DescriptionJob Title: Education Evaluation Manager
FLSA Status: Exempt
Hours: Full-time (typically Monday - Friday with occasional flexibility required)
Pay Rate: Range starts at $55,477/year
Summary:
The Education Evaluation Manager assesses the effectiveness of education and engagement programs in achieving mission-aligned behavior change, conservation outcomes, and learning goals at both Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium and Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park. This role supports continuous improvement across a wide range of offerings, including backstage experiences, camps, classes, overnight programs, and school partnerships.
The Education Evaluation Manager designs and conducts social science research and evaluation using both qualitative and quantitative methods, translating findings into actionable insights for leadership, educators, and partners. This position plays a key role in ensuring the Zoo and Wildlife Safari Park are meeting their mission, strategic priorities, and Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA)-aligned standards for education and conservation impact.
The ideal candidate has strong interpersonal skills, experience with research and evaluation methods, comfort working in active visitor environments, and a high level of attention to detail. This position reports directly to the Vice President of Education.
Duties and Responsibilities (include, but are not limited to):
Program Evaluation & Research
- Design and implement evaluation plans to assess learning, behavior change, and conservation outcomes for education and engagement programs across Zoo and Wildlife Safari Park sites
- Utilize a range of appropriate data collection methodologies, including but not limited to:
- Visitor observation
- Tracking and timing studies
- Surveys (on-site and digital)
- Panel and intercept interviews
- Focus groups
- Embedded evaluation techniques
- Evaluation prototyping and rapid-cycle testing
- Ensure evaluation approaches are appropriate for diverse audiences in informal education environments
Data Analysis & Reporting
- Process, analyze, and interpret qualitative and quantitative data using accepted social science practices
- Develop clear, accessible reports and presentations for institutional leadership, education staff, funders, and external partners
- Translate findings into actionable recommendations to improve program design, delivery, and visitor experience
- Contribute evaluation findings to grant reports, accreditation materials, and strategic planning efforts
Collaboration & Leadership
- Serve as an internal consultant to Zoo and Wildlife Safari Park education, conservation, and guest experience teams on evaluation design and outcomes measurement
- Collaborate with external partners, including schools, universities, conservation organizations, and AZA colleagues
- Act as the primary liaison to contracted evaluation or research consultants
- Lead, train, and supervise a small team of part-time staff, interns, or volunteers supporting evaluation activities
Institutional & Professional Practice
- Support proposal development for new evaluation and research initiatives
- Ensure ethical research practices, including informed consent, data privacy, and, when applicable, IRB or human-subjects review processes
- Maintain awareness of emerging best practices in museum, zoo, aquarium, and wildlife park informal education evaluation
- Represent the Zoo in professional evaluation, education, or conservation forums as appropriate
Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Preferred advanced degree in a relevant field such as social sciences, education, museum studies, or a related area; equivalent experience may be considered
- Preferred formal coursework or demonstrated experience in evaluation and/or research methodology
- Preferred experience working in an AZA-accredited facility or other informal education institution
- Knowledge of best practices in evaluation for museums, zoos, aquariums, or similar visitor-centered environments
- Strong analytical, writing, and presentation skills
- Ability to work effectively with diverse audiences, including staff, visitors, volunteers, and external partners
- Proficiency with data collection tools and statistical or qualitative analysis software preferred
Candidates might be (depending on position) required to pass a pre-employment background check, drug test, negative skin tuberculosis test, and possess a valid drivers license with a good history.
Working Conditions/Physical Effort:
- Must be able to travel long distances across the Zoo
- Will sometimes work extended/odd hours including weekends, holidays and some night programs
- Physical effort may be required
- Work is performed indoors and outdoors, under all weather conditions
- Potential for up to 2 days per week working from home, pending business operations
DISCLAIMER
The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain, nor is it to be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and objectives required of employees assigned to this job.
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer as defined by the EEOC.
