Beaversprite Coordinator
Description:
The Beaversprite Coordinator position requires a unique combination of skills. The coordinator will be responsible for organizing, facilitating, promoting (with zoo partnership), and evaluating content and presentations geared towards in-situ conservation education. They will also be responsible for tourism outreach within the local community and managing volunteer/community engagement at the site. Budgetary oversight will be required as well as identifying and implementing additional sources of revenue. Additionally, the coordinator will maintain the buildings, campsites, and grounds as directed.
The Beaversprite Coordinator is a member of the Utica Zoo’s education team reporting to the Education and Conservation Manager.
“Beaversprite” consists of the full 1300-acre property, encompassing Dorothy Richards’ home, the rental house, the visitor center, equipment barns, TentRR site, primitive camp sites, and all acreage in between.
Essential Duties, Skills, and Responsibilities:
General Duties Include:
- Promote, recruit, and facilitate educational programs for Beaversprite, focusing on the work of Dorothy Richards, the natural world, North American Beavers, and general conservation issues. Ambassador animals and biofacts may be utilized from the Utica Zoo for educational purposes.
- Facilitate nocturnal programming, day camps, family programming, and more, which will be included in outreach efforts.
- Create an evaluation plan that includes both quantitative and qualitative methods where appropriate to measure success and progress against stated goals. Additionally, secure and evaluate audience feedback to further tailor the programs to provide engaging information at the appropriate level.
- In partnership with the Utica Zoo education team, brainstorm and develop new high-quality nature and inquiry-based curricula for educational programs.
- Maintain an Animal Handling Certification through the Utica Zoo. The coordinator will be responsible for knowing and abiding by proper handling, transportation, presentation, and interaction protocols for a diverse collection of animals.
- Demonstrate a strong understanding of positive reinforcement training with ambassador animals.
- Safely and independently drive long distances within New York State to travel to program and outreach locations.
- Understand and employ best practices in conservation messaging to connect Beaversprite audiences to conservation issues, threats, and solutions with the goal of promoting environmental stewardship.
- Engage with the community, bringing awareness of Beaversprite and its overall mission.
- Monitor and clean the TentRR site, as well as developing and monitoring primitive campsites around the property.
- Coordinate with the UZ maintenance team for property upkeep, including trail maintenance, snow clearing, gardening, blazing, and raking, depending on season.
- Prepare regular written reports to the Utica Zoo Board of Directors and for grant and funding sources as required.
Other duties as assigned.
Education and Requirements:
Requirements:
- College degree in Life Sciences, Conservation Ecology, Interpretation, or related field.
- Experience working with a range of audience sizes and ages, including early childhood and seniors.
- Experience developing curricula.
- Ability to interact with a variety of constituencies, ages, and learning abilities while maintaining a positive and respectful attitude.
- Must be familiar with Next Generation Science and other NYS learning standards and have the knowledge and ability to craft programs that meet those standards.
- Excellent planning and organizational skills with the ability to balance and prioritize multiple tasks and requests. Meet deadlines in a timely and professional manner.
- Must successfully pass a background check and must have a valid, current driver’s license.
- Remain up to date with testing and vaccinations for the safety of the animals, including yearly TB testing offered through the zoo.
- Ability to lift up to 50lbs and participate in the physical activities required by the position.
SCHEDULE:
- 8 hour shift
- Day shift
- Some holidays
Compensation and Benefits:
Job Type: Full-time, non-exempt
Pay: Starting at $18/hour
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy: The Utica Zoo provides equal employment opportunities to all current employees and all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, natural origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
How to Apply:
Please send resume AND cover letter to HR@uticazoo.org OR fill out the application below
Applications also accepted through Indeed.