Director of Education

Director of Education

Toledo Zoo & Aquarium

Under limited supervision, the Director of Education is a visionary and community partner that provides strategic leadership, guidance, and management oversight of the Toledo Zoo & Aquarium’s education programs and initiatives, such as Natures Neighborhood and all education programs and functions for the Zoo.

This role is crucial in developing new audiences for existing programs and the creation of new programing in accordance with state mandated science curriculum guidelines.

This position manages both revenue generating and traditional education programming and is involved in cross-departmental planning for related educational needs.

Work involves the planning and coordination of educational and other department activities with staff, keeping abreast of education events and education innovations, and supervising staff.

The Director will perform a variety of supervisory and administrative tasks to provide leadership across the department and the Zoo.

The Director of Education reports to the Senior Vice President and Chief Mission Officer. This position is exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act and requires time worked in excess of forty hours per week.

Director of Education Essential Job Functions :

Manages education programs; develops new audiences for education programs; acts as liaison with education organizations such as public and private schools and universities and with other informal educational organizations.

Develops new programs in accordance with state mandated science curriculum guidelines.

• Manages and develops education programs that generate revenue.
• Formally evaluates existing programs both on and off grounds through observational evaluation and written critique.
• Prioritizes the zoo’s education programing based on education value, audience reached, or revenue generated. Makes necessary changes to programming to maintain the Toledo Zoo an leader in conservation education.
• Oversees functions and programs associated with Natures Neighborhood.
• Performs supervisory duties of staff to include instructing, training, planning, assigning and reviewing work, maintaining standards, coordinating activities, allocating personnel, acting on employee problems, selecting new employees and disciplining.
• Manages and prepares the education department budgets. Approves purchase requests
• Communicates and interacts effectively with Senior Vice President and Chief Mission Officer, visitors, members, students, teachers, subordinates, fellow curators and colleagues, consultants and members of the general public.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience :

• Requires a Bachelor’s degree in Education, Biology, Science, or related field appropriate for the position. Master’s degree is preferred.
• Five to seven years of experience in informal Education, or any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
• Five to seven years of management / supervisory experience.
• Experience managing a budget and multiple revenue streams.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, written, and oral communication skills.
• Must be able to work occasional weekend, evenings and holidays.
• The Toledo Zoo is a drug-free workplace, including marijuana.

The Toledo Zoo is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, creed, genetic information, sex, age, national origin, disability, military status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by law.