Conservation Education Coordinator

Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo

Conservation Education Coordinator

The Santa Fe College (SF) Teaching Zoo is a unique, 10- acre zoo in Gainesville, Florida, and is the only zoo on a college campus accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Home to over 70 different species of animal and maintained by SF students in the premier Zoo Animal Technology program, the zoo showcases a diverse collection that contains both native and exotic species for all to enjoy.

The Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo is seeking a Conservation Education Coordinator who is ready to do more than deliver programs, this role helps shape the next generation of zoo education professionals while strengthening conservation impact across our community. As the only AZA-accredited zoo on a college campus, we are in a rare position to blend hands-on animal care, public engagement, and professional mentorship into one meaningful career opportunity.

This position will play a key role in defining and advancing the conservation priorities of the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo, while helping bring our 15-year master plan to life through dynamic guest experiences, ambassador animal programming, and mission-driven education that inspires action. Located in Gainesville, Florida, a vibrant college town with strong conservation partnerships, outdoor culture, and access to some of the state's most important ecosystems;

this role offers a uniquely connected place to build a career in zoo education and conservation.

The Conservation Education Coordinator is responsible for providing knowledge and assistance to visitors at the SF Teaching Zoo with specific responsibilities for conservation and public education. This role integrates conservation learning experiences, public engagement, and ambassador animal programming to ensure the highest standards of education and mission delivery. The Coordinator models professional zoo education practices, reinforces teamwork behaviors, and actively mentors students, interns, and staff.

Through collaborative leadership, this role also supports the zoo's operational excellence, educational mission, and AZA accreditation standards.

Additionally, the Coordinator designs, evaluates, and enhances conservation education and interpretive programming for both the zoo and students in the ZAT program. This includes developing educational materials and supporting resources that ensure a meaningful educational experience. As an educator, the Coordinator develops content, prepares instructional materials, and occasionally leads tours, interpreting topics such as animal backgrounds, care and handling, conservation issues, and other subjects of interest.

This position also supervises assigned staff and is responsible for training, scheduling, and evaluating direct reports to ensure high-quality conservation and public education. This position may work weekends, holidays, events or during college closures.

Essential Duties and

Other Responsibilities:

* Develops, evaluates, and continuously improves mission-based conservation education and interpretative programming for visitors and ZAT students, including tours, outreach, presentations, tabling events, and conservation initiatives.

* Collaborates with zoo faculty and curatorial leadership to align educational programs with curriculum goals, animal management priorities, and conservation messaging, serving as a resource for faculty and students involved in guest-facing activities.

* Partners with the Zoo Curator to ensure ambassador animals are selected, housed, presented, and utilized in accordance with all applicable laws, regulations, AZA standards and internal procedures.

* Models, trains, and evaluates ethical ambassador animal handling practices for students, interns, staff, and volunteers, ensuring all interactions prioritize animal welfare and guest safety.

* Collects, analyzes, and reports program participation and impact data to guide continuous improvement and support institutional planning and accreditation requirements

* Supports grant development for the zoo and provides donor stewardship through guided tours, customized educational experiences, and representation at donor-facing events.

* Leads all conservation education components of AZA accreditation, including writing, editing, and assembling required documentation, coordinating team contributions, and preparing for evaluations.

* Maintains awareness of evolving AZA conservation and education standards, industry initiatives, and best practices, ensuring programs meet or exceed accreditation expectations.

* Ensures all education staff and ZAT students adhere to established communication and animal handling protocols, providing ongoing training and corrective guidance as needed.

* Works collaboratively and proactively with all zoo staff and internal departments to support guest-facing elements of operations, including signage, way finding, habitat changes, public messaging, social media content, interview requests, event…