EDUCATION PROG. COORDINATOR
The Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden (MPZBG) is seeking an energetic, experienced professional to be part of the Zoo team. Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden is the number one family tourist attraction in Evansville and is a significant cultural institution for our community. MPZBG provides enjoyable educational experiences to help others understand, appreciate and care for our natural world, and to promote conservation and sustainability in the region. . MPZBG has an immediate opening for an Education Specialist.
Position: Education Specialist I – Camp & Data Coordinator
Organization: Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden, City of Evansville
Classification: Part-time, Non-Exempt
Schedule: Flexible hours, up to 29 hours/week
Reports to: Conservation Education Curator
The Education Specialist I - Camp & Data Coordinator will assist the Education Curator with Camp Zoofari programs and experiences, ensuring that campers have an enjoyable, educational, and safe experience. The Specialist will help the Curator to develop camp curriculum & schedules, prepare for camps and counselor trainings, coordinate activities with other departments, and supervise camp operations. The Specialist will collect data and generate reports on the use of ambassador animals and biofacts, program audiences & topics, and issue program evaluations and surveys. The Specialist may perform programs and interact with a variety of audiences. The chosen applicant will gain hands-on experience and professional growth in program development, program assessment, project management, camp management, data keeping and reporting, teamwork, and zoo operations.
Assist the Education Curator with the development and implementation of camp programs and experiences for Camp Zoofari day camps:
- Champion daily camp operational needs, assisting with staff coverage and tasks as needed.
- Research, develop, and prepare camp curriculum that engages and excites young campers.
- Print and assemble all camp counselor curriculum / schedule packets
- Coordinate cooperative activities with other departments. I.e. giraffe feedings, keeper talks.
- Inventory, shop, purchase, and prepare all camp supplies.
- Assist with seasonal camp counselor training.
- Build Constant Contact communication emails to camp families for pre/post camp.
- Issue survey to camp parents and pre/post survey to campers.
- Sort camp photos into folders on Google Drive and share link with parents.
- Perform short programs for campers i.e. animal encounters, contact yard, etc.
- Assist with general camps needs as they arise.
Assist the Education Curator in collecting data and generating annual reports to evaluate the impact of programming:
- Compile camp data, including attendance, income, satisfaction, and impact.
- Compile program data and generate an annual programs report.
- Compile ambassador animal and biofact use data and generate an annual use report.
- Evaluates the ambassador animal use & needs.
- Maintains a current inventory of biofacts.
- Maintains efficient forms for data collection.
- Assists with general tasks as needed.
- Must be 18 years of age and have a valid driver license.
- High school diploma or equivalent required; college course work preferred.
- Experience in customer service and/ or education preferred.
- Must be able to communicate effectively and professionally with staff, volunteers, and the public.
- Ability to maintain a friendly and professional demeanor and appearance.
- Ability to work independently and cooperatively as part of a team.
- Flexibility to serve as needed based on educational and operational demands.
- Demonstrates self-motivation, ambition, and enthusiasm in work ethic.
- Demonstrates integrity, dependability, and professionalism in personal conduct.
- Must have excellent oral & written communication skills.
- Must be thorough, organized and detail oriented.
- Ability to use Microsoft Word, Excel, and Publisher.
- Ability to use office equipment including computer, fax, phone and two-way radio.
- Must be willing to work up to 29 hours per week, especially during peak visitor seasons.
- Must be flexible and available to work some evenings, weekends and holidays.
- Involves activity indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions.
- Must be able to stand, walk on uneven terrain, and remain on feet for extended periods of time.
- Able to move moderate to heavy items (up to 50 pounds).
Position : 3111969
Code : 1-38
Type : INTERNAL & EXTERNAL
Location : MESKER PARK ZOO
Posting Start : 04/07/2026
Posting End : 12/31/9999
