ANIMAL ENGAGEMENT EDUCATOR (FULL TIME)
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DEPARTMENT
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Conservation/Education
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CLASSIFICATION
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Non-Exempt
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REPORTS TO
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Animal Engagement Supervisor
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DIRECT REPORTS
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N/A
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| STARTING PAY |
$19.00/Hour |
POSITION DESCRIPTION:
The Animal Engagement Educator delivers interpretive educational content and maintains the highest standards of animal welfare for the ambassador animal collection. This position helps foster an inclusive and welcoming educational environment through various forms of programming both on and off site. Additionally, this position also provides daily care for the ambassador animals, which includes habitat maintenance/enhancement, diet preparation, enrichment, and training via operant conditioning.
POSITION DUTIES & ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
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Duties
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Percentage
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Interpretation and Educational Programs
- Enhances the guest experience by initiating conversations, assisting, answering questions, and educating about the ambassador animals.
- Implements inclusive teaching strategies, modifies interpretation styles, and incorporates learning models to provide a successful learning experience for all audiences.
- Showcases ability to work autonomously by pivoting during presentations, reading animals’ behavior, and using best judgement to make decisions regarding safety.
- Develops and delivers on and off-site educational programming primarily focused on camps held at the zoo and other community organizations.
- Maintains a general understanding of the animal collection, conservation projects and sustainability initiatives to effectively communicate appropriate conservation messaging to audiences.
- Embraces a variety of teaching and learning styles as appropriate for each program, such as co-teaching, independent teaching, project-based learning, and inquiry-based learning.
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65%
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Maintaining Ambassador Animal Welfare
Performs daily animal husbandry activities, including preparing diets and delivering animal feedings.
- Observing, recording, reporting, and attending to animal behavior, health, and welfare.
- Administering medications and assisting with various animal health procedures.
- Training animals for basic husbandry, presentation, and enrichment behaviors.
- Creating and implementing various enrichment items/strategies.
- Maintaining records
- Cleaning habitat and staff areas.
- Performing minor repairs and improvements.
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30%
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Assists education leadership in the development and enhancement of programs, including:
- Resource gathering and maintenance.
- Administrative support.
- Working to consistently improve knowledge of animal welfare, interpretation techniques and science education techniques.
- Assists in facilitating and implementing the Zoo and Aquarium’s mission, strategic plan, and core values.
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5%
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*This position may at times be requested to perform other duties or special projects as assigned, which are in the best interest of the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium.
*All employees must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily and, upon request, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- EDUCATION & FORMAL TRAINING:
- Bachelor’s degree, associate degree, or course work in education, biology, or related field desired.
- High school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) certificate accepted with at least 3 years of experience in a similar position.
- EXPERIENCE
- Previous experience in animal handling and knowledge of appropriate and safe handling techniques desired.
- Previous interpretation or other informal education experience desired.
- Previous zoo, aquarium, or museum related experience desired.
- Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office and audio-visual equipment.
- Strong presentation, verbal, and written communication skills.
- OTHER MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
- Must pass a background and drug screening.
- Must have valid driver’s license.
- Can move equipment weighing up to 50 pounds, with or without assistance. Assistance depending upon task.
- Must be willing to become CPR/First-Aid certified.
- Must have or be able to obtain negative TB test.
- Must be able to work a flexible schedule, including weekends, holidays and overnight/evening hours, in all weather extremes.
*Please be aware that this position will consistently have exposure to nuts and shellfish*
