Seasonal Conservation Engagement Facilitator

Denver Zoo is a leader in animal care, wildlife conservation, and education. We are passionate about our commitment to excellence in support of our mission to secure a better world for animals through human understanding.  

Denver Zoo honors our animals, staff, and guests by conducting ourselves at the highest level of integrity through our Core Actions -- Inspire Awe: Safety, Care, Connect and by embracing our Core Behaviors of: Welcoming, Curious, United, Courageous, and Transformative in all that we do. 

The Seasonal Conservation Engagement Facilitator advances the mission of Denver Zoo by facilitating Conservation Engagement public programming. This position facilitates experiences for diverse audiences (including but not limited to students/children in grades preschool through high school, families, community groups) and various group sizes at Denver Zoo. 

Our staff is a dedicated and diverse group of individuals committed to providing quality care to our animals while creating moments of awe for guests.  If you are a like-minded individual and thrive in a dynamic, fast paced and innovative culture, Denver Zoo is the place for you! 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities 

Priority 1- Program Facilitation  

• Facilitate mission aligned learning through dynamic implementation of pre-written programs; welcome and speak with zoo guests, community members and diverse audiences, support and interpret conservation-based education programs, and engage and encourage unstructured play and exploration in natural spaces.   
• Facilitate pre-written, guest facing programs in diverse program spaces throughout a full workday. Program areas may include public speaking for large and small groups, facilitating in animal interaction spaces, and activating innovative conservation based learning spaces.  
• Facilitate pre-written programs activated through biofact carts, activity stations, or free form play.  
• Adapt facilitation techniques to changing circumstances or audiences. 
• May handle live animals and biofacts (animal specimens). 

Priority 2- Communication 

• Provide excellent communication; communicate in clear language and adjust use of language to participants’ level of understanding.   
• Communicate effectively and professionally with all other Denver Zoo staff members; proactively communicate with department and program leaders about program needs and concerns; regularly check and communicate about varied and changing schedules.  
• Represent Denver Zoo to the community in a professional and positive manner. 

Priority 3- Program Support

• Prepare, maintain, inventory and clean program materials and supplies. 
• Provide feedback as part of program development and evaluation efforts. 
• Collect and enter program data as needed including program attendance and demographics. 

Priority 4- Self-Development  

• Ability to gain insight into one’s identity, values, strengths and weaknesses, interests and ambitions and to enhance one’s competencies where possible.   
• Build skills in program facilitation and proactive engagement strategies.  

Additional Responsibilities

• Set priorities in alignment with Inspire Awe:  
  • Safety first, always  
  • Care demonstrated through exceptional guest service  
  • Connect with each guest utilizing ROADMAP in all programs and GIG strategies with guests   
• Demonstrate a commitment to Denver Zoo’s Sustainability Policies by adhering to all environmental, safety, & health regulations, procedures, and goals.  
• Act in accordance with Denver Zoo’s Core Behaviors: Welcoming, Curious, United, Courageous, and Transformative in all interactions with staff, guest, volunteers, and vendors.  
• Perform various duties as assigned; participate in and provide support for Community Engagement, Conservation Engagement, and Conservation Learning activities including: special events, Free Days, professional development opportunities, programmatic needs and departmental strategic planning.  

Technical/Professional Requirements & Qualifications 

• Bilingual in Spanish/English (preferred). 
• Experience providing outstanding customer service to diverse audiences.  
• Exposure to working with multigenerational audiences or students of varied ages in a professional setting preferred; outstanding group management skills. 
• Knowledge of informal teaching strategies to connect with children, families, and the community; instructs with enthusiasm and passion to inspire discovery and learning in others. 
• Comfort and confidence in presentation skills; ability to communicate effectively in noisy, crowded situations.