Public Programs Manager Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance (DZCA) is a leader in animal care, wildlife conservation, and education. We are passionate about our commitment to excellence in support of our mission of Inspiring Communities to Save Wildlife for Future Generations. 

DZCA honors our animals, staff, and guests by conducting ourselves at the highest level of integrity through our Core Actions -- Inspire Awe: Safety, Care, Connect, and by embracing our Core Values of: Welcoming, Curious, United, Courageous, and Transformative in all that we do.

The Interpretation Programs Coordinator advances DZCA’s mission and goals by coordinating live staff- and volunteer-led interpretive experiences across campus. This role supports consistent, high-quality daily interpretive operations while also helping develop, prototype, test, implement, evaluate, maintain and evolve new and existing audience-centered experiences and programs that bring DZCA’s Care, Connect, and Conserve stories to life.

Our team is made up of passionate and diverse professionals dedicated to providing excellent care for our animals while creating meaningful experiences for our guests. If you're excited to contribute your skills in a collaborative and innovative environment, Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance is the place for you!

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Program Coordination and Team Operations

• Support consistent, high-quality daily interpretive operations while evaluating, maintaining, updating, facilitating, and evolving new and existing audience-centered guest interpretive experiences and programs delivered by staff and volunteers bringing DZCA’s Care, Connect, and Conserve stories to life.
• In partnership with the Interpretation Manager, assist in the developing, prototyping, testing, and implementing new interpretive concepts and formats that encourage varying levels of guest participation.
• Develop programs with consideration for both one-time activation and scalable, repeatable implementation
• Create and maintain consistent content standards, programmatic expectations, and accessible resources for staff and volunteers.
• Maintains physical supplies and resources for staff and volunteers working in interpretive public programs.
• Manage Daily Program staff scheduling along with Interpretation specialists and Interpretation Manager.
• Model outstanding customer service and engagement with guests, Denver Zoo staff, and volunteers.
• Incorporates improvements based on program feedback—including community research and evaluation, guest surveys, audience observations, guest participation, and input from staff and volunteers—to support ongoing and continuous program enhancement.
• Participate in and provide support for daily Interpretive and Engagement programs.
• Assists with departmental strategic planning.

Collaboration and Communication

• Collaborates with departmental partners to ensure the Interpretive, Engagement and Entertainment programs have a shared vision and strategic use of campus.
• Daily oversight of onsite programmatic operations for Interpretive Programs and Experiences involving staff and volunteers.
• Supports training for staff & volunteers in their program roles, including facilitation techniques that encourage participation, adapt to audience needs and support responsive guest engagement; solicits strategic programmatic feedback at the discretion of the Interpretation Manager & Engagement Manager.
• Collaborate with cross-departmental partners to plan dynamic interpretive programs across the zoo.
• Builds and maintains professional relationships with intradepartmental stakeholders.
• Serve as a point of coordination for interpretive program implementation across departments, in collaboration with Interpretive Manager.

Team Support and Leadership

• Day-to-day support and leadership for staff and volunteers, including leading morning meetings, check-ins and providing breaks.
• Model and advocate for a positive, collaborative team culture within the Engagement and Entertainment department.
• Provides day-to-day coordination, direction and feedback for Interpretation Programs Specialist(s), staff, and volunteers in partnership with the Interpretation Manager; may support supervisory responsibilities as assigned.
• Assist in the resource tracking and reporting of program budgets as requested.

Other Duties & Responsibilities

• Acts as a good steward of DZCA resources.
• Provides exceptional guest service, connecting with guests using ROADMAP and GIG strategies across programs and interactions.
• Demonstrates a commitment to DZCA’s Sustainability Policies by adhering to all environmental, safety, and health regulations, procedures, and goals.
• Demonstrates DZCA’s Core Behaviors—Passion, Respect, Innovation, Diversity, and Excellence—in interactions with staff, guests, volunteers, and vendors.
• Collaborates across departments, providing support, facilitation, and guidance to colleagues and other programming as needed.
• Participates in and supports departmental initiatives, including special events, temporary exhibits, Free Days, professional development, grant writing and reporting, and strategic planning.
• Represents the department on inter-institutional committees and projects as requested.
• Complies with all DZCA policies and performs additional duties as assigned by the Interpretation Manager to support departmental and organizational goals.
• The nature of this position requires safeguarding against the release of confidential and proprietary information of DZCA.

Technical / Professional Requirements & Qualifications

• Completion of a high school degree or equivalent required
• 4+ years' experience in environmental education, museum or informal science institution education and interpretation, and staff or volunteer training and development, or any equivalent combination of experience, lived experience, and/or special skills.
• Demonstrated knowledge and skill in presentation and interpretation required.
• Demonstrated experience developing and facilitating audience-centered programs/experiences.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:     

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including editing and grammar, with the ability to tell compelling stories and communicate science clearly, concisely, and imaginatively.
• Self-motivated and self-directed, with the ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment while working independently and as part of a team.
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with team members, consultants, staff, and external partners.
• Ability to read, write, and speak Spanish a plus.

Position Conditions

• Ability to pass a background check and pre-employment drug and alcohol screen
• Schedule Availability: Expectation to work one consistent weekend day per week as part of regular schedule
• Work Location: On campus

Compensation

Hourly rate is: $24.20 to $29.64

For Bilingual: A pay differential will be paid for positions requiring Spanish speaking fluency.

A Truly Wild Workplace with Competitive Benefits

Join our team and enjoy a wide variety of great benefits, including:

• Comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage
• 403(b) Retirement Account with employer match
• Generous paid time off: vacation, sick leave, personal days, and holidays
• A Family DZCA Membership with discounted tickets to special events
• Concession and retail discounts, plus free parking
• And so much more! 

Application Process and Timelines

Application Deadline: September 8, 2026. Review of applications will begin immediately.  DZCA reserves the right to close the position before this date. 

Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected status or any other characteristic protected by law.

www.denverzoo.org