Zoo educator jobs in Finland
Zoo educators teach visitors about the animals living at the zoo/aquarium as well as other species and habitats. They provide information about management of zoos, its collection of animals, and wildlife conservation. Zoo educators can be involved in both formal and informal learning opportunities ranging from production of information signs at enclosures to delivering classroom sessions linked to school or university curricula. Depending on the size of the organisation the education team may be a single person or a large team. Consequently the optional skills reqired are very broad and will vary from organisation to organisation.
Zoo educators also promote conservation efforts. This can involve work within the zoo but also in the field as part of any zoo outreach project(s).
Zoo educator - Which skills are essential?
Lead events by managing budget, logistics, event support, security, emergency plans and follow up.
Establish affectionate and long-lasting relationships with local communities, e.g. by organising special programms for kindergarden, schools and for dissabled and older people, raising awareness and receiving community appreciation in return.
The evolutionary history of animals and the development of species and their behaviour through domestication.
Create and develop educational resources for visitors, school groups, families and special interest groups.
Zoo and aquarium community on a local, regional and global scale. Zoo membership associations, their guiding principles and how this might affect management of individual institutions within the wider community.
Carry out effective research on relevant topics to be able to produce summary information appropriate to different audiences. The research may involve looking at books, journals, the internet, and/or verbal discussions with knowledgeable persons.
Employ various approaches, learning styles, and channels to instruct students, such as communicating content in terms they can understand, organising talking points for clarity, and repeating arguments when necessary. Use a wide range of teaching devices and methodologies appropriate to the class content, the learners' level, goals, and priorities.
Establish a sustainable network of useful and productive educational partnerships to explore business opportunities and collaborations, as well as stay current about trends in education and topics relevant to the organisation. Networks should ideally be developed on a local, regional, national and international scale.
Execute efficient search on the internet in order to gather relevant information and share it with others.
Speak to a variety of audiences about e.g. information, concepts, theories and/or activities related to nature and its conservation. Produce written information. This information may be presented in a range of formats e.g. display signs, information sheets, posters, website text etc.
Identify and implement the best channels of communication for the community you are looking to work with.
Develop speeches, activities and workshops in order to foster access and comprehension to the artistic creation processes. It can address a particular cultural and artistic event such as a show or an exhibition, or it can be related to a specific discipline (theatre, dance, drawing, music, photography etc.). Liaise with storytelles, craftspeople and artists.
Plan, perform and supervise educational activities for a variety of audiences, such as for school children, university students, specialist groups, or members of the public.
Fix and schedule professional appointments or meetings for clients or superiors.
Plan and coordinate educational and public outreach programs such as workshops, tours, lectures and classes.
The science of applying animal anatomy, physiology, ecology, and behaviour in a particular practical context.
Guarantee communication and cooperation with all the entities and teams in a given organisation, according to the company strategy.
Zoo educator - Which skills are useful but not essential?
Competent use of English; R351refers to level C1 in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Direct, control or restrain some or part of an animal's, or a group of animals', movement.
Lead, supervise and motivate a group of people, in order to meet the expected results within a given timeline and with the foreseen resources in mind.
Plan, monitor and report on the budget.
Manage volunteers' tasks, recruitment, programmes and budgets.
Master foreign languages to be able to communicate in one or more foreign languages.
Provide food and water to animals. This includes preparing food and water for animals and reporting any changes in the animal feeding or drinking habits.
Develop craft related activities for use with members of the public e.g. face painting, colouring in, mask making. Where possible ensure these activities are linked to relevant educational outcomes.
Integrate community outreach within conservation projects to encompass knowledge, social and emotional aspects of learning and engagement.
Animal responses to specific conditions or stimuli. Animal behaviour, ethology, learning theory, training methods, equipment, as well as communicating and working with animals and humans.
Train animals to facilitate their routine husbandry, for treatment, and/or public demonstrations.
The study of how organisms interact and their relation to the ambient environment.
Delegate activities and tasks to others according to the ability, level of preparation, competence and legal scope of practice. Make sure that people understand what they should do and when they should do it.
Brief volunteers and introduce them into the professional work environment.
Compile and integrate media and text content into online and offline systems, such as websites, platforms, applications and social media, for publishing and distribution.
Ensure clear and effective channels of communication across all departments within the organisation and support functions, both internally and externally ensuring that the team is aware of the standards and objectives of the department/business unit. Implement the disciplinary and grievance procedures as required ensuring that a fair and consistent approach to managing performance is consistently achieved. Assist in the recruitment process and manage, train and motivate employees to achieve/exceed their potential using effective performance management techniques. Encourage and develop a team ethic amongst all employees.
Monitor animals’ physical condition and behaviour and report any concerns or unexpected changes, including signs of health or ill-health, appearance, condition of the animals' accommodation, intake of food and water and environmental conditions.
Supervise craft related activities for use with members of the public e.g. face painting, colouring-in, mask making, ensuring that these activities are carried out safely.