Education Specialist -Community Engagement

Job Description

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 (i.e., attends relevant conferences, seminars, in-service trainings, and certification programs)
• Performs related duties as assigned or apparent.