DESCRIPTION/RESPONSIBILITIES:
Happy Hollow Park & Zoo (HHPZ) is a 16 acre amusement park and Association of Zoo's & Aquariums (AZA) accredited zoo located in San José, California. HHPZ is open year-round catering to families with children. It operates seven amusement park rides, showcases various endangered species, and operates one of the oldest classical puppet theaters in California, as well as offering many other playgrounds and attractions emphasizing play and imagination in a natural conservation setting.
The PRNS Department is seeking one (1) full-time, benefitted Zoo Educator and one (1) part-time, benefitted Zoo Educator for Happy Hollow Park and Zoo (HHPZ). Under general direction of the Zoo Education Specialist, the Zoo Educator position plans, develops designs, and executes animal educational, informational, and recreational programs to promote the activities and operation of Happy Hollow Park & Zoo. The Zoo Educator acts as a lead to Recreation Leaders and volunteers. This position regularly works weekends, evenings, and holidays, during all climatic conditions as assigned.
Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:
* Plans and coordinates education programs such as group outreach programs, early childhood classes, Zoo sleepover programs, on-site classes, animal shows, summer camps, scout programs, and other educational recreational programs.
* Conducts presentations at the Zoo, schools, and civic groups using education animals and other exhibits, and utilizing the Zoo’s resources to enhance public understanding and appreciation of wildlife and support for conservation of endangered species.
* Participates in the development and designs of the educational curriculum content of programs, displays, signage, and written material for appropriateness and accuracy of data.
* Maintains liaison and coordinates education activities with area schools, school districts, and community groups.
* Handles, trains, and cares for domestic and exotic animals in the Zoo’s animal collection professionally and safely.
* Provides enrichment activities and performs animal behavioral training for the animals used in education programs.
* Participates in developing training protocol for animal education handling processes.
* Promotes cooperative relationships with conservation and other concerned groups including zoos, museums, parks, educational institutions, and organizations.
* Provides information and referrals to participants and the community regarding activities and services available, including developing and disseminating publicity.
* Assists with selection and training of class instructors and volunteers as needed.
This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.
Competencies
The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history. Desirable competencies for this position include:
Job Expertise: Demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies, and federal and state rules and regulations.
* Knowledge of safety principles for working with domestic and non-domestic animals.
* Knowledge of principles and practices regarding proper positive reinforcement training.
* Skill in animal training, husbandry, and management.
* Skill in managing audiences of all ages while safely handling domestic and non-domestic animals.
* Skill in delivering, engaging, entertaining, and conservation education-based presentations to small and large groups of people.
* Ability to present and supervise engaging animal shows, science based classes, and other educational programs for all ages (infant-adult).
* Ability to safely handle animals, enter zoo exhibits, and perform animal husbandry tasks. Note, strong odors and possible allergens may be encountered.
Communication Skills: Communicates and listens effectively and responds in a timely, effective, positive, and respectful manner; written reports and correspondence are accurate, complete, current; well-organized, legible, concise, neat, and in proper grammatical form.
Problem Solving: Approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue; determines the significance of problem(s); collects information; uses logic and intuition to arrive at decisions or solutions to problems that achieve results.
Multi-Tasking: Can handle multiple projects and responsibilities simultaneously; has handled a wide variety of assignments in past and/or current position(s).
Creativity: Addresses objectives and problems while questioning traditional assumptions/solutions in order to generate creative ideas and new ways of doing business; exhibits creativity and innovation when contributing to organizational and individual objectives; seeks out opportunities to improve, streamline, reinvent work processes.
Customer Service: Demonstrates the ability to anticipate customers' needs and deliver services effectively and efficiently in a timely, accurate, respectful, and friendly manner.
Coaching: Provides guidance, opportunities, and motivation to develop and strengthen knowledge, skills, and competencies to improve employee’s capabilities.
Computer Skills: Experienced with common business computer applications including but not limited to: MS Outlook, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Access, and MS Excel.
Employment Eligibility: Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of San Jose will NOT sponsor, represent, or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application. State law requires all employees working with youth to provide medical verification of negative tuberculosis test results within the last year.
Background Check: Candidates will be required to undergo a background check, including a criminal history records check, before being considered for a position.
Selection Process
The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to the Job Specific Questions. Only the candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phases of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews, one of which may include a practical/writing exercise.
You will be prompted to answer the following job-specific questions during the online application process. Please note that there is a 4,000-character limit, including spaces for each text response.
1. Please describe your experience in environmental/conservation education, zoo keeping, biology, or related work? Include place(s) of employment and position title(s), length of each employment (start/end date), average hours worked per week in each position, and a brief description of your experience.
2. Please describe your experience writing and teaching science-based curriculums to children. Describe education programs and curriculum development you managed, audiences served, and topics the curriculum focused on. Be sure to provide specifics for the curriculums you were responsible for writing, including the age of the audience, size and type of program, and any conservation topics that were included.
3. Please describe your experience working with domestic and exotic animals. Include the length of time you worked with each species (please provide dates) and in what capacity (i.e. husbandry, training, presentations, etc.).
4. Please describe your computer skills with common business computer applications (ie. MS Outlook, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Access, and/or MS Excel). Provide an example of your experience in using a computer program and for what purpose.
You must answer all job-specific questions in order to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration.
