Education Manager

Education Manager - Operations

Collaborate with a passionate Zoo Crew in San Antonio

Choosing where to grow your career has a major impact on your professional and personal life, so it's equally important you know that the place you choose to work at will support and guide you. With a diversity of passionate people, San Antonio Zoo is a place where you can collaborate with others securing a future for wildlife.

The Impact You'll Make in this Role

As the Education Manager – Operations, you will play a key role in ensuring the smooth, efficient, and mission-driven operation of the Zoo's Education Programs Team. In this role, you'll oversee daily operations including registrations, payment processing, office management, and reporting for all Education Programs initiatives. The central focus of this position is Field Trips — from initial marketing and registration through arrival logistics and reporting.

Additionally, you will manage and coach part-time staff, overseeing scheduling, onboarding and training, payroll, and appraisals. Collaborating closely with the Education Manager – Programs, you will help deliver a seamless, high-quality experience that supports the Zoo's mission and inspires curiosity in every visitor.

Success in this position requires exceptional organization and attention to detail, strong communication skills, and a passion for creating impactful educational experiences in a dynamic, team-oriented environment.

As an Education Manager for Operations, you will have the opportunity to tap into your curiosity and collaborate with some of the most innovative and diverse people in San Antonio. Here, you will make an impact by:

• Collaborate with the Programs Manager and colleagues to plan, implement, and support field trips and educational programs, events, and initiatives that inspire securing a future for wildlife and connect with zoo mission.
• Manage the daily operations of the Education Programs Team, ensuring efficiency and excellence across all activities.
• Oversee all aspects of daily operations, including setup and maintenance of the online registration system, collecting and processing payments, daily guest service, and dissemination of information.
• Facilitate field trip arrivals and departures, including organization of groups, allocation of resources, coordination of multiple entry/exit points, and dissemination of information between zoo teams and leadership.
• Oversee, report and analyze Title 1 Funding and grant awards.
• Supervise part time educators and collaborate to ensure effective schedules, training and meaningful feedback.
• Cultivate effective and amicable relationships between zoo teams and departments.
• Collaborate with all Education Teams to support a broad range of programming on a day-to-day basis, including Zoo Camp.
• Support the Education Programs Team, Education Department, and zoo wide initiatives.
• Uphold all company policies as outlined in the Zoo Standard Operating Procedures, Team Member Handbook, and Code of Business Conduct.
• Consistently exhibit an attitude of service inside and outside of the zoo, showing hospitality to all.
• Be fully committed to the mission of San Antonio Zoo to create awareness that inspires action to care for the wild world we steward and the animals we protect.

Other Responsibilities:

• Performs other work-related duties as required and assigned.

Your Skills and Expertise

To set you up for success in this role from day one, the San Antonio Zoo recommends the following skills/qualifications:

• At least one year leadership experience, preferably managing educators or part-time staff in a similar setting.
• Excellent customer service skills, energetic and positive attitude, and self-motivated work ethic.
• Understanding of local school districts, as well as school transportation and field trip trends.
• Ability to coordinate and organize multiple projects simultaneously, exercise sound judgment and react effectively under pressure.
• Ability to train and motivate effectively and amicably.
• Proven team player with strong interpersonal skills, positive outlook and ability to work effectively and diplomatically with diverse internal and external groups and teams.
• Ability to communicate professionally, confidently, clearly, and concisely, on the phone, over the radio, in person and in writing.
• Exceptional organizational skills with strong attention to detail.
• Proficiency using Microsoft Word, Excel, and related programs and the confidence to learn department specific software systems.
• Flexibility and adaptability in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Passion for education, awesome guest service, and team-oriented dynamics.
• Experience and passion for educational programming (children and families) within a conservation-based organization.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to spend extended lengths of time outdoors, in all types of weather
• Ability to speak and understand Spanish preferred.
• Prior experience with registration or ticketing systems and/or managing large groups preferred.
• Responsible for the completion of all online training curriculum by assigned deadlines.
• Successful candidates must complete a pre-employment drug screening and background check.
• Must be able to work in varying climate and weather conditions (rain, snow, hot, or cold).
• Ability to accommodate flexible schedule and willingness to regularly work weekdays, weekends, holidays and evening/after-hour assignments.

The San Antonio Zoo is an equal opportunity employer. San Antonio Zoo will not discriminate against any applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.