Animal Engagement Educator

Join to apply for the Animal Engagement Educator (Full Time) role at Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium.

Starting pay: $19.00/hr.

The Animal Engagement Educator delivers interpretive educational content while maintaining the highest standards of animal welfare for the ambassador animal collection. This position helps foster an inclusive and welcoming educational environment through in‑person and off‑site programming. The role also provides daily care for the ambassador animals, including habitat maintenance, diet preparation, enrichment, and operant‑conditioning training.

• Enhances the guest experience by initiating conversations, assisting, answering questions, and educating about the ambassador animals.
• Implements inclusive teaching strategies, modifies interpretation styles, and incorporates learning models to provide a successful learning experience for all audiences.
• Showcases ability to work autonomously by pivoting during presentations, reading animals’ behavior, and using best judgment to make decisions regarding safety.
• Develops and delivers on‑site and off‑site educational programming primarily focused on camps held at the zoo and other community organizations.
• Maintains a general understanding of the animal collection, conservation projects, and sustainability initiatives to effectively communicate appropriate conservation messaging to audiences.
• Embraces a variety of teaching and learning styles as appropriate for each program, such as co‑teaching, independent teaching, project‑based learning, and inquiry‑based learning.

• Performs daily animal husbandry activities, including preparing diets and delivering animal feedings.
• Observes, records, reports, and attends to animal behavior, health, and welfare.
• Administers medications and assists with various animal health procedures.
• Trains animals for basic husbandry, presentation, and enrichment behaviors.
• Creates and implements various enrichment items/strategies.
• Maintains records.
• Cleanse habitat and staff areas.
• Performs minor repairs and improvements.

• Resource gathering and maintenance.
• Administrative support.
• Working to consistently improve knowledge of animal welfare, interpretation techniques, and science education techniques.
• Assists in facilitating and implementing the zoo and aquarium’s mission, strategic plan, and core values.

• This position may at times be requested to perform other duties or special projects as assigned, which are in the best interest of the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium.
• All employees must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily and, upon request, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

• Bachelor’s degree, associate degree, or coursework in education, biology, or related field desired.
• High school diploma or GED accepted with at least 3 years of experience in a similar position.

• Previous experience in animal handling and knowledge of appropriate and safe handling techniques desired.
• Previous interpretation or other informal education experience desired.
• Previous zoo, aquarium, or museum related experience desired.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office and audio‑visual equipment.
• Strong presentation, verbal, and written communication skills.

• Must pass a background and drug screening.
• Must have valid driver’s license.
• Can move equipment weighing up to 50 pounds, with or without assistance.
• Must be willing to become CPR/First‑Aid certified.
• Must have or be able to obtain negative TB test.
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule, including weekends, holidays and overnight/evening hours, in all weather extremes.
• Please be aware that this position will consistently have exposure to nuts and shellfish.