Interpretive Content Manager

The Houston Zoo is hiring!  Our Purpose: The Houston Zoo connects communities with animals, inspiring action to save wildlife. We take pride in supporting efforts that save wildlife from extinction by working to implement comprehensive conservation strategies and developing partnerships to increase knowledge and support in communities. The Houston Zoo focuses on saving wildlife through reducing threats that face species in the wild. This includes action to reduce plastic pollution and paper use, promote sustainable seafood and sustainable palm oil, recycle electronics, and address pollinator decline. We also protect the counterparts of zoo animals, like lions, sharks, cranes and toads in the wild through partnerships with other global wildlife-saving organizations. Every member of our staff makes this possible by ensuring extraordinary animal care and guaranteeing the zoo’s operations contribute to protecting animals in the wild. Our staff strengthens the zoo, making it possible to protect 20% of the lion population in Africa, save sea turtles through the elimination of plastic bottle sales, among other wildlife successes. By joining the Houston Zoo team, you save animals in the wild!

The ideal candidate, for the Interpretive Content Manager position, will have experience programming, producing and writing interpretive content while working collaboratively with stakeholders within the Zoo, our Zoo partners and outside organizations.  This position will help us fulfill our goal of sharing our saving wildlife messages effectively and creatively so our Zoo guests change their behaviors to reduce threats to animals in the wild. This candidate will need to have demonstrated a high level of multi-tasking, including solid organizational abilities to keep track of multiple large and small projects simultaneously.

To apply visit www.houstonzoo.org/careers   to download an application and complete the below tasks:

1. Share three examples of your previous public interpretative signage/content work. Describe the elements on the sign you are proud of and why. Please share in PDF format.
2. Share one example of a sign/content you created that in hindsight you would have done differently. Please explain.
3. Create interpretative content for a pangolin sign at the Houston Zoo even though the Zoo does not have this animal in our collection. We are looking at the content not the design or visual layout of the sign.
4. E-mail resume, tasks listed above, and completed application to ...

Education and Experience

• 5 years paid experience in the field of producing Interpretive graphics and writing interpretive content for public audiences.
• Ability to read, write and speak Spanish desired.
• Certifications from National Association of Interpreters (Certified Interpretive Planner) - desired

Job Duties

• Ability to develop the story of an exhibit space include signage content and concepts for interactive displays in collaboration with exhibit and graphic teams.
• Create and maintains the annual interpretive graphics budget.
• Create an interpretive graphics and exhibits plan including a phased approach of updating current signage.
• Inclusively manage the content research, copy writing, photo research and acquisition for all interpretive exhibit materials. Write and coordinate editing of text for exhibits and programs to ensure that written and spoken words communicate ideas clearly, concisely and personally to our guests.
• Train staff and volunteers on the exhibit themes and messages for the purpose of aligning their programs and interactions to coincide with the theme and main messages.
• Align all content with key strategies in the Zoo-wide strategic plan.
• Have in-depth knowledge of ADA requirements for signage as well as animal welfare consideration with signage installation
• Work in collaboration with Creative Director and facilities management to define the process and create consistency of interpretive signage placement and installation.
• Manage exhibit evaluation studies including proposal development and seeking funding for studies and working with outside evaluation firms to develop and conduct studies of exhibit and interpretive program effectiveness.
• Create, manage and inspire the development of interpretive design strategies for projects based on content, creative, and exhibit design goals.
• Create a detailed process the Zoo can use to establishing  a narrative, interpretive sign origin, and approval of content for Zoo-wide consistency and brand.
• Collaboration with all department stakeholders to create a Zoo-wide interpretive message plan
• Develop and assist with Zoo staff training on our interpretive messages
• Use industry data to determine the Zoo’s direction on interpretive messaging
• Work with animal care staff to create keeper chat to align with interpretive themes
• Create messaging that in inclusive and considerate of our 2.5 million visitors.
• Work closely with the entire team to define and develop the future identity and visual communication strategy
• Evaluate the most effective ways to share the Zoo’s messages with our guests including signage, keeper chats, and exhibit themes.
• Hold focus groups with various stakeholders
• Contributes to saving animals in the wild through:  reduction of waste, water and energy use and inspiring guests and staff to take wildlife protecting actions

ABOUT HOUSTON ZOO
The Houston Zoo is made up of many moving parts with over 6,000 permanent residents (our animals) for whom we provide housing, meals, medical care and, yes, even education! There are over 2 million guests each year who come to experience our incredible variety of animals and ecosystems (habitats?), as well as attend special private and public events and entertainment. Our dedicated staff works around the clock to ensure that the Zoo is always running smoothly for the safety and well-being of our residents and guests. We strive to ensure the protection of all the counterparts of the animals we have at the Zoo and in the wild.

Join the Houston Zoo and become a part of an organization that is focused on the preservation of wildlife and their habitats by combining conservation with education and promotion of sustainable livelihoods in the local communities.  Houston Zoo is an Equal Opportunity Employer