Seasonal Conservation Educator

Zoo New England is seeking a Seasonal Conservation Educator in Boston, MA. The role involves assisting with field research, conducting school field trips, and engaging zoo guests about conservation efforts. Responsibilities include facilitating educational programs, providing customer service, and collaborating with staff. The position runs from April to August/September, requiring full-time availability by May 13 and involves work at various locations including Franklin Park Zoo and field sites.
Essential Job Functions

Zoo New England's mission is to inspire people to protect and sustain the natural world for future generations by creating fun and engaging experiences that integrate wildlife and conservation programs, research, and education. The Seasonal Conservation Educator bridges Zoo New England’s conservation and education initiatives, Conservation Educator will begin the season assisting Field Conservation Department staff with ongoing field research and will assist with school field trips to our conservation sites around eastern Massachusetts. The Conservation Educator will then work on zoo grounds to interpret ZNE’s conservation and education mission to zoo guests. The Conservation Educator will also assist with animal encounters, tours, and events and assist with daily animal care and husbandry.

Duties & Responsibilities
• Facilitate conversations, presentations, and programs to help people learn about Zoo New England's animals, conservation efforts, and mission, and about how they can help.
• Be familiar with ZNE’s collection and on-going conservation efforts to interpret these for zoo guests and answer questions.
• Use ambassador animals, zoo exhibits, biofacts, and local conservation areas to engage and inspire guests/program participants.
• Assist with programs and events as needed, including member programs, ZooToYou videos, tours, and camp.
• Work collaboratively with staff, volunteers, and interns, and also work independently on projects and presentations.
• Provide excellent customer service and positive interactions with zoo guests, school groups, event participants and employees.

Hours, Location and Term of Appointment

This seasonal position has defined timing requirements. Please read the below terms carefully to ensure that the position will work for your schedule before applying.

Term: April – Aug/Sept (exact hours and start date negotiable, but you MUST be available for full-time work by May 13, with part-time availability (8-16 hrs/week) starting in mid-April)

Sample schedule for the season:
April 7 – May 9: working 8 hrs/week on a weekday of your choice – Learning field conservation protocols, checking turtle traps, learning how to radiotrack turtles

May 12 – June 13: Working 40 hrs/week (Mon-Fri) with the Field Conservation Department, mostly conducting school field trips with classes releasing their turtles to the wild

June 15 – late Aug or early September: Working 40 hrs/week (Sun-Thurs) at Franklin Park Zoo

Location: This position will be based out of Franklin Park Zoo, but our Field Conservation office is in Acton, MA, and the technician will work at several field sites in April-June, primarily Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge (Concord, MA).

Field Conservation
• Participate in on-going ZNE field conservation work, including but not limited to rare species population monitoring, habitat restoration projects, checking traps, radio-tracking turtles, conducting site assessments and monitoring target species populations
• Conduct field trips to conservation sites off zoo grounds with K-12 school groups using established curriculum and presentation materials, particularly leading school groups on turtle release field trips for the HATCH program

Animal Care
• Assist with animal care, cleaning, and basic husbandry, as needed, for the ambassador animal collection. This may include cleaning enclosures, creating enrichment, and preparing diets and feeding ambassador animals.

Working Conditions
• Frequent exposure and close contact with a variety of animals including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish, as well as exposure to ticks, mosquitos, and other biting arthropods
• Field work in difficult natural conditions, including wetlands, streams, and brush thickets
• Work in uneven terrain with exposure to varying and challenging weather conditions
• Frequent need to bend, stoop, kneel, reach and lift

Minimum Job Requirements
• Effective November 14, 2021, must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19
• 18 years or older
• Available to work 40 hours per week (8 hours/day) including Saturday and/or Sunday
• Ability to address audiences of all ages
• Excellent interpersonal and public-speaking skills
• A strong desire to deliver ZNE’s mission
• Knowledge of and interest in the native flora and fauna of New England
• Willingness to spend long periods of time outdoors in any weather condition
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team
• Must have no criminal history, convictions, in relation to animal-related issues or child welfare
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and have a personal vehicle to drive to and from the zoo and our conservation sites

Preferred Job Requirements
• Previous experience working in environmental education
• Previous exhibit interpretation experience
• Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply
• Preferred candidates are usually enrolled in, or have completed, an undergraduate program or studies in zoology, education, biology, or a related field, or they have related life experience
• Current CPR / First Aid certification
• Available to start working on a limited basis (10-16 hrs/week) throughout the month of April

Zoo New England is an Equal Opportunity Employer by Choice

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