School Programs Manager

The North Carolina Zoo is growing, and it is an exciting time to join our team! We are looking for an enthusiastic School Programs Manager to develop and oversee the Zoo’s School, Afterschool and Nature Play education programs. The primary purpose of this position is to develop innovative conservation education programs designed for audiences that work with or are a part of the formal education sector from preschool to university students and educators. These groups include teachers, preservice teachers, informal and environmental educators, public and private school children and homeschool groups, and children in afterschool programs (e.g., Boys and Girls Club and the Dream Center). The position collaborates across Zoo departments to advance the organization’s mission and requires occasional weekend, evening, and holiday work.

Key Responsibilities:

• Oversees the Zoo’s KidZone nature play space and related nature play programs, including preschool summer camps and educator workshops, while building and maintaining community partnerships with local afterschool organizations.
• In collaboration with their team, this position develops and maintains a formal education program (pre-K -12th grade – onsite, offsite and virtual) and afterschool programs focused on conservation education.
• Responsible for marketing and updating the content of the Zoo’s app and maintaining the Zoo’s fleet of tablets.
• Trains, coaches/mentors, supervises, and evaluates a team of four full-time staff, up to 15 seasonal educators and the Zoo’s Education Fellow in addition to volunteers and interns assigned to the Education section.
• Designs, delivers, and evaluates workshops that focus on a wide range of environmental and science topics (e.g., environmental education, conservation education, ecology, biology, nature play techniques and place-based learning techniques) to educators and community college/university students.
• Evaluates all school, library, Kidzone activities/pop-up programs, afterschool programs, and educator professional development workshops. Works with appropriate staff to update the experiences based off the feedback.Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management PreferencesTo receive credit for your work history and credentials, you must provide the information on the Application form. Any information omitted from the application form, listed as general statements, listed under the text resume section, or on an attachment will not be considered for qualifying credit.

Candidates meet the minimum qualifications of this position if they meet the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement. Vacancy specific knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) and/or management preferences are not required. Applicants who possess the following are preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Zoology, jobshiringnearme.org, Education, Wildlife Science, or Interpretation from an appropriately accredited institution and four years of museum or related work, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated experience designing and delivering nonformal education programs for schools (private, public, charter, and homeschool) and afterschool organizations that meet the NC Standard Course of Study.
• Demonstrated experience in designing and maintaining nature play areas and experiences designed to connect people with nature.
• Demonstrated experience developing content for educational technology (specifically apps).

Position/Physical Requirements 

• Work schedule: Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm
• Must be able to work weekends, holidays and after regular work shifts.
• This position is designated as Essential/Mandatory and is required to work adverse weather events and may be called to work special events.
• Required to participate in the zoo’s occupational health program.
• Must have a valid driver’s license issued from within the United States or be able to obtain one within 90 days of employment.
• Required to obtain Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG) training within one year of the hire date
• Must be able to work with computers and MS Office including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Experience with video editing software a plus.
• Must possess good hearing and vision (including appropriate assistive technology), a loud and clear speaking voice, be able to safely move 30 pounds, and be able to get around the Zoo.

This position is deemed eligible for hybrid telework under DNCR’s Telework Policy.This position is located at:

4401 Zoo Parkway

Asheboro, NC 27205

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the 

Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Bachelor’s degree in Art History, Biology, Botany, jobshiringnearme.org, Education, History or Zoology from an appropriately accredited institution

AND

four years of museum or related work, 

OR

an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Section/Unit description

The jobshiringnearme.org, Education and Science (CES) Section is responsible for executing activities and programs central to the mission of the North Carolina Zoo. The section plans, organizes and executes scientific research and wildlife conservation programs within North Carolina and internationally. CES staff are actively involved in conducting research and wildlife conservation activities in the field both independently and in partnership with State, Federal and international organizations, and agencies. CES is responsible for the management of natural areas on over 2,800 acres of zoo-owned land. CES is also responsible for all educational activities and programs conducted by the Zoo in furtherance of the zoo’s mission and DNCR goals. Educational programming coordinated by CES is wide ranging and includes (but is not limited to) developing interpretive displays at zoo exhibits, organized programs for visiting school groups, educational camps, teacher training workshops, college research internships, activities promoting outdoor recreation and play, developing educational content for zoo social media, community outreach programs and virtual education programs. The CES section oversees the Zoo’s extensive volunteer program, which consists of over 300 active volunteers performing over 50,000 hours of service annually. Volunteers are active across many areas of zoo operations, including education, visitor services, horticulture, wildlife rehabilitation, and facilities maintenance. CES maintains its own ambassador animals and is responsible for overall care and management of this collection. This includes collection planning, animal acquisitions and dispositions, animal care, animal propagation, animal training and animal behavioral enrichment programs. CES staff facilitates, conducts, and develops all on-site research, with a particular focus on animal welfare and behavioral monitoring as well as education evaluation. Research staff approve, track and coordinate proposals from outside institutions (e.g., universities) and agencies, initiate and participate in multi-institutional research programs, and implement zoo visitor perception and satisfaction surveys. CES staff serve as liaisons for multiple professional societies, including with several Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) conservation and science programs.

Division Description

The North Carolina Zoo exists for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of all our citizens and guests.  The North Carolina Zoo mission is to protect wildlife and wild places and inspire people to join in conserving the natural world.  This mission encompasses both domestic and international efforts, focusing on wildlife conservation, habitat preservation and promoting environmental stewardship.

Supplemental and Contact Information.

The Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) selects applicants for employment based on required education and experience and job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age (40 or older), disability, National Guard or veteran status, genetic information, political affiliation, or political influence. 

We are an

Employment First state, ensuring that people with disabilities have equal opportunities to succeed in the state government workplace. DNCR supports pay equity for women, establish paid parental leave for birth, adoption, and foster care, and implement fair chance policies. Join a team that welcomes, values, respects and supports all members of our work community. 

Application Process

Be sure to complete the application in its entirety.   Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.

• Information should be provided in the appropriate areas, to include the following: Education, including high school and all degrees obtained, Work Experience, and Certificates & Licenses. It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive candidate information.
• Answers to Supplemental Questions are not a substitute for providing all relevant information within the body of your application. To receive credit for the supplemental questions, you must provide supporting information within the “Work Experience” section of the application, to support your answers.
• Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application. The hiring process may take several weeks.
• Applicants are unable to submit more than one application to an individual posting.  Only one application received prior to the closing date will be accepted.  Applications must be submitted by 11:59:59 PM on the night prior to the closing date.

Degree/College Credit Verification

Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts, and degree evaluations may be uploaded with your application. If you have student loans, becoming a state employee includes eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Visit 

www.studentaid.gov to learn more. 

Veteran’s and National Guard Preference 

Applicants seeking Veteran’s Preference must attach a DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, along with the state application. 

Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach an NGB 23A (RPAS), along with the state application if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing. 

Applicants who are former member of either the NC Army National Guard or the NC Air National Guard, with honorable discharge and six years of creditable service must attach a copy of the DD 256 or NGB 22, along with the state application. 

ADA Accommodations 

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), DNCR is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, DNCR will ensure that persons with disabilities, or known limitations covered by the PWFA, are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the person indicated below. 

Employment Eligibility 

It is the policy of the State of North Carolina and DNCR that all employees provide proof of employment eligibility (immigration and naturalization) on the first day ofemployment. We participate in E-Verify (Employment Eligibility Verification System).  

CONTACT INFORMATION

N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources

North Carolina Zoo

4401 Zoo Parkway

Asheboro, NC 27205