Director of Education

The International Wolf Center's mission is to advance the survival of wolf populations around the world by teaching about wolves, their relationship to wildlands, and the human role in their future. The world famous education facility in Ely, Minnesota features daily presentations and field trips, an award winning museum exhibit and a pack of ambassador wolves living in their wooded territory. 

Position Overview:

The Director of Education (DoE) of the International Wolf Center is responsible for the educational services of the organization-locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. The DoE also supervises the Ely-based staff and oversees those operations and facilities and serves as a key member of the organization's administrative management team.

The DoE also serves on several board committees, acts as liaison to the community and the International Wolf Center's education partners, and is a leader in advancing and strengthening its education products and services. The Ely facility includes several exhibit areas plus resident wolves, a library, classrooms, offices and retail operations.

The Director of Education is responsible for carrying out all expectations the International Wolf Center has of an administrative manager, including but not limited to supervising staff, working with board and volunteers and being available during non-office hours for meetings and/or events.

Applies to all Employees:

• Represent the International Wolf Center in the most positive manner with prospective, former and current members, donors, visitors, vendors and the communities we serve.
• Interact effectively with a diverse group of staff, interns, volunteers and customers of our services.
• Learn and use operating practices of the International Wolf Center.
• Uphold the organization's mission.
• Adhere to organizational standards of objectivity and scientific accuracy in all educational activities.
• Handle confidential information with tact and discretion.

Responsibilities:

Education 40%:

• Lead and support the organization's diverse educational resources including programs, exhibits, information and Web site.
• Research, implement and evaluate new educational programs and materials using new technology methods including distance learning with Program Specialist
• Serve as a leader of the education team and coordinate with other staff in representing education interests in the quarterly magazine, Web site, events, etc.
• Present Ely educational programs with other education staff as planned or needed
• Participate as a member and chief liaison between staff and the Board's Education Committee. Work with the chair of the committee to set agendas for the meetings and provide status reports.

Supervision and Synergy 15%:

• Supervise Ely department heads including Program Specialist, Information Services Director, Wolf Curator, Retail Director, and Operations and Finance Manager
• Develop and support a synergy among all International Wolf Center departments and both offices
• Lead and support staff in growth, creative development and efficient operation of each of the departments and their collaboration within the Ely and the Minneapolis office.
• Develop and maintain job descriptions and performance objectives with at least annual performance evaluation

Operations 15%:

• Maintain communication between Ely staff and board committees through participation including Building and Grounds, Communications, Education and Strategic Planning and/or as assigned by the Executive Director
• Represent the education department and Ely facilities on the Leadership Team, a staff-led organizational reviewing, and planning team.
• Other responsibilities as assigned by the executive director.

Finance 15%:

• Work with executive director and staff to develop and execute a balanced budget
• Establish and execute security measures for cash, inventory and other organizational assets
• Establish and execute appropriate procedures for processing invoices and producing accurate financial statements by the business office
• Oversee the development and management of all Ely departmental budgets
• Develop Ely facility projected admission numbers for budget
• Support development and membership opportunities through the facility.
• Work with the Development and Membership Director to coordinate a summer Ely membership drive and support the Alpha weekend event each year

Ely Facility 10%:

• Oversee Operations and Finance Director to ensure a professional presentation, secure, safe, clean, cost-effective, energy efficient and customer sensitive operations of the Ely facilities and grounds.
• Maintain communications with our lessor, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, concerning major projects related to the building. The Operations and Finance Director maintains communication regarding maintenance.
• Lead building improvement projects as directed or delegate to Operations and Finance Director
• Participate in the Board's Building and Grounds committee with Ely Operations and Finance Manager. Work with the chair of the committee to set agendas for the meetings and provide status reports

Community 5%:

• Serve as a liaison to the Ely community including Vermilion Community College, Ely City Council and Chamber of Commerce, area school administrators, business and other area nonprofit organizations
• Serve as an education liaison to select Center partners in the region and state.

Qualifications:

• A Master's or higher degree or comparable experience in education or environmental education; five or more years of formal or non-formal teaching experience that includes some facet of environmental education
• Demonstrated experience and success using multiple forms of technology in education, including Web communication; ability to share one's vision for innovations in education and to use them in carrying out the Center's mission
• Demonstrated supervisory and people management skills; experience with employee performance review and assessment
• Demonstrated ability to develop educational programs and presentations with objectives, outcomes and assessments
• Experience with developing and managing a budget, financial reports and record-keeping
• Experience in grant writing and fundraising helpful

Abilities and Working Conditions:

This position is subject to a highly variable work schedule based on educational programming and other needs listed above. Leadership may require the ability to hike on moderately steep, uneven terrain. The employee may spend some days working in the Minneapolis, MN office and may have some opportunities for other work-related travel. Employee must be able to sit (60% time), stand, walk, lift/carry up to 30 lbs., operate a motor vehicle and communicate fluently in English.

FLSA: Full Time, exempt salaried position
Supervised by: Executive Director (ED)
Supervises: Operations and Finance Manager, Program Specialist, Information Services Director, Wolf Curator, Museum Retail Director; consultants and volunteers; coordinates with administrators and other department leaders.
Location: Ely, MN (northern Minnesota)

To Apply:

Please email cover letter, resume and a written essay of 250 words or less describing how you envision applying the International Wolf Center's mission to the job of Director of Education using current and new technological methods to Mary Ortiz. To be considered, you must include expected salary range. Only emails accepted. No calls, please.

Applications accepted until position filled.

Visit the International Wolf Center for more organizational information.