Seasonal Education Specialist

Company: Great Plains Zoo
Location: Sioux Falls
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

The Great Plains Zoo welcomes applicants for our Seasonal Education Specialist. The position is responsible for the implementation of the on-site and community-based education programs at both GPZ and BHA, and requires the ability handle ambassador animals. Programming occurs on weekdays, weekends, holidays, and evenings. Please apply at greatzoo.org/careers to be considered for this position. Essential Functions Maintain an enthusiastic, self-reliant and self-starting approach to job responsibilities and accountability. Strive to anticipate workload and initiate proper acceptable direction for the completion of work with a minimum of supervision or instruction. Education Promote the Zoo’s mission by conducting education programs so that learning is a fun, engaging, memorable experience for your audience. Present a variety of Education programs for a wide range of ages and audiences. Utilize appropriate techniques to engage and educate participants, based on age, interest, and learning abilities. Provide excellent customer service to teachers and informal educators, students, volunteers, and visitors in all types of programming and special events. Communicate with appropriate contacts to schedule Education department programming. Answer correspondence and provide informational services in response to telephone, written or personal inquiries. Work closely with the Education director and permanent and seasonal Education staff to ensure effective planning, preparation, and execution of all Education programs, including but not limited to camps, early childhood programs, overnights, on-grounds programming and outreach. Work in coordination with the Education Director and other Education staff with ideas, comments, evaluations tools and suggestions for future program development. Prepares written material when required for Education Department programs (lesson plans, information sheets, etc.). Track attendance, time on programs, and other needed data on education programming as needed in appropriate documents Demonstrate teamwork and coordination when dealing with other departments including facilities, guest services, volunteers, and animal care. Duties may include working with teen, adult, and group volunteers and interns. Animal Care Handle and present ambassador animals in a safe, professional manner. Report any signs of illness, lethargy, or injury to the Director of Animal Care, Veterinarian, or Area Supervisors as appropriate. Follow all protocols and procedures to ensure that all ambassador animals are maintained in a safe and secure environment when transporting, training and conducting programs. Additional Duties Monitor and supervise BHA butterfly conservatory and/or touch tank. Assist with cleaning, inspecting, and cataloging of museum artifacts. Provide support to development and guest engagement teams during special events, fundraisers, and donor events. Assist Education Director with seasonal attractions team as needed, by acting as daily contact person or covering locations (farm attendant, walkabout kangaroo, carousel, and train). Perform other tasks as assigned. Competency Excellent communication skills. Must be comfortable with people and able to give presentations to various sized groups of people of all ages. Manual dexterity is necessary to carefully handle a variety of ambassador animals and museum artifacts. Must be flexible, self-motivated, enthusiastic and a team player. Must demonstrate punctual attendance, reliability and good time management skills. Proficiency in MS Office products (Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint) and the ability to produce written materials for various publications and marketing tools. Work Schedule The season for this position is April – August. This position will be scheduled for at least 24 hours per week during that season and will be scheduled for 40 hours per week during May, June, and July. Weekday, weekend, holiday, and evening work will be required. Required Education and Experience Requires a college degree in biological science, education or related field. Applicable experience may be considered in place of degree requirements. Requires experience presenting informal or formal education programs, preferably in an animal-related setting.

Keywords: Great Plains Zoo, Sioux Falls , Seasonal Education Specialist, Education / Teaching , Sioux Falls, South Dakota