Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Zoo Program Manager

🎯 Role Definition

The Zoo Program Manager is responsible for designing, implementing, and evaluating a broad portfolio of onsite and offsite programs that advance animal welfare, conservation goals, and public education. This role directs program staff and volunteers, manages program budgets and grants, coordinates with animal care and veterinary teams, develops curriculum and interpretive content, ensures compliance with AZA/USDA/state regulations, and measures program impact through data-driven reporting. The ideal candidate combines strong knowledge of wildlife/conservation science with proven program management, stakeholder engagement, and fundraising experience.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Education Coordinator / Interpretive Specialist
Program Coordinator / Outreach Coordinator
Senior Animal Care Technician

Advancement To:

Director of Education & Community Engagement
Director of Conservation Programs
Senior Program Manager / Chief Program Officer

Lateral Moves:

Operations Manager (Zoo Operations)
Volunteer & Community Engagement Manager
Visitor Experience Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Develop, implement, and continuously refine a strategic annual program plan that aligns with the zoo’s mission, AZA accreditation standards, and institutional conservation priorities while driving audience growth and engagement.
Lead the design and delivery of formal and informal education programs (school programs, camps, guided tours, keeper talks, outreach presentations) ensuring content is age-appropriate, accessible, curriculum-aligned, and scientifically accurate.
Oversee program budget planning, expense tracking, and fiscal reporting; prepare annual budgets, monitor variances, and work with finance to ensure efficient use of resources and compliance with donor restrictions.
Write, submit, and manage grants and sponsorship proposals to secure program funding; maintain stewardship and reporting to funders and foundation partners.
Supervise, mentor, and evaluate a multidisciplinary team of program staff (educators, interpreters, outreach coordinators) including recruiting, training, scheduling, and professional development planning.
Recruit, train, schedule, and retain a robust volunteer corps and seasonal staff for program delivery; create clear volunteer role descriptions, performance metrics, and recognition strategies.
Develop partnerships with schools, universities, conservation NGOs, community organizations, and government agencies to expand program reach, co-develop curriculum, and enable research collaborations.
Coordinate with animal care and veterinary teams to ensure programs support animal welfare, minimize stress, and adhere to animal training, enrichment, and handling protocols.
Ensure all programs meet legal, safety, and regulatory requirements (AZA, USDA, state wildlife permits, OSHA standards); maintain program incident reporting, permits, and risk assessments.
Create and manage program evaluation frameworks using quantitative and qualitative metrics (attendance, learning outcomes, retention, behavior change) and present findings to leadership and stakeholders.
Oversee content development for interpretive signage, digital learning materials, curriculum guides, and multimedia communications to amplify conservation messaging and visitor learning.
Manage logistics for off-site outreach, field trips, traveling exhibits, and community events—including transportation, materials, staffing, insurance, and contingency planning.
Coordinate animal ambassador interactions, ensuring training protocols, public safety measures, and educational objectives are consistently applied during demonstrations.
Lead marketing and promotion for programs in partnership with communications and development—draft program descriptions, collateral, social media copy, and assist in campaign planning to maximize visibility and attendance.
Track and maintain program participant databases and CRM records for registration, donor cultivation, post-program evaluation, and longitudinal impact studies.
Implement accessibility and inclusion strategies (pricing structure, scholarships, ADA accommodations, culturally-relevant programming) to broaden community access and equity in conservation education.
Negotiate contracts and manage relationships with vendors, contractors, and external educators; oversee procurement of teaching materials, AV equipment, and field supplies.
Develop and execute youth engagement initiatives and summer camp programming that deliver hands-on science learning, stewardship ethics, and career pathway awareness.
Create and manage internship, practicum, and volunteer training curricula that support workforce development and provide meaningful experiential learning opportunities in animal care, education, and conservation science.
Facilitate internal cross-departmental planning (animal care, veterinary, marketing, facilities) to coordinate exhibit-based programming, special events, and behind-the-scenes experiences.
Maintain and continuously improve program policies, SOPs, emergency response procedures, and training manuals to ensure consistent quality, safety, and compliance.
Serve as a subject matter expert at community meetings, conferences, and public forums representing the zoo’s education and conservation programs and advancing brand credibility.
Analyze program performance data and prepare regular reports for executive leadership, board committees, and external funders that demonstrate impact and inform strategic decisions.
Lead pilot projects and innovation initiatives (virtual programming, mobile learning, citizen science) to expand digital reach and adapt programming to evolving visitor needs and technologies.

