Sustainability & Behavior Change Staff

Description

Job Title: Sustainability and Behavior Change Staff

Department: Learning and Impact

Exemption: Non-exempt

Reports to: Sustainability and Behavior Change Manager

Description Summary:

The Learning and Impact department is enthusiastically seeking Sustainability and Behavior Change Staff to assist in our sustainability endeavors!

Under the supervision of the Sustainability and Behavior Change Manager, the Sustainability and Behavior Change Staff is responsible for supporting the Zoo’s sustainability initiatives and promoting environmental awareness among guests, staff, and volunteers. This role involves hands-on work in sustainable waste management like recycling and composting, as well as educational efforts to advance the Zoo's sustainability goals.

In addition, all staff are responsible for maintaining a safe, healthy, clean, and attractive Zoo environment and providing courteous assistance to guests. 

The ideal candidate will possess excellent organization, communication, and time management skills.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist with day-to-day implementation of sustainability programs such as trash sorting, recycling, composting, and energy efficiency upgrades
• Collect data (weighing, measuring) to support evaluation and reporting of sustainable initiatives
• Engage with guests, staff, and volunteers in both formal and informal settings to educate them about sustainable practices and the Zoo's environmental goals
• Collaborate with the Sustainability and Behavior Change Coordinator to provide support for pro-environmental behavior change campaigns targeting guests, staff, volunteers, and educational program participants such as ZooCampers
• Assist in designing behavior change strategies such as presentations, informational signage, choice architecture, and incentives
• Provide logistical support for programs and events so that sustainability messaging, activities, and evaluations are incorporated
• Attend and participate in regularly scheduled department and all-staff meetings
• Perform general office duties as necessary
• Maintain offices, classrooms, work areas, and all resources in a safe, clean, and organized manner
• Maintain brand standards in all official appearances and educational presentations
• Able to always deal courteously and effectively with the public and to represent the organization at the highest standard of professionalism
• Able to collaborate, establish, and maintain effective and professional working relations with local partners including school districts, co-workers, and other department personnel, and to do so in accordance with The Living Desert Team Member Handbook
• Contribute to desert conservation through reduction of waste, water and energy use, and inspire guests and team members to take conservation actions

SPECIFIC SKILLS

• Must be a motivated self-starter who needs minimal supervision
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and multi-task if necessary
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both written and orally
• Ability to record observations intelligibly and maintain accurate documentation
• Ability to give and comprehend written and oral instructions, and to accurately carry out instructions
• Ability to collaborate and work well in a diverse, team-oriented environment
• Comfortable with public speaking
• Passionate about environmental conservation and sustainability, with a genuine commitment to making a positive impact; broad knowledge of desert natural history and science preferred
• Ability to communicate scientific information in an informal setting, in a way that is personal, engaging, and relevant to guests of all ages
• Familiarity with sustainability management, resource conservation, waste management systems, and/or composting highly preferred
• Sustainable certifications such as Master Recycler and/or Master Composter preferred; experience with electrical and/or HVAC systems preferred
• Experience working in a zoo, aquarium, nature center, or other informal conservation education setting preferred
• Experience working with youth/students preferred
• Familiarity operating heavy machinery such as JCB backhoe, Bobcat skid steer, and/or woodchipper preferred

Requirements

 EDUCATION AND PREREQUISITES

• Must be 18 years of age or older 
• Must have a high school diploma
• Must have an interest in the fields of education, communication, interpretation, environmental science, conservation, biology, zoology, zoo manag