Community Conservation Specialist

This is your opportunity to join a dynamic Education team at Woodland Park Zoo. Applications are now being accepted for a grant-funded, temporary, limited duration (2.5 year) position as a Community Conservation Specialist. There is one part-time (average of 20 hours per week), non-benefited position to be filled at this time.

SUMMARY

The Community Conservation Specialist is responsible for developing and implementing community-based components of the Coexisting with Carnivores program, which supports human-carnivore coexistence in areas where urban and wildlands interface. The Specialist, working in collaboration with staff from departments across the zoo and partners in the community, will plan, organize, facilitate and implement activities to engage community members in gaining ecological understanding about local carnivores and enacting community-driven solutions to proactively address issues of coexistence. These activities will include community surveys, community events, print and digital communications, neighborhood discussions, engaging volunteers in remote camera trapping to monitor carnivores, and supporting neighborhood groups in enacting solutions to prevent human-carnivore conflict.

The ideal candidate will be a collaborative, detail-oriented and enthusiastic professional with experience in community engagement (including event planning and meeting facilitation) and in science or conservation education, communications and/or advocacy.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plan, organize and implement large and small community-based events to facilitate community engagement.
• Develop and implement community engagement and conservation education programs and activities.
• Support, guide and facilitate community-driven problem solving activities and implementation of solutions.
• Assist with development and delivery of training to engage volunteers in collecting remote camera trapping data. Support volunteers in data management of remote camera photos.
• Perform logistical support duties to include: register participants, process payments, schedule activities, and maintain records and databases.
• Assist with the evaluation of programs and activities, including data collection and analysis.
• Assist with collection and reporting of statistics and writing reports.
• Maintain program props, materials and supply inventories.
• Assist with research, development, revision and dissemination of program/project supporting and promotional materials.
• Lead/mentor presenters, volunteers and interns.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to develop and present creative, mission-driven programming to a wide variety of audiences and to mentor presenters, interns and volunteers
• Ability to work effectively as a team member, and independently with little supervision.
• Possess general knowledge of natural history and conservation.
• Flexibility in dealing with program delivery and changes in deadlines and operation protocol.
• Ability to work a non-standard/flexible schedule, which may include weekends and evenings.
• Commitment to the mission of the zoo and the institutions’ Core Values.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree (B. A. or B.S.) from an accredited four-year college or university and experience in community engagement and science/conservation education, communication or advocacy; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Valid US Driver’s License

CUSTOMER SERVICE SKILLS

Must be enthusiastic and customer service oriented and deal with clients in a courteous and professional manner. Enjoy working with the public including diverse populations and people of all ages.

COMPUTER SKILLS

Proficient with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. Must be able to work with customized databases and technology, and conduct internet research.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from staff, customers, zoo leadership and the general public. Ability to speak a second language, preferably Spanish or Chinese, is a plus.

MATHEMATICAL ABILITY

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret graphs.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to define and solve problems; collect, analyze and interpret data; evaluate resources and draw valid conclusions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds while handling, lifting, and storing program supplies, kits, and bulk food supplies. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear, and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is frequently required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl while setting up displays, transporting props and materials.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is frequently moderate to loud.

APPLICATION DIRECTIONS

Applications are only accepted online through our Jobs page at www.zoo.org; no other forms of application will be accepted. Cover letter and resume are REQUIRED when applying for this position. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applications are due prior to 12:00 AM on the posted Close date (i.e. by 11:59 PM the evening before).

Woodland Park Zoo is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment on any basis including race, color, age, sex, religion, national origin, disability, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, or gender identity/expression.