Education Specialist - Community Engagement

Cleveland Metroparks

The Education Specialist - Community Engagement creates, coordinates, develops, and conducts community engagement and educational programs, activities, and projects, both on-site and off-site.

This work includes building relationships with community members, co-designing and implementing programs with community partners, coordinating community engagement programs and events, and maintaining communication with community partners.

This position may supervise seasonal staff or Education Assistants.

Essential Functions :

Effectively supervises assigned employees, including the following :

• Interviews, selects and trains employees;
• Coaches employees in proper job performance techniques and procedures;
• Directs work of employees and sets / adjusts hours of work;
• Maintains records on employee productivity and appraises employees’ productivity and efficiency to recommend promotions or other changes in status;
• Handles employee complaints and disciplines employees when necessary;
• Apportions work among different employees;
• Monitors or implements legal compliance measures;
• Determines the type of materials, supplies, or tools to be used by employees and controls the flow and distribution of materials and supplies; and
• Provides for the safety of employees and the property of Cleveland Metroparks.
• Regular and predictable attendance is expected and required. All Cleveland Metroparks employees must be prepared to work flexible schedules, including evenings, weekends, and / or holidays as required.
• Develops, implements, and delivers on-grounds and off-grounds programming with for groups and organizations of all ages levels, which may include camps, professional development workshops, preschool programs, school- aged student programming, family programs, zoo guest tours, zoo trainings, and informal, casual conversations with Zoo Guests;
• researches topics, develops themes, logic models, conservation messaging, training process and progression plan for those tasked with facilitating programs and presentations;

oversees implementation of programs and presentations, evaluating progress and adjusting as needed; audits, assesses and evaluates impact of programming and edits / adjusts as needed (including training materials).

Supervises assigned staff. Ensures operations requirements are met by assigning staff to appropriate locations, provides necessary tools for staff, provides feedback as needed and appropriate;

assigns projects, reviews work, and assists in prioritization of tasks.

• Performs administrative tasks : Creates schedules; manages labor and operation budget; submits and tracks orders; emails correspondence with team and partners (internal and external);
• attends and runs meetings; maintains program evaluations, attendance records, participant reports, logs, records, and tracking documents;

collects, analyzes, and reports evaluation data; files paperwork.

• Travels to various locations both on zoo grounds and off site at various locations throughout the community to coordinate and conduct programs, activities, and projects.
• Keeps direct supervisor promptly informed of key / significant issues or concerns.
• Carries out duties and responsibilities in a safe and efficient manner to maintain a safe work environment and surrounding area for oneself, co-workers and public.

Responds to hazardous situations and / or potentially unsafe conditions by taking corrective action as capable and promptly notifying supervisory personnel.

• Updates and enhances own knowledge by involvement in continuing education for professional growth (, attends relevant conferences, seminars, in-service trainings, and certification programs)
• Performs related duties as assigned or apparent.

Experience Required

Bachelor's Degree related to Animals, Wildlife, Environmental Education, Public and Community Service, Social Justice, Sociology, Citizenship and Civic Engagement or a related field required;

supplemented by experience in a zoo, museum, aquarium, nature center or environmental or social justice-oriented advocacy setting, or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders, including employees and the general public.
• Ability to perform work with a high degree of accuracy and organization.
• Management skills and strong business acumen, including problem solving, vision, ability to manage multiple programs and meet deadlines, collaboration, leadership, decision making and ability to analyze diverse facts and develop clear and concise reports and recommendations.
• Ability to work cooperatively with others.
• Familiarity working directly with diverse communities in advocacy and / or civic engagement; additional language skills such as bilingual or Spanish-speaking preferred.
• Proficiency in software programs including all Microsoft Office programs.
• Mature professional attitude and considerable discretion, including ability to manage confidential information.
• Ability to perform with considerable independence and initiative.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license under the laws of the State of Ohio.

Salary