Woodland Park Zoo, located in the Phinney Ridge area of Seattle, is one of the world’s foremost zoological institutions. Situated on 92 beautifully landscaped acres, the zoo is home to over 1,100 animals representing (300 species with 70+ species threatened with extinction). The award-winning accredited zoo is famed for pioneering naturalistic exhibits and setting international standards for zoos in animal care, conservation, education programs and guest experience.
Woodland Park Zoo saves animals and their habitats through conservation leadership and engaging experiences, inspiring people to learn, care and act. Founded in 1899, Woodland Park Zoo has sparked delight, discovery and unforgettable memories for generations of Northwest families. People who experience the wonders of the natural world are inspired to protect it. That’s why every year the zoo leads more than 1 million people on a journey that inspires a lifelong love of animals, makes science come alive, and gives people the tools to take conservation action. With a unique combination of public and private support, the zoo hosts over 1.2 million visitors annually with one of the highest membership bases (40,000+) among Puget Sound cultural attractions and museums. As a “living classroom,” Woodland Park Zoo reaches nearly 75,000 students and teachers annually through its formal education programs. In addition, the zoo supports more than 35 field conservation programs working to save animals and habitats around the world and in the Pacific Northwest. Woodland Park Zoo has annual operating revenues of $39M of which the development function at the zoo contributes about $4.5 million. Other revenue sources include about $12 million or 1/3 of the total operating budget from governmental sources (City of Seattle and King County), about $4 million through memberships, $9 million from attendance and the rest from a diverse stream of earned income sources including summer concerts, contracts with food and retail vendors, education programs and sponsorships. Woodland Park Zoo is led by a dynamic and talented leadership team with a strong and engaged Board. Through a 20-year operating agreement partnering with the City of Seattle, the zoo is truly a beloved institution.
THE POSITION
Advance the mission of Woodland Park Zoo (WPZ) by overseeing the development and implementation of a diverse and innovative suite of life-wide and lifelong educational programs and experiences that support conservation of the world’s wildlife. Support local and national learning standards and engage zoo guests in informal learning opportunities and fun social engagements which promote social change and conservation action. The VP of Education will partner with local communities, nonprofits and universities as well as state and federal institutions to develop a regional ecosystem of informal science opportunities which are relevant, welcoming and accessible to all members of our multicultural and growing community. The primary areas of responsibility include:
- Education partnerships and fundraising
- Guest engagement and education strategic vision
- Education science and visitor research
- Education programs and exhibit interpretation frameworks
- Department budget and operations
Reporting to the President and CEO and serving as a member of the zoo’s executive leadership team, this position is critical in furthering the mission of the zoo and driving our communities’ connection to the natural world.
ISSUES AND CHALLENGES
- The Vice President of Education will work closely with the President and CEO, Board and senior staff to develop, execute and evaluate a learning and engagement model for zoo audiences which promotes affective connections to animals, positive social interactions, understanding of science concepts and engagement in pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors.
- WPZ is a leader in the Washington Informal Science Education (WISE) consortium made up of the major informal science learning organizations in the region (Museum of Flight, Seattle Aquarium, Pacific Science Center, Burke Museum, and Islandwood). The Vice President of Education will work closely with partner organizations to guide the vision and implementation of WISE initiatives towards building an informal science learning ecosystem in the greater Seattle area.
- WPZ is renowned as a pioneer and a leading institution in creating immersive, naturalistic exhibits. With two major exhibit renovations planned in the next 4 years, an increasingly diverse visitor base, and ever-growing emphasis on leveraging the zoo experience to promote pro-environment behaviors, it is essential that the zoo create an interpretive master plan to define how visitors will experience the zoo and serve as a companion to the long range physical development plan in order to improve guest engagement, diversity, participation and conservation outcomes.
- Seattle is at the center of a large-scale evolution in social and technological innovation. WPZ is exploring opportunities to work with the technological community to develop high quality, interactive educational and cultural experiences utilizing new media and other 21st century tools to create a scientifically literate public, a vibrant economy and a critical citizenry.
- WPZ maintains a strong education and community outreach program and is striving to develop partnerships, cultural competencies and programs that connect the increasingly diverse communities of Seattle with the zoo and its mission.
- WPZ has a group of dedicated and talented education staff which has recently implemented a strategic realignment of roles and positions and has experienced significant leadership turnover in the past two years. The new Vice President of Education will have an opportunity to shape and develop the team moving forward.
KEY COMPONENTS OF THE POSITION INCLUDE:
- Provide vision, a strong theoretical education background, strategic direction, and leadership in order to ensure that education and interpretation programs drive the zoo’s mission and strategic plan.
- Drive a strong social innovation thread across all programming by expanding access to, and engagement in, scientific inquiry for all audiences, inside and outside the zoo, and particularly for underserved communities in the greater Seattle area.
- Continue to expand audience research methods to drive strong evaluation and quantifiable impacts in education, interpretation and engagement in science.
- Oversee messaging development and coordinate content design for exhibits and educational media essential to zoo exhibits.
- Continually monitor program effectiveness in accordance with the zoo’s mission, Informal Science Education standards and AZA Conservation Education standards as well as national and local formal education curriculum that are inclusive of diverse audiences.
- Provide leadership and vision to education staff and the Board of Directors regarding the development of innovative, creative, fun and effective educational programming for the future.
- Work in close cooperation with local, national and international institutions and communities to develop joint wildlife conservation education programs.
- Serve as chief spokesperson for the department. Make personal appearances and presentations to various media, organizations, educational and corporate entities, funders, and others.
- Be an aggressive fundraiser. Work in coordination with the Development Department and the CEO to advance the education agenda of WPZ, including the development of proposals, cultivation efforts and garnering government and foundation support. Continue to nurture a culture of fundraising among all Education Department managers.
- Develop and administer the Education Department’s budget (subject to strict fiscal budgetary controls). Monitor grant budget and grantee expenditures.
- Oversee the volunteer program. Ensure volunteers are continuously given opportunities to learn more about conservation and animals, and to make an impact every day through their active role in the zoo community..
- Stay current with, and promote implementation of, best practices in informal science education, conservation psychology, audience research and other relevant professional developments.
The ideal candidate for this position will possess a doctorate or master’s degree in one or more fields related to education, education psychology, life sciences, or equivalent experience or disciplinary background. We would love to talk to people who have experience with the development of audience-driven, data rich, or technology-based learning and other recent innovations in non-formal education, along with 5-8 years of direct supervisory and management experience. Seeking individuals with an exceptional ability to create and nurture an environment of diversity, respect, dignity and entrepreneurial spirit.
Come to Woodland Park Zoo and help us change the world!
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