Birmingham Zoo Inc Hiring for Vice President, Education at Birmingham, AL Full Time

The Director of Education advances the mission of Birmingham Zoo, Inc. (BZI) by guiding the planning, developing, implementing and evaluating of all educational initiatives, both on Zoo grounds and in the community. Provides strong leadership to the team responsible for the development and implementation of excitingly diverse educational programs for multiple audiences. Provides strategic leadership across the Zoo by collaborating with key stakeholders to achieve BZIs mission and vision.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Directs the development, implementation and evaluation of education programming. Oversees numerous school, fee-based, grand-funded and special audience programs.

Directs the development, implementation and evaluation of community outreach and programming.

Provides leadership to help catalyze staff thought and creativity in identifying audience needs, and developing educational activities to meet them.

Provides overall vision, leadership and strategic direction for the education department, and ensures effective coordination and communication both within and across departments.

Works closely with all staff and volunteers to develop and promote a holistic approach to education for BZI.

Ability and regularly communicates the Zoos mission and vision to diverse audiences

Serves as a key person for developing and maintaining relationships in a broad range of organizations including community-based organizations, informal education institutions, schools, and government agencies.

Facilitates partnerships with appropriate collaborators in Birmingham area, state-wide, nationally and internationally as appropriate.

Works on collaborative projects and activities that fit within the zoos mission, vision and education strategy.

Develops strategies to keep department current on educational trends, concepts and methods.

Actively contributes in the planning, design and implementation of new exhibits and facilities, serving as a champion for innovative and inspiriting educational experiences.

Works with members of the Senior Team in development of the zoos strategic plan, educational mission, revenue generation, and marketing strategies for audience growth and outreach.

Provides strategic leadership in the development and professional growth of zoo staff.

Manages assigned staff, including selection, job assignment, training and development, evaluation, salary review, promotion, discipline and separation.

In collaboration with the Development Department, seeks, develops, procures and administers grants to support education and outreach programs.

Oversees development and management of departmental budgets.

Attends full Board Meetings and interacts with all board members to achieve the mission and vision of the Zoo.

Other duties as assigned

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Manager of Learning

On-site Interpretation Manager

Volunteer Manager

SAFETY ANALYSIS

The Director of Education is impacted by hazardous exposures common to an office environment as well as public safety in an outdoor environment and ride operations. Some of the following exposures will occur daily:

Hazards associated with train and carousel and other attraction operations

Hazards associated with maintenance trades

Hazardous waste management

The proper use and understanding of cleaning agents

Thorough understanding of guest safety protocols, particularly with young children.

Specific training and procedures will be provided, designed to maintain safety of people as the highest priority of the zoo followed by the safety of the animal collection.

The use and understanding of a variety of personal safety equipment is mandatory.

All staff members of the Zoo are required to be familiar with the Zoos overall safety policies as outlined in the staff handbook as well as being responsible for reporting any injury immediately to the first aid department, Safety Manager, or Manager on Duty (MOD).

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a staff member to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the Vice President of Education should expect:

Use of hands, fingers, tools or controls.

Frequently required to stand; walk; sit; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, bend, crawl, crouch and talk or hear.

Routinely lift and/or move up to 25-30 pounds.

Requires frequent walking for long distances

Exposure to wet surfaces.

Frequent exposure to the elements can be expected.

Education and work experience

Degree (or equivalent experience) in Education, Biology, Environmental/Natural Sciences, Public Administration or related discipline

Minimum of ten (10) years professional experience in informal/formal education preferably in a zoo, museum or related setting

Minimum of five (5) years experience in a professional management or administrative position which must have included responsibility for organization structure, staffing, resolution of organizational conflicts, formulations of budgets and operations evaluation

Skills and knowledge

Deeply knowledgeable about a variety of pedagogical strategies for free-choice learning in informal settings

Exceptional leadership skills and demonstrated ability to foster teamwork within and across teams, and across multiple disciplines

A record of operating results sufficient to demonstrate the candidates ability to plan, organize and direct work programs in an effective manner, and to supervise and evaluate other professional and support staff members, as well as volunteers.

Exceptional communication, interpersonal and team facilitation skills

Ability to demonstrate critical thinking and analytical skills required for strategic planning and revenue maximization.

Ability to cultivate and maintain effective working relationships with a diversity of groups including board members, Zoo staff and the public

Demonstrated leadership involvement in industry organizations (AZA, IZEA, etc.)

Competency in computer skills.

Ability to impart both a sense of purpose as well as a sense of urgency.

Other requirements

Must have a current valid drivers license with no prior traffic violations (within the last five years).

Must be First aid/CPR certified, or willing to be certified.

Must have current negative TB test and provide documentation, or be willing to have a TB test.

Must be vaccinated for COVID-19 and provide documentation.

POSITION TYPE AND HOURS OF WORK

Full time

Mainly weekdays; however, weekends, occasional evening work and holidays may be required.

Will be included in the Manager on Duty (MOD) rotation