Job opportunities

Conservation Learning Manager

Dublin Zoo holds the prestigious position of being ‘Ireland’s Number One Fee Paying Family Attraction’ welcoming in excess of 1 million visitors each year.

Our purpose is to save wildlife and inspire a passion for nature – one person, one family at a time.

 

We are currently seeking a highly motivated and passionate Conservation Learning Manager to work within our busy and well-established Conservation Education Department to support Dublin Zoo in reaching its conservation education strategic objectives.

 

The Conservation Learning Manager will be responsible for the daily management of learning programme delivery at Dublin Zoo. They will lead a team of educators in ensuring professional delivery of high-quality conservation learning programmes and other educational output that aims to cultivate the next generation of conservationists.

 

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support the Head of Conservation Education to develop and deliver the learning programme priorities set out in Dublin Zoo’s Conservation Education Masterplan.
• ·Actively line manage and develop staff and interns in the department to achieve high quality team performance, providing supervision, feedback, guidance and training as required, including conducting regular performance reviews and 1:1 meetings.
• Lead the design, development and implementation of high quality formal and information learning programmes and other educational content in line with the Conservation Education Masterplan.
• Lead the day-to-day management of all aspects of learning programme delivery, responding to learner needs and to changes on the zoo site.
• Use a reflective practice framework of observations and feedback, ensure professional delivery of all learning programmes and educational output to the highest standards in education and in line with the Conservation Education Masterplan.
• Carry out regular evaluations of learning programmes to provide evidence of the effects and impacts of our learning programmes including gathering, analysing and reporting on evidence gathered.
• Plan, implement and deliver induction and training for new teaching staff on learning programmes, duties and department ethos.
• Report weekly and monthly on learning programmes to the Head of Conservation Education.
• Keep up to date on relevant conservation, sustainability and curriculum developments and maintain a creative and innovative approach towards generating new ideas and reviewing learning programmes so that they remain relevant, engaging and of high standard.
• Assist the Head of Conservation Education in the search and selection of teaching staff.
• Oversee the maintenance of the Conservation Education facilities, resources and biofacts.
• Work with department colleagues, the marketing team and design partners in producing educational materials and on-site interpretation with a strong attention to detail.
• Work collaboratively across the organisation and externally to achieve the objectives outlined in the Conservation Education Masterplan, including maintaining and developing partnerships with school support services, schools’ networks, universities and a variety of other partners.
• Represent Dublin Zoo at conferences, networking events or similar, when requested, raising the profile of our work.
• Contribute to the social action campaign work of Dublin Zoo including developing, with department colleagues, learning programmes that support social action campaigns.
• Ensure, with the Head of Conservation Education and the animal care department, that excellent standards of animal care and welfare are maintained in the Conservation Education Dept. animal collection, in line with the Zoo’s animal welfare policies.
• Ensure that all staff adhere to dress code standards and uniform policies.
• Follow up with complaints or grievances from parents/teachers/visitors should they arise.
• Observe and ensure the implementation of the highest Health and Safety standards including updating risk assessments on all learning activities.
• Promote a positive, harmonious, safe and supportive work environment.
• Deputise for the Head of Conservation Education and other senior department colleagues when required, representing and supporting the successful running of the full department.
• Support the coordination of learning programme bookings in Office Coordinator absence.
• Contribute to the positive visitor journey/experience at Dublin Zoo in the undertaking of Link duties (Duty Manager) on a rotational basis, including weekends & public holidays.
• Demonstrate a genuine interest in the zoo’s work and purpose, together with a flexible approach to working duties and hours.
• Perform other duties as assigned which will arise from time to time. Help with administrative duties are expected.

Requirements

Experience

Essential

• Previous experience in managing and developing teams in an educational setting. 
• Significant experience of delivering learning programmes to a range of age groups. 
• Extensive experience of designing and developing learning programmes across a range of age groups.
• Previous experience of training teams and utilising professional development or reflective practice frameworks.
• Experience of education at primary, secondary or third level. 

 

Desirable

• Manager on duty experience.
• Experience of using learning programmes to encourage sustainable behaviours to save wildlife

Knowledge

Essential

• Knowledge of the Irish curriculum at preschool, primary and secondary levels. 
• Knowledge of wildlife conservation, sustainability and the work of zoos. 

 

Desirable

• Knowledge of the further education sector.

Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to degree level in education, science, conservation, community work, youth work or a related field. 

Desirable

• Qualification in leadership or management.