Summer Environmental Educator

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation is looking for enthusiastic, friendly individuals who are passionate about sharing their love of all things outdoors with people of all ages this summer at Pennypack Environmental Center.

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation's environmental centers are situated in expansive, lush natural spaces that provide idyllic locations for nature exploration, and was originally steward by the Lenape people. Fairmount Park has than 1,600 acres of woodland, meadow, and stream-side habitat.

Summer educators work alongside year-round education staff to facilitate immersive environmental programs for children and adults on streams, forest ecology, watersheds, native wildlife and plants. This position provides an invaluable opportunity to practice hands-on outdoor teaching techniques and learn more about the inner workings of an environmental center.

The Summer Educator/RSI position requires an energetic, self-motivated and organized person who can work independently as well as collaboratively with the rest of the center’s team. Summer educators report directly to the Environmental Education Program Specialist but is supervised and supported by the entire full-time team. This position will have an irregular schedule that includes early mornings, evening and weekend work, and mandatory work during the full weeks of summer camp.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Assume responsibility of educator and counselor at summer nature camp (ages 6-12) and Teen Adventure Camp (14-17) leading and structuring activities throughout the day.
• Assist and lead environmental education programming in the park for visiting recreation centers and school field trips.
• Assist and lead environmental education programming for the public.
• Assist staff with administrative functions such as program scheduling, office management, website maintenance, social media updates, exhibit maintenance, and other day-to-day operations.
• Create and sustain self-guided projects to expand upon or support the environmental center in unstructured time.
• Develop informational material about relevant seasonal educational topics at the center, such as monarch migration, medicinal plants, or invasive earthworms.
• Duties and responsibilities may vary slightly by center location.
• Additional duties may be added as needed by team.

Pay is $14.70/hour based on last year's rate. A new rate will be announced soon.

35 hours per week for 3 months.

Skills & Requirements

• Strong work ethic; able to prioritize and accomplish necessary tasks without supervision;
• Independent and self sufficient;
• Proclivity for self management; ability to figure out on one’s own what needs to be done;
• Experience working with children and/or teenagers; energy, patience, and excitement around working with youth;
• Confidence in problem solving abilities;
• Effective communication skills;
• Developed team-work skills;
• Creativity in lesson planning, creating fun & educational activities for kids;
• Improvisational skills as new challenges or questions arise during programming;

Requirements

• Resident of the City of Philadelphia;
• At least two years of study at an accredited college or university;
• Course work or knowledge in biology, education, forestry, or similar environmental field;
• Physical ability to hike, lift, and climb stairs and work outside in adverse conditions;
• Preferred experience teaching kids and/or teenagers;
• Criminal background check, FBI Clearance and Child Abuse clearances will be required.
• Covid-19 Vaccination.

Materials required in your application for this position:

• 1 or 2 page resume in PDF form or hard copy. The file name should include your first name, your last name, and the word “resume” (e.g. Eleanor Houston Resume)
• Applications will be considered incomplete if they do not include a resume, in the lengths and title formats specified. You will be notified by email when your application is received.

TO APPLY, send resume and cover letter directly to the center that you are interested in working:

Stephanie Robinson

Pennypack Environmental Center

8600A Verree Road

Philadelphia, PA 19115

215-685-0470

PEC@phila.gov

This position will have an irregular schedule that includes early mornings, evening and weekend work, and mandatory work during the full weeks of summer camp.

This is a great opportunity to get more experience teaching outdoors, leading groups, working with youth and adults, and/or beginning a career with the City of Philadelphia.