Current Job Openings

Education Assistant (Closes February 15, 2013)

Position Overview: The Education Assistant participates with the Friends of Zoo Boise Education Department team in providing approximately 350,000 zoo visitors with engaging and meaningful educational experiences regarding animals & their habitats.  Education Assistant will provide training, guidance, and management for ZooTeen & Zoo Naturalist visitor education volunteers as well as develop and conduct programs for zoo visitors of all ages. 

Reports to:  Education Director

Schedule: Part time, Sunday through Thursday, some evenings and Fridays/Saturdays and some holidays as needed.  20 hrs/week Mid-Sept through mid-May and 35 hrs/week mid-May-Mid September. 

Responsibilities

Fall/Winter/Spring

  1. Assist with management of volunteer program, volunteer orientation & training.
  2. Develop and conduct educational programs for families with young children, and information visitor experience programs.
  3. Schedule, develop and conduct on- and off-site programs for school groups.
  4. Work at Zoo Boise fund-raising special events. 

Summer

  1. Assist with the orientation, training, management, evaluation and supervision of Zoo Naturalist and ZooTeen volunteers.
  2. Managing volunteer schedules and daily visitor experience schedule (Butterflies in Bloom, Wallaby Walkabout, Conservation Cruise, animal encounters, Giraffe Encounter, Bear Encounter, biology & ecology themed demonstrations).

Requirements

  1. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in education, biological sciences or a related field.
  2. Experience planning and conducting environmental education programs to young children, teens and adults.
  3. Basic knowledge of developmental learning theories
  4. Ability to work in a variety of outdoor weather conditions.
  5. Able to traverse the zoo property and be on one’s feet for a long period of time.
  6. Animal-handling experience or be willing to be trained to handle and teach about many types of animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles (including snakes), and invertebrates, both aquatic and terrestrial.
  7. Excellent organizational and time management skills.
  8. Valid Driver’s License, good driving record and reliable transportation.
  9. U.S. citizen, national or lawful permanent resident.
  10. Submit to a criminal history background check.
  11. Submit to a negative TB test which must be negative.
  12. Basic knowledge of Microsoft Word Office 

Preferred Qualifications

  1. Experience managing volunteers.
  2. An independent, self-motivated, creative and resourceful individual who enjoys working with diverse groups of people of all ages, abilities and learning styles.
  3. Able to work in a fast-paced and noisy environment and to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
  4. Holds a positive, cheerful, professional and customer-service oriented attitude.
  5. Communicate and interact in a positive, professional, and team oriented manner with various populations such as: colleagues, volunteers, students, general public and organizational partners.
  6. A commitment to the conservation goals of Zoo Boise.

To apply, send cover letter, resumé and references by February 15, 2013 to:

Rena Ashton, Education Director
Friends of Zoo Boise
355 Julia Davis Drive
Boise, ID  83702 or email. 

No phone calls please.