Youth Conservation Programs Manager

6200 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030, USA

Posted Tuesday, September 1, 2026 at 6:00 AM

Supports and mentors conservation education staff focused on cultivating and equipping conservation leadership for our community and support diverse and accessible conservation workforce development in the Zoo’s staff pipeline. Guides the development and facilitation of programs to inspire teens and early career professionals to act on behalf of animals in the wild. Promotes a positive culture of innovation, empowerment and collaboration to meet the Houston Zoo’s mission.

Houston Zoo connects communities with animals, inspiring action to save wildlife.

Houston Zoo will be a leader in the global movement to save wildlife.

• Manages and supports development, implementation, and evaluation of audience-focused conservation education programming including teen programs, adventure programs and a year-round leadership experience for early career conservation professionals.
• Directs the development of domestic and international travel programs to connect teens and early career professionals with our field conservation partners.
• Responsible for the safety and wellbeing of youth program participants through development of program operating procedures and policies
• Responsible for the safety and security of youth when traveling domestically and internationally. Will be required to maintain American Red Cross CPR/First Aid and Wilderness First Responder certifications.
• Oversees alignment of audience programming to ensure a continuum of learning that is accessible and engages diverse audiences from the Greater Houston area.
• Promotes and models an equitable and inclusive atmosphere within the youth leadership development program which recognizes the value and contributions of youth of all backgrounds and identities.
• Communicates and partners effectively within the team, across all Zoo departments, and with other zoo, museum and aquarium personnel, community organizations, educators, informal/formal educational organizations, contractors, program funders and other professional organizations.
• Directs and manages a team of program supervisors and coordinators in the areas of hiring, program development, program evaluation, and training.
• Facilitates team growth professionally and create an encouraging culture by identifying education team members' strengths, providing professional development opportunities and feedback, and delegating effectively.
• Responsible for the recruitment, selection, development, evaluation, and performance management of direct reports.
• Responsible for developing and training staff on safety and security protocol during off-grounds programming including local, regional and international adventure programs.
• Works with direct reports to create and implement individual programs the collective department’s budget.
• Assists in the development of Conservation Education Department goals and objectives and manages the implementation of new initiatives accordingly.
• Collaborates with all departments to implement Zoo and division initiatives.
• Utilizes sound evaluation principles to drive program modifications and development.
• Designs and implements evaluation tools to measure the effectiveness and impact of conservation education programs.
• Compiles reports and disseminates research findings, program successes, and impact stories to diverse audiences, showcasing the Zoo’s conservation efforts.
• Demonstrates strong facilitation skills and the ability to plan, organize, and coordinate programs in an effective manner with multiple stakeholders to achieve desired outcomes.
• Seeks out and fosters best practices from other well-respected educational institutions.
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