Evaluation and Impact Supervisor

The Evaluation and Impact Supervisor is responsible for leading the design, implementation, and management of a comprehensive research and evaluation framework that measures the effectiveness and impact of Learning and Conservation Engagement initiatives across Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens.

This position provides leadership in program evaluation, visitor studies, habitat and interpretive evaluation, social science research, and organizational impact measurement. Through data collection, analysis, and evidence-based recommendations, the supervisor supports strategic decision-making, continuous improvement, grant reporting, accreditation, and organizational learning.

The Supervisor also serves as the institutional coordinator for Miami University's Project Dragonfly graduate program, fostering partnerships between graduate students and Zoo staff to conduct applied research that advances conservation education, visitor engagement, and organizational priorities.

This position promotes a culture of evidence-based decision-making and helps ensure that learning experiences connect communities with wildlife and wild places while inspiring meaningful conservation action.

What you will do

• Lead the development and management of a comprehensive evaluation framework for Learning and Conservation Engagement programs.
• Design and conduct program evaluations, visitor studies, habitat and interpretive assessments, and social science research projects.
• Analyze data and provide evidence-based recommendations to inform strategic planning and program improvement.
• Support grant reporting and accreditation processes through rigorous impact measurement and documentation.
• Coordinate with Miami University’s Project Dragonfly graduate program to facilitate applied research partnerships.
• Collaborate with internal teams to integrate evaluation findings into organizational learning and decision-making.
• Champion a culture of evidence-based practice across the organization.
• Communicate evaluation results effectively to diverse stakeholders, including staff, leadership, partners, and funders.

Qualifications and Skills

• Strong skills in research design, data collection, statistical analysis, and interpretation.
• Ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable insights and recommendations.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Familiarity with grant reporting and accreditation standards.
• Passion for conservation education and connecting communities with wildlife and wild places.

Required Education and Experience

• Master's degree in Evaluation, Museum Studies, Social Sciences, Environmental Education, Psychology, Conservation, Public Administration, Research Methods, or related field.
• 3-5 years of experience in program evaluation, visitor research, educational assessment, social science research, or related work.
• Experience designing and implementing qualitative and quantitative research methodologies.
• Demonstrated experience analyzing data and communicating findings to diverse audiences.
• 2 years of experience in team management
• 2 years of experience teaching
• Demonstrated ability to translate research findings into practical recommendations that improve programs, guest experiences and organizational performance

Desired Education and Experience

• Ph.D in Evaluation, Museum Studies, Environmental Science, Conservation Psychology, Social Science Research, Data Analytics, or a related field.
• 6+ years of progressively responsible experience in program evaluation, visitor studies, social science research, or organizational assessment.
• Experience working in a zoo, aquarium, botanical garden, museum, science center, park, or other informal learning environment.
• Experience developing and implementing comprehensive evaluation frameworks, logic models, and outcome measurement systems.
• Experience conducting visitor studies, audience research, and behavioral observation using qualitative and quantitative methodologies.
• Experience coordinating graduate-level research, university partnerships, or applied research projects.
• Experience developing dashboards, data visualizations, and performance metrics using tools such as Power BI, Tableau, Excel, SPSS, R, or similar platforms.
• Knowledge of conservation psychology, behavior change theory, informal science learning, and visitor engagement research.
• Experience supporting grant evaluation, accreditation, strategic planning, or organizational reporting.
• Experience coordinating academic partnerships or managing applied research projects is a plus.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Availability to accommodate a flexible schedule, including extended hours, holidays, and weekends.

WORK CONDITIONS

• Exposure to various weather conditions, including extreme heat, sunlight, cold, rain, snow, and wind.
• Exposure to wildlife and potential allergens (dust, animal dander, pollen, etc.), bloodborne pathogens, zoonotic diseases and injuries from animals.
• May require being on call for emergencies.
• Must be available to fulfill disaster-response duties as required.

TRAVEL EXPECTATIONS

• May require up to 25% of local or international travel.

About Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens (JZBG):

• We are also proud to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment regardless of a person's actual or perceived race, color, ancestry, national origin, place of birth, sex, age, religion, creed, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, weight, or height.
• We are a Drug-Free workplace and participate in E-verify.
• JZBG is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities.