Education Coordinator – School and Summer Environmental Education Programs Details

Education Coordinator – School and Summer Environmental Education Programs

Mass Audubon - Lenox, MA

Employment Type : Full-Time

Location: Lenox, MA

Sanctuary: Pleasant Valley

About Mass Audubon:

Mass Audubon protects 40,000 acres of land throughout Massachusetts, saving birds and other wildlife, and making nature accessible to all. As Massachusetts’ largest nature conservation nonprofit, we welcome more than a half million visitors a year to our wildlife sanctuaries and nature centers. Today, Mass Audubon is a nationally recognized environmental education leader, offering thousands of camp, school, and adult programs. With more than 135,000 members and supporters, we advocate on Beacon Hill and beyond, and conduct conservation research to preserve the natural heritage of our beautiful state.

About this Position:

Mass Audubon is looking for a creative, passionate, energetic, and organized Environmental Educator. This Education Coordinator position works as part of a dynamic team of staff who support education, conservation, and advocacy efforts at our sanctuaries, regional schools, community venues, and other locations. The Education Coordinator spends the majority of their time developing and teaching introductory level programs to youth, families, and adults in accordance with Mass Audubon’s educational philosophy, goals, standards, and practices. They serve as a resource on natural history, environmental justice, and climate change issues for program participants, visitors, staff, and volunteers. The Education Coordinator assists in coordination, preparation, marketing, fundraising, and evaluation for educational programs and special events.

This Education Coordinator position is focused on teaching and coordinating K-12 environmental education programs for public schools in Pittsfield and other surrounding towns in Berkshire County. The program focus for this position includes in-school lessons (65-70%), summer and vacation camp operations (20-25%), and sanctuary field trips, canoe trips on the Housatonic River (10%). Most of the teaching occurs on weekdays with occasional weekend programs. During the summer months this position assists with camp program operations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement environmental education programs for K-12 schools, youth groups, and summer camps, on a wide range of nature and environmental topics.
• Plan and lead inquiry-based, environmental education units/lessons/activities with local schools, sanctuary field trips for schools/groups, after school programs for youth, and other audiences.
• Engage participants in hands-on, minds-on learning through activity stations and guided inquiry that develop science skills and ecology and conservation knowledge.
• Maintain educational supplies, curricula, materials, and resources.
• Maintain the safely of all participants and staff as a priority.
• Assume additional related duties and projects as needed.
• Provide training, mentoring, and support for interns and volunteer program assistants as needed.

Qualifications

Must Have’s:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree (or working towards) in life, earth, or environmental sciences,environmental education, nature interpretation, K-12 education, or equivalent.
• One or more years leading environmental education programs, or any equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• One or more years teaching or working with children or youth in an urban setting.
• Ability to exercise cultural competence and best practices in inclusion.

Nice to Have’s:

• Knowledge of local natural history, conservation, and environmental education.
• Familiarity with culturally responsive teaching or other equity-based pedagogy.
• Familiarity with the City of Pittsfield and/or the Pittsfield Public School system.
• One or more years delivering urban environmental education programming or equivalent.
• First Aid and CPR (child and adult) certification (training provided upon hire, if needed).

Compensation and Benefits

This is a two-year, term-limited, year-round, 32 hour/week, benefit-eligible, non-exempt position. Salary rate $20/hour; $33,280.00/year plus benefits.

Benefits and Perks:
Benefits eligible staff at Mass Audubon may elect to enroll in medical, dental, and vision plans. Mass Audubon also offers disability and life insurance plans, a retirement plan through MetLife, and Flexible Spending Account options. Mass Audubon employment also includes access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and the Reciprocity Agreement through the Consortium of Non-Profit Arts/Cultural/Environmental Organizations of New England. Mass Audubon employees also enjoy 12.5 paid holidays (in calendar year 2021 - holidays may shift annually due to where days fall within calendar).

Additional Comments

We kindly request that you do not call to inquire about the status of your application. Those candidates chosen for interviews will be contacted.

Mass Audubon embraces diversity and equal opportunity in a serious way. We are dedicated to forming a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. People of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

Mass Audubon requires all employees to be fully vaccinated for Covid-19. In addition, a successful completion of a CORI and SORI Background Check and a Motor Vehicle Record (if applicable) is required.

How to Apply

Please send 1) letter of interest; 2) resume; and 3) contact info for three references to:

Dale Abrams, Education Managerwestsanctuaries@massaudubon.org

Job# 3525

Equal Employment Opportunity StatementMass Audubon is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. Mass Audubon prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.