Youth Conservation Program Manager

 Key deliverables and areas of focus for this role include:

• Developing and facilitating experiences opportunities for youth to learn about and connect with nature, build confidence and resilience, establish a personal and professional network with other emerging conservation leaders and with community partners.
• Working collaboratively with various zoo departments to provide youth with professional development opportunities to gain hands-on, real-world experience and become conservation leaders

ZOOTEEN PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage recruitment, onboarding and training of 200-250 ZooTeens
• Manage recruitment, hiring and training of part-time ZooTeen Supervisor staff
• Evaluate, assess and report program goals and outcomes
• Schedule, supervise, facilitate, and lead activities
• Develop novel approaches, strategies and outlets for ZooTeens to communicate environmental messages to Zoo visitors
• Coach ZooTeens to increase their communication, confidence, and leadership skills
• Administer performance evaluations to identify coachable behaviors and skills
• Work with various Zoo staff to promote ZooTeen volunteer engagement efforts internally and externally using social media, oral presentation, and other outreach tools
• Maintain regular communication with ZooTeens and their parents/guardians as needed
• Goals and metrics setting and impact measurement
• Work with the animal collection in order to maintain the high level of proficiency

INTERN PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage recruitment and onboarding of interns participating in 3 internship sessions per year
• Work with Zoo staff across all departments to identify internship opportunities
• Manage internship lecture series
• Work with Conservation Impact team to participate in conservation action opportunities

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelors’ Degree in biology, zoology, or related field
• Youth program management highly desirable
• Experience working with diverse community partners and has demonstrated experience managing collaborative impact projects
• Demonstrated experience with project management (goal setting, impact measures, resource scheduling, communication plans etc.)
• Demonstrated experience in building collaboration among cross-departmental teams
• Experience interpreting, organizing, and presenting information in both small-scale meetings and large conference settings

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrate an understanding and acceptance of the Core Values and Behaviors of the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. Lives these on a day-today basis, “Modeling the Way” for others
• Excellent attention to detail, project management and interpersonal & organizational skills and the ability to meet deadlines and shift priorities in a rapidly changing environment
• Requires an individual who is highly professional, motivated, proactive, and helpful, who is able to gain cooperation through expertise, credibility, and building positive working relationships
• Possess excellent ability to develop and sustain effective working relationships within an organization; superior interpersonal skills; ability to work with diverse personalities; tactful; mature; flexible.
• Be timely and reliable in attendance and performance
• Have a demonstrated affinity for the Mission of the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
• A sincere love of wildlife and nature, and desire to share that interest with others
• Knowledge of/education in wildlife ecology, environmental science, biology, zoology or a related natural science
• Knowledge of/education in/experience in formal education, or environmental education, conservation education, or a related non-formal education field
• Desire and interest in working with youth; demonstrated rapport with, and an understanding of teenagers and their parents
• Ability to work well with staff, volunteers, Zoo donors and prospects, as well as the general public
• Ability to use basic and advanced functions of Windows operating systems, Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook, Publisher), G Suite (Docs, Sheets, Forms, Slides, Drive, Gmail), the internet and web-based forms
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed

Working Conditions: While performing the duties of the job, the incumbent is regularly required to stand, walk, and have the manual dexterity to use computer mouse and keyboard. The incumbent will be exposed to outside weather conditions and must be able to lift/move/carry up to 25 pounds without assistance, must possess a valid driver’s license and be insurable to drive a Zoo vehicle, must have reliable transportation, must be able to work a schedule that may include evenings and weekends, as needed.

We strive to be an organization that is diverse and reflects the fullness of society. With a strongly held value for an organizational culture characterized by inclusion and belonging, we are committed to equity in all we do. We are especially interested in candidates who can contribute to our organization’s diversity and who want to walk alongside us in our commitment to inclusion and equity.

Qualified applicants must apply via our online application on our website at http://cincinnatizoo.org/about-us/job-opportunities/.  Cover letter and resume should be attached to your online application.