Director of Conservation Education at the Saint Louis Zoo

Job Title: Director of Conservation Education

Job Status: Full-time

Location: St. Louis, MO

Salary: $90,249.00 – $144,398.00

Description

The Saint Louis Zoo is seeking its next dynamic leader for the position of Director of Conservation Education (Saigh Foundation Endowed Position) to provide vision and leadership for all of the Zoo’s conservation education programs, activities and communications. The Saint Louis Zoo’s educational services are an integral part of the institution’s commitment to conservation. Today, the Saint Louis Zoo has three campuses. The Saint Louis Zoo in Forest Park since the 1960s, that has offered engaging programs, exhibits, materials and communications that foster an environment where the highest quality learning experiences inspire nature connection and conservation action among learners of all ages. WildCare Park will open to the public in 2027 and has begun offering pilot programs based on community input.  The Sears Lehman Wildlife Reserve is not open to the public and is home to the American Red Wolf breeding program. 

This position will ensure all Education functions support the mission and strategic initiatives of the organization, align with the Zoo’s values, its Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Inclusion (“DEAI”) culture, and its Three Keys. This position reports directly to the Saint Louis Zoo Director and provides support to the Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park Director.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

  • Responsible for providing strategy, vision and oversight of all Saint Louis Zoo conservation education disciplines, with a focus on impact and efficiencies.
  • Oversee the planning, development, implementation, evaluation and coordination of a wide variety of conservation engagement programming, each designed to be inclusive and relevant to audiences at the Zoo, Wild Care Park, throughout the local community and globally.
  • Work closely with local organizations and communities to develop relevant educational partnerships and offer community-centered designed conservation engagement programming.
  • Ensure that programs and learning experiences are research based, monitored and evaluated for program quality, content and relevance in accordance with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accreditation, national, state, and local education standards.
  • Work closely with the Zoo’s Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Inclusion Director to dismantle barriers and provide equitable access to education programs, with a priority on underserved communities.
  • Collaborate with the Development and Government Affairs teams to identify and manage funds for the Zoo’s community engagement and education programs, securing multi-year funding whenever possible.
  • Work with the Safety and Risk Management Department to implement best practices and standard operating procedures to ensure a safe environment for employees, volunteers and program participants of all ages and abilities.
  • Manage a large workforce (up to 160 staff in the summer) of program managers, full and part-time educators, interpreters, registration and administrative staff as well as adult and teen volunteer educators.
  • Participate in various leadership committees including leading the Conservation Education Committee of the Saint Louis Zoo Association.
  • Support Marketing and Public Relations initiatives with various media on education-related stories, promotions or features.
  • Advocate for, advance and support the Zoo’s Animal Care, Conservation and Science goals via collaboration with the Animal Care Department, WildCare Institute, Institute for Conservation Medicine, and Research Departments.
  • Collaborate with the Zoo’s Conservation, Audience Research and Evaluation Department on social science evaluation and research projects and ensure conservation education programs and projects are well grounded in research informed practices.
  • Actively participate in, support and promote participation in Association of Zoos and Aquariums (“AZA”) programs and committees, and other related professional associations including International Zoo Educators Association, North American Association for Environmental Education, American Association of Museums, National Association of Interpretation, and Missouri Association for Environmental Education.
  • Provide oversight of all administrative aspects of the Zoo’s Conservation Education Department, including but not limited to, budget development, performance reviews, disciplinary issues, procurement, travel appropriations, etc.
  • Recruit, retain, develop and supervise team members and create a safe, supportive, innovative and accountability-based culture rooted in the Zoo’s Three Keys and CCOIL values.
  • Implement sustainable practices throughout the Education Department.

 

Requirements

Qualifications:

The Zoo is looking for a conservation education expert, but, of equal, or more importance, is a talented leader of people and teams who wants to work for an organization that is committed to conservation and protecting animals in its care and around the world.  

Education

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Zoology, Education or a related field required. Master’s degree in a related field recommended.

Job Experience, Skills and Knowledge

  • A minimum of 5 years of leadership experience working in a zoo, aquarium, museum or other informal science education or non-profit learning organization or agency.
  • Familiarity with informal education theories, standards and trends and have supported research-informed practices that lead to positive conservation outcomes
  • Understanding of conservation behavior change messaging and best practices. 
  • Experience developing and sustaining community centered collaborations and partnerships that achieve conservation impacts that benefit communities.
  • Candidates must possess a high level of emotional intelligence and demonstrate a proven history of building cooperative relationships across all organization functions and levels.
  • Familiarity with principles of environmental literacy, nature connection, natural history, wildlife conservation, empathy and environmental justice.
  • Experience writing, securing and managing education grants and stewarding donors.
  • The role requires an entrepreneurial innovative spirit eager to create new and engaging educational revenue generating programs.
  • Must be able to clearly communicate the mission of the Zoo and be able to generate energy, enthusiasm and support for that mission by the team and the community.
  • Ability to prioritize and successfully manage multiple activities and priorities. Excellent attention to detail required. 
  • Must be a champion for, and embody, the Zoo’s Three Keys (Animals Always, People Matter and Operational Excellence), the Zoo’s CCOIL values of Community, Creativity, Openness, Integrity and Life-Work Balance, and the Zoo’s diversity, inclusion, equity and accessibility culture.
  • Must be a strong leader of teams who is interested in the development and growth of the people they lead and be capable of successfully working with, and managing team members from diverse backgrounds, including but not limited to race, gender identity, religion, economic status, sexual orientation, etc.
  • Excellent oral and written presentation skills required.
  • Collaborative and inclusive approach. Critically evaluate effectiveness and financial sustainability of programs and re-align resources accordingly.
  • Shared values of public service, excellence, teamwork, respect, innovation and sustainability.
  • Adaptability to organizational change.
  • All successful candidates will be required to take a drug test and criminal background check.
  • The Zoo is dedicated to creating a diverse and inclusive culture and above all else, is looking for a tremendous leader, so even if you do not meet every requirement of this job posting, we would still encourage you to apply. You may be the best fit for this role, or a different one at the Zoo.

Apply via AAM