• Job Description

  Req#: 29450

  Job Details

  Job Location: Phoenix Zoo - Phoenix, AZ

  Position Type: Full Time

  Salary Range: Undisclosed

  Description

  Department: Learning & Engagement
  Supervisor: Outreach Supervisor
  Supervises: None
  FLSA Status Full Time, Regular, Non-exempt
  Starting Pay Rate: $21.50/hour

  
  General Statement:
  The Programs Facilitator is an ambassador and educator for the ACNC and the Phoenix Zoo. This position is responsible for the facilitation of interpretive education programs on-site and offsite, for children, families and adults. Programs Facilitators support program design, development, and coordination and assist with other education programs and special events as needed.

  This position is trained and certified to handle Level II Ambassador Animals. These are animals that are safe and appropriate to bring to educational programs, such as non-venomous snakes, lizards, frogs, insects, and small mammals. Animal Handling includes presenting educational and entertaining presentations at Phoenix Zoo outreach programs (both live and virtual), camps, events, and birthday parties while following all animal handling protocols. This position may have the option to participate in Level III Animal Handling which includes animals such as raptors and larger reptiles and mammals.

  Programs Facilitator III must have availability for:

  1. Typical daytime shifts (8am-4pm, Monday-Friday).
  2. Some evening and weekend shifts, depending on program bookings.
  3. All mandatory meetings and trainings.

  
  
  Essential Duties:

  1. Provide quality guest service to both internal and external guests by maintaining a WILD (friendly, helpful, positive and professional) working attitude and appearance.
  2. Provide high quality guest experiences to audiences of various ages and sizes in alignment with an established curriculum/schedule.
  3. Maintain Ambassador Animal Handling Certification: Responsible for knowing and abiding by proper handling, transportation, presentation, and interaction protocols for a diverse collection of animals in preparation for and during programs. After completing animal handling training, must be able to pass a written and practical test to certify. Must re-certify each year to maintain animal handling certification.
  4. Facilitate and support independently, or as part of a team, various educational programs for children, families, and adults, including outreach (Live On Location, Virtual, and Booth Events), homeschool programs, Camp Zoo, Night Camp and more.
  5. Accurately and independently complete necessary administrative work to plan and confirm assigned Outreach programs.
  6. Especially during offsite programs, to the best of your ability, independently make decisions that ensure the safety of: yourself, your audience, other drivers on the road, the Ambassador Animals in your care, the Zoo vehicle, and other Zoo property.
  7. Provide interpretive support and guest engagement at interactive exhibits. Explain rules of exhibits to guests entering exhibits; educate guests by initiating discussions, answering questions and following best practices for exhibit interpretation, and model excellence in these skills for other employees and volunteers.
  8. Depending on daily needs, fill in where necessary to provide support, including working at an exhibit, conducting tours (including Guided Field Trip, Discovery or Backstage Adventure Tours), or driving the Safari Cruiser.
  9. In cooperation with the Outreach Supervisor and other department staff, assist in the development and planning process of programs as needed.
  10. Attend scheduled meetings and training for all department team members to become familiar with experiences, logistics and responsibilities.
  11. Work collaboratively with other staff members and departments to meet the Learning & Engagement Department’s overall goals and objectives.

  This is by no means an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, or working conditions associated with the job. Management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed when circumstances change (e.g. emergencies, changes in personnel, workload, rush jobs, or technological developments.)
  

  Qualifications

  
  

