Summer Public Educator – Seasonal Position 40 hours per week – Bergen County Zoo, Department of Parks & Recreation

Organizational Overview:

The Bergen County Zoo provides a clean, aesthetically pleasing facility that meets or exceeds the physical, environmental, and behavioral needs of the animals in its care. The goal of the zoo is to develop and maintain exhibits which emphasize natural behavior, encourage longevity, and promote breeding success. The zoo provides a unique and effective educational experience that fosters an appreciation for the interrelationships between the animals and their environments. It provides an enjoyable recreational experience for the residents and visitors of Bergen County.

Job Description:           

This employment opportunity is to serve as a seasonal Summer Public Educator at the Bergen County Zoo. Under the direction of full-time education staff, strive to provide high-quality, relevant, scientifically accurate education programs using audience-appropriate techniques. Through these programs, aim to increase audience’s knowledge of and empathy towards animals and their habitats, and inspire our audience to make informed, deliberate choices in their lives to preserve the natural world.

Job Responsibilities:              

  • Provide daily presentations for the public
  • Train in animal handling
  • Partake in daily animal enrichment and exercise
  • Develop and teach classes
  • Run, teach, and clean up birthday parties
  • Daily set-up and clean-up of classroom space for programs
  • Maintain a clean and organized working space
  • Occasional organizational and clerical tasks
  • Attend all staff trainings
  • Ability to work autonomously and as a team member
  • Project a professional image that reflects positively on the Zoo and County of Bergen
  • Perform additional duties, as assigned

Schedule:   

  • 40 hours a week up to 4 months
  • Applicants must be able and willing to work evening, weekends, and holidays.

Education & Experience Requirements: 

  • College student or graduate working towards a degree in education, animal sciences, environmental science, biology, or a related field  
  • Animal handling experience is a plus

Other Requirements:

  • Physical ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions
  • The ability to stand and walk for prolonged periods of time, up to three or more hours
  • Comfortable handling live animals, including invertebrates and reptiles if applicable
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal).
  • Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

What we offer:

  • Employee Assistance and Employee Wellness Programs

Salary: $15.92 / per hour

Please send resume and employment application to resume@bergencountynj.gov – put in subject line job applying for, thank you.

The County of Bergen is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer.

It has been and will continue to be a fundamental policy of The County of Bergen not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender, gender identity, pregnancy, marital status, partnership status, domestic violence victim status, sexual orientation, age, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, veteran or military status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, caregiver status, unemployment status or any other characteristic prohibited by federal, state and/or local laws.

This policy applies to all aspects of employment, including hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, training, working conditions, transfer, job assignments, benefits, layoff, and termination.