Salary: $33.66 – $46.08 Hourly
Location: Tacoma, WA
Job Type: Career Full-time Non Represented
Job Number: EducVol2023
Department: Zoological and Environmental Education
Opening Date: 05/25/2023
Closing Date: 6/29/2023 11:59 PM Pacific

Who We Are
Metro Parks Tacoma (MPT) is a CAPRA-accredited and AZA-accredited, independent park district that leads efforts to build a healthy, sustainable community. Located in Tacoma, Washington, Metro Parks’ mission is to create healthy opportunities to play, learn, and grow. The independent park district spans the city providing a wide range of life-enriching destinations and services, including 70+ parks, 80+ miles of trails, 1,000+ acres of urban forest, 66 playgrounds, four community centers, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, Point Defiance Park, and much more. Our work is guided by eight core values that are the foundation of our actions and goals: innovation, excellence, equity, inclusiveness, sustainability, accountability, safety, and fun.

Why You’ll Love it Here
Come work where you play! You will contribute to the overall vitality and well-being of your community when you work for Metro Parks Tacoma, and you’ll do so as part of a supportive team of committed, passionate, and mission-driven professionals. The people of Metro Parks are the key to its success, and you just might be the next great addition to our team. You’ll receive a competitive wage, along with an attractive benefits package, including medical, dental, retirement, vacation, holidays, and much more. On top of that, you’ll wake each day knowing that you’re helping make Tacoma a great place to call home.
 
Position Information
Under the general direction of an assigned supervisor, manage the day-to-day operations of a designated  education unit.  Develop, coordinate and implement conservation education programs and related activities.  Interview, hire, train, provide work direction, and evaluate assigned personnel and volunteers. The primary focus of this position is the coordination of programming and collaboration between Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium and the Tacoma Public Schools Science and Math Institute (SAMi) high school.

In the performance of their respective tasks and duties all employees are expected to:

  • Perform quality work within deadlines with or without direct supervision.
  • Interact professionally with other employees, customers and suppliers.
  • Work effectively as a team contributor on all assignments.
  • Work independently while understanding the necessity for communicating and coordinating work efforts with other employees and organizations.
  • Observe applicable safety requirements, use safety equipment provided, implement appropriate safety practices at all times and report immediately any unsafe working conditions or hazards.

Essential Duties

Manage complex program areas that involve multiple disciplines.
 
Develop, coordinate, schedule, implement, and evaluate educational programming and events. Provide educational opportunities for the public that focus on conservation of wildlife and wild places.
 
Supervise assigned personnel including staff, volunteers, and interns. Screen, interview, hire, and evaluate assigned personnel.  Assign work, provide guidance, and schedule personnel necessary to accomplish conservation education program goals.
 
Develop, prepare, and administer educational and related materials, graphics, websites and tools for publication and departmental use.
 
Develop and coordinate training programs for varied audiences including  volunteers, teachers, students, interpreters, and instructors.
 
Coordinate communication and activities with community organizations, academic institutions, government entities, and Park District departments to implement, facilitate and promote educational programs.  Be a representative of PDZA at various civic meetings as required.
 
Maintain facilities, grounds, and resource centers as assigned. Prepare and deliver presentations regarding the assigned facility to various audiences.
 
Plan and participate in a variety of special campaigns and projects that promote conservation awareness and understanding to the public.
 
As appropriate, provide limited care for educational outreach animals and facilitate the use of animal ambassadors to convey wildlife conservation messages.
 
Maintain records and data related to educational programs including budget and program statistics. Gather and provide information for budget preparation.  Develop programmatic reports for internal and external audiences.
 
Develop and implement grant programs.  Manage grant budgets and develop reports.
 
Participate in strategic planning and policy development to facilitate and improve educational programs and operations.
 
Serve as a department representative on an assigned PDZA committee.

Assist in the preparation of interpretive presentations, exhibits, exhibit texts and similar programs as required.
 
Perform related duties as assigned.
 
