Humane Educator

Job Type
Full-time
Description
Job Title:Humane Educator
Department: Marketing & Communications
Reports To: Marketing & Communications Director
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt, Full-time
Schedule: Tuesday - Saturday
Salary Range: $21.00 - $29.00 per hour (hiring range: $21.00 - $25.00 per hour)
Overview:
The Sacramento SPCA is a vibrant, well-established, and respected non-profit animal welfare organization. Through our nationally-ranked high-volume spay and neuter clinic (we are ranked as one of the top 10 clinics in the country!), successful adoption program, behavior and training programs, and commitment to excellent animal care, the Sacramento SPCA is giving more than shelter and saving animals one life at a time.
General Summary:
The Humane Educator will lead education outreach and programs on behalf of the Sacramento SPCA. The Humane Educator is responsible for the creation and implementation of curricula and educational opportunities that promote animal welfare, compassion, and empathy in support of the mission of the Sacramento SPCA. This role identifies community needs in order to develop and present educational programs to a wide variety of community groups with audiences of varying ages and backgrounds on such topics as animal welfare, animal rights, and animal behavior.
The ideal candidate will have previous experience leading youth camps and class presentations and thrives in delivering high-energy and positive experiences to diverse groups of youth in our community.
Essential Job Functions:

• Develop and maintain comprehensive knowledge of Sacramento SPCA programs and services as well as industry-wide humane education curricula and standards.
• Oversee all scheduling, organizing, room set up/clean up, lesson planning and implementation of education programs, including day camps, youth engagement programs, offsite presentations, birthday parties, field trips and educational shelter tours.
• Plan, organize, and supervise winter, spring, and summer Camp Kindness sessions for children ages 7 through 15.
• Develop, launch, and oversee a new teen volunteer program for students ages 15 - 17, to create a steady source of future volunteers and animal care staff recruits.
• Deliver presentations to Sacramento County Schools, youth groups and community organizations and coordinate education efforts.
• Prepares education materials in collaboration with Red Rover Reading program for schools and the public.
• Manage groups of children ages 7-15 through proper classroom oversight and behavior modification techniques.
• Enhance and maintain ongoing relationships through lesson plans, newsletters, updates on shelter activities and special projects.
• Serve as project liaison for students seeking to complete a community service project at the Sacramento SPCA.
• Recruit, train and supervise education and animal volunteers (including volunteer staff) with a goal to maintain a group of loyal, consistent volunteers to draw upon throughout the year.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Development and Operations teams to maximize program awareness.
• Assist Community Engagement Specialist with participating in community events and stepping in for on-air Pet of the Week segments when needed.
• Build a network of community leaders, business partners, teachers and parents that promote education opportunities at the Sacramento SPCA and support programs as participants or presenters.
• Make recommendations to leadership to create new education opportunities, to revise current programs or to discontinue programs that are not meeting goals.
• Maintain educational materials distributed at community events.
• Provide quality customer service to clients, volunteers, and staff while actively promoting our mission, services, programs, and events.
• Commit to self-education and professional development to stay current on best practices and effective education models at other animal welfare organizations.
• Facilitates campus tours virtually and in person for school age classes, scout troops and members of the public.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:

• Represent the Sacramento SPCA at the highest level in public speaking engagements and presentations as requested, including on-air media interviews.
• Develop and maintain good working relationships with schools and appropriate agencies.
• Provide assistance to community groups, students, educators and the public seeking information on animal-related issues.
• Maintain a library of educational materials (books, slides, visual aids etc.) for classroom use and other educational opportunities.
• Facilitate funding to support the Humane Education Program.
• Must be punctual and maintain regular, predictable attendance.
• Must be committed to a high standard of safety and be willing and able to comply with all safety laws and all the employer's safety policies and rules and must be willing to report safety violations and potential safety violations to appropriate supervisory or management personnel.
• Assist other departments/staff with special events, community events as needed.
• Assist with other duties as assigned.

Requirements
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of teaching methods to accommodate students' varied learning processes. Skill in lesson planning and presentation.
• Demonstrated interpersonal relationship skills to include building alliances with schools and community organizations.
• Knowledge of animal welfare issues; highly motivated toward promoting animal welfare and protection.
• Familiarity with age-appropriate education curricula and mandates.
• Knowledge of virtual learning platforms and how to host virtual educational events.
• Ability to perform well under pressure.
• Ability to organize, supervise and motivate volunteers.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, employees and the general public.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in education, animal sciences or related field or experience equivalent.
• 1-2 years previous teaching experience.
• 1-2 years previous experience leading camps preferred.
• Experience and comfort delivering presentations to a variety of different age groups.
• Have a valid California Driver's license and clear driving record for one year prior to employment in order to operate Sacramento SPCA vehicles.
• Upon hire, must submit fingerprints and pass a background check.
• Completion of Pediatric First Aid & CPR or ability to complete the required coursework.
• Completion of California's Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect certification or ability to complete the required training course within 30 days of employment.

Physical Requirements:

• Any allergic condition that would be aggravated from exposure or through contact with animals or chemicals used to sanitize facilities, vehicles or equipment, may be a disqualification.
• Must stand, walk, bend and stoop frequently to perform duties. Have the ability to perform prolonged strenuous physical activity, including lifting and carrying objects weighing up to 50 pounds alone or up to 100 pounds with the help of fellow employees for short distances.

Working Conditions:

• Frequent interaction with children who may or may not be well-behaved and occasional contact with the public in what may be an emotionally charged environment.
• By nature of the industry, there may be occasional exposure to dead, injured, sick, unruly, vicious, and/or dangerous animals in addition to exposure to parasites and to infectious diseases.
• Must be available and willing to work such weekends, holidays, overtime, and attend mandatory training and meetings as the employer determines are necessary or desirable to meet its business needs.

Note: The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and levels of work performed by employees, but are not a complete list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Either employer or employee may terminate the employment relationship at any time with or without notice and with or without cause
Salary Description
Hiring Range: $21.00 - $25.00 per hour