  1. High School diploma or equivalent.
  2. Excellent public speaking and presentation skills and the ability to learn, understand, and communicate conservation concepts and messages to audiences of all ages. Can evaluate an audience and tailor programs to provide information and entertainment at an appropriate level.
     1. Existing knowledge about education, ecology, conservation and biology and interest in increasing knowledge in these areas preferred.
     2. Experience working with children in an educational setting (formal or informal) preferred.
  3. Personable, responsible, and energetic, with the ability to initiate discussions and effectively communicate with all age levels through good listening skills, friendliness, enthusiasm, positive attitude and humor.
  4. Can effectively and respectfully communicate with a diverse audience and teammates (including all age levels, cultures, neurodiversity, and level of abilities).
  5. Problem solving experience and the ability to make decisions and communicate in a calm, professional manner during a high-stress situation.
  6. Able to give and receive constructive feedback with a growth mindset and solution-oriented approach.
  7. Ability to work a flexible schedule including weekdays, weekends, holidays, and some evenings.
  8. Excellent time management and guest service skills.
  9. Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to work independently and in a team environment.
  10. Ability to perform all duties in an outdoor environment even during extremes of weather.
  11. Ability to lift up to 30 pounds; regularly bend, crouch, and kneel; stand and walk for extended periods of time; work in both indoor and outdoor environments.
  12. Possession of valid driver’s license.
  13. Ability to pass pre-employment background check, drug test, DMV check, clear annual TB test, and obtain an IVP Fingerprint Clearance card and Food Handler’s License within 1 month of hire date.
  14. A requirement of this position is the ability to deliver programming at health care facilities. Accordingly, applicants may be asked to provide official proof of vaccination for COVID-19 and/or other vaccines as determined necessary by the health care facility where programming is conducted. These requirements are established in alignment with facility protocols and regulations to help protect vulnerable populations and ensure a safe working environment. As an equal opportunity employer, we will provide accommodations to individuals who cannot be vaccinated in accordance with applicable law.

  Programs Facilitator III Rubric
  	Excellent	Acceptable	Needs Improvement
  Cover Letter	Applicant submits a cover letter that introduces themselves and explains why their skills/experience and passion match the position and the Phoenix Zoo’s mission.	Applicant submits a cover letter that introduces themselves and shows enthusiasm for the position.	Applicant does not submit a cover letter. A cover letter is required to be considered for this position.
  Resume	Applicant submits a resume that shows how their relevant experience matches the skills needed for this position. Relevant experience can include work, volunteer and/or school experience working with children, adults, and/or in an educational setting.	Applicant submits a resume or fills out the work history portion of the application that shows relevant experience. Relevant experience can include work, volunteer and/or school experience working with children, adults, and/or in an educational setting.	Applicant does not submit any form of work history OR work history is not relevant and candidate does not explain how their skills would make them successful in this position.
  References	Applicant provides an email and phone number for a former direct supervisor who has already been informed that we may be contacting them.	Applicant provides email and phone number for an individual from a professional setting (job, school, volunteer work) and explains why a direct supervisor is not available as a reference.	Applicant does not provide adequate contact information for a reference, only gives information for personal references, or does not provide any references.
  Skills and/or Experience	Applicant describes skills and/or experience working with children, adults, and/or in an educational setting. Applicant can explain how those skills will make them successful in this role.	Applicant lists skills and/or experience working with children, adults, and/or in an educational setting. OR Applicant can explain how their current skill set would be successful in this position.	Applicant does not have any experience working with children, adults, or in an educational setting. Applicant does not explain how their current skill set would be successful in this position.
  Animal Handling	Applicant must be comfortable with handling all types of animals.		Applicant is not comfortable with one or more of the animals listed.
  Education Program or Product	Applicant describes an educational program or product that demonstrates their passion for education. It highlights their presentation skills, knowledge of best practices in education, knowledge of conservation/ecology, and/or innovative approach.	Applicant describes an educational program or product that demonstrates their passion for education. There may be areas to coach as far as best practices or additional presentation skills.	Applicant does not describe an educational product or program and/or shows no enthusiasm for the subject.
  Opportunities for Improvement	Applicant shows an understanding of their skill set and the needs of the position. Applicant’s response shows professional self-reflection and the Zoo’s Core Values of integrity and accountability.	Applicant shows a basic understanding of their skill set and the needs of the position. Applicant’s answer focuses on task-related improvements rather than skills.	Applicant does not show an understanding of the needs of this position and/or does not think this role will give them skill(s) to strengthen and develop.
  Conservation	Applicant explains why conservation is important to them personally and gives specific examples of how they incorporate it in their daily actions. Applicant’s values match the Phoenix Zoo’s conservation mission.	Applicant gives specific examples of how they incorporate conservation in their daily actions.	Applicant does not incorporate conservation into their daily actions and/or does not show an understanding of why conservation is important to the Phoenix Zoo.

• About the company

  The Phoenix Zoo opened in 1962 and is the largest privately owned, non-profit zoo in the United States.

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