SAMI PARTERNERSHP DUTIES 
Co-create innovative classroom and field-based curriculum relevant to life science and wildlife conservation that supports current state and national science standards for 9-12; collaborate with SAMi instructors to augment SAMi’s interdisciplinary, project-based-learning curriculum in science, math, social studies, art and other.
 
Provide direct support to the Science & Math Institute (SAMI) partner high school as a course co-instructor and guest instructor in areas of expertise related to animal behavior, ecology, conservation biology, zoology, animal husbandry, etc.
 
Co-develop and coordinate opportunities for collaboration across PDZA departments and staff member to advance shared goals through classwork, internships, community science activities, mentor group projects, mini-terms, extra-curricular clubs, Service and Study Tours, etc.
 
Engage and connect with youth and other community members from a variety of ages, abilities, and backgrounds, including those who have been historically underrepresented in nature settings or within conservation organizations.

Coordinate logistics, communications and community building opportunities between two distinct agencies, Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium and SAMi (Tacoma Public Schools).
 
Plan and conduct assessment of the conservation engagement objectives of the PDZA/SAMi partnership.
   
Create and maintain partnerships with other environmental education organizations to effectively serve schools by offering unique experiences in the field and in formal classrooms.
 
Participate in PDZA-wide conservation engagement programs, events and initiatives as a member of the Conservation Engagement team.
 

Minimum Qualifications
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:
Bachelor’s degree in education, natural sciences, environmental studies, conservation or related field and two (2) years of increasingly responsible experience involving educational program development and facilitation in zoological, aquarium, museum or informal learning setting required.  Five (5) additional years of related experience may substitute for the degree requirement.
 
LICENSE & OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

  • Valid Washington driver’s license with an acceptable driving record. Ability to operate 10-passenger vehicle after training
  • Ability to obtain valid first aid and CPR certification within probationary period.
  • Interpretive Guide Certification may be desired depending on assigned area
  • Animal Handling Certification may be desired depending on assigned area
  • Education certification highly desired
  • Ability to work flexible schedule, including weekends, evenings and holidays as required

Additional Information
ENVIRONMENT:

  • Office, public school buildings, outdoors in a variety of weather conditions and auditorium work environment.
  • Extensive public contact.
  • Emergency medical situations.

PHYSICAL ABILITIES:

  • Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate computer keyboard, other office equipment and a motor vehicle.
  • Standing for extended periods of time.
  • Walking, kneeling, bending or crouching.
  • Hearing and speaking to exchange information and make presentations.
  • Seeing to read and develop materials, prepare records and reports.
  • Lifting, carrying and pushing equipment as needed.

HAZARDS:

  • Contact with dissatisfied or abusive individuals.
  • May work in close contact with wild and dangerous animals.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

  • Principles and practices of educational program development, particularly project-based learning in a high school setting.
  • Principles and practices of teaching, training and providing work direction.
  • Behavior management techniques and restorative justice practices with high school youth.
  • Principles and practices of justice, equity, diversity, access and inclusion (JEDAI) particularly as they pertain to working with schools and community groups.

 ABILITY TO:

  • Develop, coordinate and implement education programs for the public, particularly high school students and teachers .
  • Screen, interview, select, train and provide work direction and evaluate personnel.
  • Assign and review the work of others.
  • Develop educational, scientific and related literature, graphics and materials.
  • Prepare and present presentations to various groups.
  • Interpret rules and regulations.
  • Perform emergency first aid and CPR as needed and according to established guidelines.
  • Communicate clearly verbally and in writing.
  • Assess and evaluate situations effectively.
  • Exert optimal effort in successfully completing tasks.
  • Take initiative with minimal supervision.
  • Extract and record data and carry out calculations accurately.
  • Set up and operate equipment that can require selection from options or different settings.
  • Manage time efficiently and effectively through scheduling and prioritizing.
  • Work within and contribute to the effectiveness of a team, respecting differences.
  • Report for work regularly and on time.

For more information and to apply: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/metroparkstacoma/jobs/4056478/education-volunteer-program-coordinator-sami-partnership-coordinator