Exhibit Content Producer

Love animals? Want to make a positive impact on the planet? Come join Woodland Park Zoo as an Exhibit Content Producer. We have one, full time, benefited position open.

This position creates content for naturalistic and immersive exhibits that deeply engage our visitors, inspire awe, encourage learning and discovery, and motivate visitor actions on behalf of wildlife conservation. This position collaborates with multiple internal partners and external vendors to research and develop exhibit communications, visitor engagements, and to guide and steward the look and feel of signs, props, and interactive elements.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following

• Participate in concept and content development of exhibit and public engagement areas including developing exhibit storylines, organizing themes/topics, and coordinating with exhibit and graphic designers.
• Oversee the development and implementation of exhibit content and materials for static and digital signage, visitor engagements, and other interpretive materials including writing, editing, revising, fact- checking, and proof reading.
• Research, conduct literature reviews, and explain science information including natural history, conservation, and behavior change.
• Utilize zoo wide best practices for engaging audiences, including creating empathy for wildlife, motivating conservation action, and decolonizing stories and perspectives.
• Collaborate, coordinate, and communicate progress of work with cross-departmental committees to develop concepts and content for delivery of guest engagements through text, visual media, interactive elements, and audio.
• Act as an effective liaison with subject matter experts in order to highlight the zoo’s expertise in animal welfare, conservation, and research in exhibitions; facilitate content review by in-house and external parties and incorporate feedback.
• Advocate for engaging, immersive, and audience-centric exhibit experiences that make conservation inspiring and empowering for people of all ages and backgrounds.
• Participate in discussions and research with the Audience Research team to design and conduct evaluations at specified points in the exhibit development process to ensure that projects achieve goals and objectives.
• Cultivate active partnerships with technology consultants, researchers, and other innovative engagement thinkers.
• Write and edit labels, visitor handouts, internal primers, and other explanatory materials including editing, revising, fact-checking, and proofreading.
• Select and help secure specimens, artifacts, images, video, and other educational resources.
• Participate in professional development opportunities in order to stay informed of trends in the museum and zoo/aquarium field; learn from and share knowledge with colleagues while building relevant partnerships. Stay informed of new trends and research in behavior change, guest engagement, universal design and inclusion practices, and technology applications.
• Assist in maintaining the zoo’s guest experience and long-range physical development plans.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in life sciences, environmental studies, museum studies, or related field from an accredited college or university and a three (3) or more years of experience in exhibit/content development for informal science or similar setting; and/or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Thorough understanding of exhibit development process and design principles.
• Valid Washington State driver’s license.
• Experience and demonstrated ability to use relevant creative technologies including Adobe Photoshop, Bridge, Lightroom, Premiere (or Final Cut Pro), and other professional editing software.
• Ability to use Microsoft Office products, particularly Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including editing, and grammar; effective storytelling and science communication; and ability to write clearly, concisely, and imaginatively for diverse public audiences.
• Knowledge of natural history and demonstrated experience in natural science writing.
• Ability to listen patiently and attentively, ability to express self clearly and effectively, and ability to adapt communication based on audience and purpose with inclusivity.
• Ability to develop thematic structure for exhibits and use a variety of methods and techniques to communicate concepts to general audience(s).
• Ability to create exhibit content that is intellectually and emotionally engaging, producing exhibits with a “fun” or “wow” factor that will drive zoo attendance.
• Knowledge of exhibit evaluation methods in informal education settings, conservation issues, and proper presentation of artifacts.
• Working knowledge of exhibit planning concepts, principles and philosophies, and emerging research in conservation psychology.
• Ability to employ best practices associated with the position, with an approach to accuracy, while displaying an on-going commitment to learning and self-improvement.
• Ability to work independently as well as within diverse teams and environments while treating everyone with respect.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects with creative problem solving skills, and meet deadlines in a professional manner.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, which may include weekends, evenings, and holidays.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• This position may be required to lift up to 35 pounds.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to perform essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to a typical office environment and/or outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Pay: $28.37/hour,plus benefits

Employment Requirements:

Applicants must be at least 18 years old. A criminal background check will be required of the selected applicant.

COVID-19 Vaccination

• As of November 24, 2021, employees working on or accessing zoo grounds are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If hired, you will be required to submit proof of vaccination by your first day of employment.
• People are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a two-dose series or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine.
• Employees may make requests for a reasonable accommodation based on a medical disability or for sincerely held religious beliefs. Philosophical, political, scientific, or sociological objections to vaccination will not be considered for an exemption or accommodation.

Application Directions: Applications are accepted online through our Jobs Page at zoo.org/jobs; no other forms of application will be accepted. Cover letter and resume are required.

In addition the resume and cover letter:

• Please include one PDF example of signage you have created content for. This may be either a photo with the sign text legible or a photo of the sign with the text written out separately below. Please also note in the PDF what group or reading level the sign is meant to target.
• If you do not have an example of signage, please include a writing sample of a handout or other explanatory document in pdf form and the group or reading level it is meant to target.

Woodland Park Zoo is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in application and employment for any reason, including race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, age, disability or medical status including genetic information, and/or veteran’s status.

Woodland Park Zoo is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in all of its services. If you need accommodation in the application or interview process, please contact our recruiting team at careers@zoo.org.