Vice President of Education & Conservation
Full-time
• Knox County
• Remote Option: No
• Salary Range: $100,000 – $150,000
Summary
Description
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
Mission Alignment and Guest Engagement:
Actively supports Zoo Knoxville’s mission, vision, and core values in all work and interactions.
Champions and models the ideals of the Zoo by:
Welcoming and engaging guests at every point of interaction.
Inspiring guests to learn more, care more, and take action to save wildlife and wild places.
Leading in the delivery of exceptional, memorable guest service experiences that align with Zoo Knoxville’s mission and brand.
Leadership and Strategic Direction:
Leads the strategic development, implementation, and evaluation of all education and conservation initiatives, both on and off Zoo grounds.
Develops and manages a comprehensive work plan for Conservation and Education, including goals, objectives, timelines, budgets, and revenue projections.
Provides vision and leadership to ensure Zoo Knoxville’s education and conservation programs achieve institutional goals and make measurable conservation impacts.
Oversees the management and strategic direction of the Zoo’s volunteer program, as well as the on-grounds school field trips and access programs for Knox County schools.
Serves as a core member of the exhibit design team, guiding the creation of engaging, mission-driven experiences and interpretive messaging.
Works closely with the Chief Operating Officer on conservation communications and partnerships with organizations such as AZA SAFE and the IUCN SSC.
Partners with the Zoological Department to ensure all animal chats, presentations, and ambassador programs are accurate, engaging, and impactful. Leads the interpretation of our animal exhibits.
Program Development and Community Partnerships:
Designs and evaluates innovative education programs that reach diverse audiences using a variety of media, methods, and technologies.
Builds strong relationships with schools, teachers, and youth-serving organizations (e.g., YMCA, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts) to expand educational reach and impact.
Collaborates with local and regional education partners to align Zoo Knoxville’s programming with community and curriculum needs, particularly with Knox County Schools.
Partners with the Public Relations/Communications, Marketing and Zoological teams to develop interpretive media, digital resources, and educational content.
Investigates and forges partnerships with external organizations to advance the Zoo’s education and conservation goals.
Represents Zoo Knoxville in local, regional, national, and international education and conservation programs (including IUCN), designating staff for participation as appropriate.
Operational Management and Fiscal Responsibility:
Oversees all budgets and accounts, ensuring fiscal responsibility, compliance, and achievement of revenue goals.
Identifies and develops innovative sources of earned and contributed revenue to support education and conservation initiatives.
Leads the Zoo’s conservation granting process, including submission, administration, and reporting.
Works with the Advancement team to seek and secure external funding, sponsorships, and gifts that advance educational and conservation priorities.
Staff Leadership and Development:
Provides direct supervision, mentorship, and professional development for education and conservation staff.
Oversees hiring, scheduling, performance evaluations, and succession planning for all subordinate staff.
Ensures effective use and training of volunteers, including adult and teen Volunteer Program.
Coordinates disciplinary actions and performance management in collaboration with the Human Resources Department.
Follows a mentor leadership style. Fosters a culture of collaboration, innovation, and excellence aligned with Zoo Knoxville’s mission.
Program Evaluation and Standards Compliance:
Develops and implements tools and metrics to assess the effectiveness and impact of education and conservation programs.
Ensures all education and conservation policies comply with accreditation standards set by AZA and applicable federal and state regulations.
Maintains the integrity and consistency of Zoo Knoxville’s brand and messaging across all education materials, exhibits, and programs.
Promotes and implements sustainable practices and messaging to guests and the community.
Professional Development and Institutional Representation:
Stays current with trends in conservation, education, sustainability, and emerging technologies.
Participates in professional development and industry conferences to maintain the Zoo’s leadership position in informal education and conservation.
Ensures staff participation and institutional representation in national and international professional networks.
Other Responsibilities:
Completes and maintains all required institutional training, including safety, first aid, and emergency response.
Performs other duties as assigned to support the mission and operations of Zoo Knoxville.
Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in education, conservation, biology, environmental science, or related field required; advanced degree preferred.
- Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in informal education, conservation engagement, or related leadership roles.
- Demonstrated success in developing and implementing large-scale education or conservation initiatives.
- Proven leadership, organizational, communication, and motivational skills.
- Experience in grant writing, fundraising, and partnership development.
- Ability to work collaboratively across departments and with diverse community partners.
- Strong understanding of AZA standards and best practices preferred.
KEY COMPETENCIES
- Strategic Vision: Ability to anticipate future organizational needs and translate long-term goals into actionable strategies that integrate financial stewardship, human capital, and technology. Leverages data, insight, and industry best practices to guide decision-making, support sustainable growth, and position the organization for long-term mission success.
- Integrity: Demonstrates unwavering ethical standards, sound judgment, and transparency in all decisions and actions. Upholds fiduciary responsibility, ensures accurate and accountable financial and operational practices, and builds trust with staff, leadership, and the Board through honesty, consistency, and principled leadership.
- Innovation: Proactively identifies and champions new ideas, technologies, and approaches that enhance organizational effectiveness and financial sustainability. Encourages creative problem-solving, continuous improvement, and data-driven experimentation to improve processes, elevate performance, and advance the Zoo’s mission in a changing environment.
- Collaboration: Builds strong, trust-based relationships across departments, with executive leadership, the Board of Directors, and external partners. Actively listens, values diverse perspectives, and works collaboratively to align resources, solve complex challenges, and achieve shared organizational goals.
- Adaptability: Demonstrates resilience and agility in navigating change, uncertainty, and complex challenges. Effectively adjusts strategies, priorities, and leadership approaches in response to evolving organizational needs, financial conditions, and external factors, while maintaining focus on long-term goals and mission alignment.
- Mentor Leadership: Demonstrated ability to coach, develop, and empower team members through intentional mentorship, fostering professional growth, accountability, and succession readiness. Leads by example, provides constructive feedback, and creates an environment where individuals and teams are supported, challenged, and prepared to advance both personally and professionally in service of the organization’s mission.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
As an employee of Zoo Knoxville, you must possess English communication skills as well as the ability to communicate using a 2-way radio, email, and telephone. The position hours vary depending on business needs and will require weekend and some holiday shifts. Depending on the specific tasks, this position will be required to work within close proximity of exotic and domestic animals and must be aware that there are dangers inherent in working under those conditions. Zoo Knoxville is committed to maintaining a drug free workplace and as such, each employee must pass a pre-employment drug screen and background check.
Compensation and Benefits
Zoo Knoxville offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, commensurate with experience.
Don’t meet every requirement? At Zoo Knoxville we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience does not align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.
How to Apply
🔗 Learn more and apply here: https://www.zooknoxville.org/careers/