Position Type: EducationDate Posted: 3/3/2026Location: Zoo KnoxvilleJob Description
Job Title: Part-time Educator: Homeschool
DEPARTMENT: Education Date Written / Updated: March 3, 2026
Reports To: Homeschool Coordinator Status: Permanent Part-time
Supervises: Interns/Volunteers Pay rate: $15/hour
SUMMARY OF POSITION:
The Permanent Part-time Educator position will primarily be responsible for presenting fun and engaging curriculum-based science programs with live animals at the zoo. Working hours will vary, but will generally be 28 hours per week year round depending on program needs. The position will support the Education Department's vision to create conservation leaders and to inspire and empower community action for wildlife and wild places.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
As a team-oriented and positive member of the Education Department this position will be responsible for:
- Being a presenter primarily for homeschool and science day classes at the zoo, but also other formal and informal on-site and off-site programs as needed.
- Assisting the Homeschool Coordinator in coordinating and preparing for homeschool and science day programs. Weekly tasks may include learning curriculum, adjusting PowerPoints and worksheets, shopping for materials, class prep, and collecting biofacts, props and animals before the programs.
- Presenting homeschool and science day programs, including conducting experiments, handling ambassador animals and interpreting content in an engaging, knowledgeable and inspiring way.
- Cleaning the classroom area after each program and returning all biofacts, props, and animals including cleaning animal carriers.
- Communicating with the Homeschool Coordinator about successes, problems and concerns related to students and programs.
- Communicating and coordinating with the Homeschool Coordinator to determine program and work schedule, including committing to specific dates as needed.
- Coordinating with program animal staff and education staff to schedule animal handling training sessions.
- Teaching spring and fall break camp. Assisting and substituting for summer camp.
- Assisting with special events and media interviews.
- Assisting with other Education Department programs and staff as needed.
- Working with and supervising interns and/or volunteers as needed.
- Other duties as needed or assigned by supervisor or curator.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Able to manage groups of all ages while maintaining a positive environment.
- Excellent interpersonal, organization and communication skills, both oral and written.
- Able to work independently as well as with a team.
- Able to be flexible and handle unexpected situations.
- Knowledge of basic biology/ecology (food chains, predator/prey relationships, etc.)
- Comfortable interacting with and presenting programs to children, adults, large and small groups and audiences with diverse backgrounds and needs.
- Comfortable working with and supervising adult and youth volunteers.
- Able to learn and prepare to present new science-based curriculum quickly.
- Able to research, understand and interpret science concepts in an engaging fashion.
- Comfortable working in Microsoft Office/365 and Google Suite
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Minimum of high school diploma. College degree or equivalent science background preferred.
- Experience teaching children in a classroom, camp or professional informal learning setting.
- Comfortable working with and handling a wide variety of animals including small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. Some experience highly preferred.
- Must be 21 years of age and possess a valid driver's license, insurance and meet Zoo Knoxville driving record requirements.
- Able to communicate effectively in English in person, by telephone, text, 2-way radio and e-mail.
- Able to drive a variety of vehicles alone, up to a full-sized van, for up to 2 hours at a time, at night and in surrounding states.
- Able to navigate using written directions and GPS.
- Able to work indoors and outdoors in hot, cold and wet conditions.
- Available to work weekends and evenings as needed.
- Able to safely negotiate stairs while carrying a loaded dolly.
Don't meet every requirement? At Zoo Knoxville we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
As an employee of Zoo Knoxville, you must possess English communication skills as well as the ability to communicate using a 2-way radio, email and telephone. The position hours vary depending on business needs and will require weekend and some holiday shifts. Depending on the specific tasks, this position will be required to work within close proximity of exotic and domestic animals and must be aware that there are dangers inherent in working under those conditions. Zoo Knoxville is committed to maintaining a drug free workplace and as such each employee must pass a pre-employment drug screen.
