at decisions or solutions to problems that achieve results.

 
Qualifications
 

Education: Completion of high school or equivalent (General Educational Development (GED) Certificate or California Proficiency Certificate).

Experience: Three (3) years (equivalent to 6,240 hours) experience providing animal educational services in a zoo, science center, museum, or animal care facility.

Acceptable Substitution: Two (2) years of college coursework (equivalent to 60 semester units/90 quarter units) in zoology, biology, ecology and conservation or closely related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the three (3) years experience. There will be no substitute for at least one (1) year experience of providing animal educational services in a zoo, science center, museum, or animal care facility

License/Certificates:

1. Possession of valid California Driver's License, or ability to obtain within 2 months of hire.
2. Possession of valid First Aid Certificate, or ability to obtain within 2 months of hire.
3. Possession of valid CPR Certificate, or ability to obtain within 2 months of hire.

Employment Eligibility: Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of San Jose will NOT sponsor, represent, or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.

Background Check: Candidates will be required to undergo a background check, including a criminal history records check, before being considered for a position.

Selection Process

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to the Job Specific Questions. Only the candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews, one of which may include a practical/writing exercise.

You will be prompted to answer the following job-specific questions during the online application process. Please note that there is a 4,000-character limit, including spaces for each text response.   

1. Please describe your experience in environmental/conservation education, zoo keeping, biology, or related work? Include place(s) of employment and position title(s), length of each employment (start/end date), average hours worked per week in each position, and a brief description of your experience. Your response should be consistent with your work history.

2. Please describe your experience writing and teaching science-based curriculums to children. Describe education programs and curriculum development you managed, audiences served, and topics the curriculum focused on. Be sure to provide specifics for the curriculums you were responsible for writing, including the age of the audience, size and type of program, and any conservation topics that were included.

3. Please describe your experience working with domestic and exotic animals. Include the length of time you worked with each species (please provide dates) and in what capacity (i.e. husbandry, training, presentations, etc.). 

4. Please describe your computer skills with common business computer applications (ie. MS Outlook, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Access, and/or MS Excel). Provide an example of your experience in using a computer program and for what purpose.

You must answer all job-specific questions to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration.