Position Summary
Ensures that all educational programs, both in person and virtual, are innovative and effective and in direct support of the purpose/vision mission/values of The Florida Aquarium. Acts as the primary point of contact for evening educational events (e.g., STEM nights, Evening Tide Talks, etc.) as well as related and aligned day experiences (e.g., a STEM Day). Responsible for the development and daily management of sleepover and birthday party programs and staff. Oversees budgets (revenues and expenses) and materials for the sleepover and birthday programs while designing and implementing training for staff. Develops and conducts a variety of educational programs both at The Florida Aquarium and throughout the community. Maintains education ambassador animal handling certification. Works with learning team to care for and oversee the health and wellness of the education ambassador animal collection.
Essential Position Functions
· Develops and conducts high quality educational programs at The Florida Aquarium and throughout the community, including both structured programs and information interpretive experiences.
· Serves as the primary point of contact for special evening education events and related daily unique experiences (e.g., a special STEM Day) and assists with their implementation.
· Interviews, hires, trains, oversees, and evaluates sleepover and birthday staff, interns, and volunteers.
· Develops strategies to restore the sleepover and birthday programs and ensures their successful implementation thereafter.
· Develops/implements strategies to rebuild the sleepover and birthday party program goals, as well as annual goal-setting that aligns with the departmental plan, and oversees program expense budgets.
· Works with Reservations to ensure that program records and revenues are accurately recorded.
· Acquires and maintains supplies and equipment for programs.
· Develops and maintains internal, local and regional professional contacts at partner organizations.
· Under the guidance of the Evaluation Manager, provides front-end, formative, and summative evaluations of various programs (e.g., sleepovers).
· Represents the Aquarium at conferences, speaking engagements, and community events.
· Delivers extraordinary customer service to all Aquarium guests and staff.
· Other duties as assigned by manager.
Education Requirements and Technical Skills
· Four-year degree in life sciences, education, or related field.
· Minimum of two years of management experience preferred.
· Minimum of two years of progressively responsible professional experience working with the husbandry of animals and in conducting animal programs.
· Teaching and curriculum development experience in an informal setting.
· Minimum of one year of experience training animals and possesses the ability to work with mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates for use in programs.
· Ability to manage, organize and plan a large program.
· Possession of valid Florida driver's license.
· Knowledge of Microsoft Office software.
Competencies
· Customer Service Orientation: Listening and understanding the customer (both internal and external) and anticipating and evaluating the customer's needs.
· Teamwork: Supporting, facilitating, and participating in activities that promote team success.
· Concern for Detail: Paying attention to every portion of any task, down to the smallest item.
· Work Standards: Applying high performance standards to all work-related activities.
· Communication (oral and written): Effectively expressing ideas and actively listening to others; focusing presentations to needs of audience; expressing ideas clearly and concisely in written form, through memoranda, letters, reports, and other documents.
· Creativity: Proactively combining ideas, resources, and skills in new ways to better meet outcomes and objectives; finding ways to position the Aquarium as a model of excellence.
· Information Gathering and Monitoring: Effectively collects relevant data using questioning or research techniques to monitor and manage projects and people.
· Planning and Organizing: Establishing a course of action with specific long-range goals for the Aquarium; setting priorities among competing requirements and allocating resources in efficient and effective ways; developing plans that anticipate changes in work environment.
· Follow-up: Institutes methods for monitoring people and projects.
Typical Physical Requirements
· Sitting (2 hours per day)
· Standing (3 hours per day)
· Walking (3 hours per day)
· Viewing a computer screen for extended periods
· Typing on a computer keyboard
· Bending/Stooping/ Squatting/ Crouching — Frequently
· Crawling — Occasionally
· Reaching above shoulders — Frequently
· Pushing/Pulling — Frequently
· Carrying and/or lifting up to 50 lbs — Occasionally
· More than normal talking
· Ability to maintain daily contact with living collection of plants and animals
· Exposure to marked changes in temperature and humidity
· Daily contact with living collection of plants and animals in a central Florida climate
· Ability to interact with and be around wild animals
· Subject to bites, stings, and scrapes
· Ability to travel (van) as needed
· Flexibility in working weekends, evenings, and holidays
· Available for on-call emergencies