Secondary Functions

Support institutional strategic planning by contributing program insights, community feedback, and evidence-based recommendations for new program investments.
Act as liaison for accreditation and inspection processes; prepare documentation, coordinate site visits, and implement corrective action plans as needed.
Support fundraising and development efforts by contributing program narratives, stewardship materials, and participating in donor cultivation events.
Provide cross-training to staff and volunteers on animal handling boundaries, guest interaction best practices, and interpretation techniques to ensure consistent visitor experiences.
Manage inventory of program supplies, educational animals’ equipment, and conservation materials; coordinate timely maintenance and procurement.
Participate in professional networks, continuing education, and relevant conferences to maintain best practices and bring innovations back to the organization.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Program design and curriculum development for formal and informal science education, including standards alignment and measurable learning outcomes.
Budget creation and financial stewardship including grant budgeting, expense forecasting, and fiscal reporting.
Grant writing and grant management: proposal development, funder reporting, and compliance with restricted funds.
Animal welfare knowledge: husbandry basics, enrichment planning, and species-specific behavior to inform safe educational interactions.
Regulatory compliance: familiarity with AZA accreditation standards, USDA regulations, state wildlife permits, and OSHA requirements relevant to exhibit programming.
Data collection and evaluation: survey design, learning assessment, KPI tracking, and experience with program evaluation tools (e.g., Excel, Google Sheets, basic statistical analysis).
CRM and registration systems (e.g., Salesforce Nonprofit, Blackbaud, Amilia, Campbrain) for participant management and donor stewardship.
Project management methodologies: experience using tools like Asana, Trello, or MS Project to manage timelines, deliverables, and cross-functional tasks.
Public speaking and presentation skills for large groups, school audiences, conferences, and media interviews.
Digital content and e-learning development: familiarity with LMS platforms, video scripting, and basic multimedia production.
Contract negotiation and vendor management, including contracts for transportation, catering, or outside educators.
Risk assessment and emergency planning: ability to develop SOPs and incident response plans for off-site and onsite programs.

Soft Skills

Strong leadership and team management: mentoring, performance feedback, and building a high-performing, collaborative team.
Excellent written communication: ability to craft compelling grant proposals, donor reports, curricula, and promotional copy.
Relationship-building and stakeholder management: cultivate partnerships with schools, NGOs, donors, and government entities.
Problem-solving and adaptability: think creatively to solve logistical or programmatic challenges under tight timelines.
Cultural competency and inclusivity mindset: design programs that are culturally relevant and accessible to diverse communities.
Customer service orientation: deliver exceptional visitor and participant experiences while balancing institutional priorities.
Time management and multi-tasking: prioritize competing deadlines across programming, budgeting, and reporting cycles.
Negotiation and persuasion: secure sponsorships, negotiate contracts, and advocate for program resources.
Attention to detail: maintain accurate records, ensure compliance, and produce high-quality educational materials.
Coaching and training: develop staff and volunteer skills through structured training, observation, and feedback.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's degree in Education, Conservation Biology, Zoology, Environmental Science, Nonprofit Management, Public Administration, or a related field.

Preferred Education:

Master’s degree in Education, Conservation Science, Environmental Education, or a related discipline preferred for senior roles.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Conservation Biology
Environmental Education
Zoology / Animal Science
Nonprofit Management
Curriculum & Instruction
Public Administration

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3–7 years of progressively responsible program management experience in a zoo, aquarium, wildlife sanctuary, environmental nonprofit, or related educational institution.

Preferred: 5+ years managing multi-faceted education and outreach programs with demonstrated success in budget management, grant acquisition, team leadership, and AZA or similar accreditation exposure.