What are the responsibilities and job description for the Environmental, Experiential, and Out-of-School Learning Coordinator (1.0 FTE, FY) - District Wide position at Portland Public Schools?
The Environmental, Experiential and Out-of-School Learning Coordinator (EEOC) partners with schools and district departments to lead equitable district-wide integrated fieldwork for grades K-5 as well as out-of-school learning during the summer months for grades K-5. Our elementary field work is one of our proudest innovations, and integrates with the first-in-the-state K-5 comprehensive Wabanaki Studies curriculum as well as Life Science, and fosters cultural humility and Environmental Literacy for grades K-5. Our out-of-school summer experiences meet the needs of our students farthest from opportunity. Some of these programs are well-established (Extended School Year for Students with Disabilities, for example), and some are new and innovative (such as online math tutoring). They all support students needing additional support and time and therefore are critical to meet our district’s achievement goals.
This is an ideal position for an educator or administrator with a deep understanding of the importance of experiential, environmental, and out-of-school opportunities for students, and a passion for equity. The EEOC must be a systems thinker who is able to run experiences for large groups of students both in person, as well as on paper. Skills they will need to bring to this position are leadership, logistics, risk management, cultural competence, patience with a large system, relationship building, project management, managing others, and budget management.
The EEOC should have skills in outdoor education, environmental literacy, project management, and educational leadership. The EEOC must be a highly effective collaborator who can build relationships with staff across the district, with partner organizations, and with Wabanaki community members. The ideal candidate will have cultural humility, experience collaborating with Indigenous people, a strong relationship with the earth, and experience in facilitating this connection for others.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
This is an ideal position for an educator or administrator with a deep understanding of the importance of experiential, environmental, and out-of-school opportunities for students, and a passion for equity. The EEOC must be a systems thinker who is able to run experiences for large groups of students both in person, as well as on paper. Skills they will need to bring to this position are leadership, logistics, risk management, cultural competence, patience with a large system, relationship building, project management, managing others, and budget management.
The EEOC should have skills in outdoor education, environmental literacy, project management, and educational leadership. The EEOC must be a highly effective collaborator who can build relationships with staff across the district, with partner organizations, and with Wabanaki community members. The ideal candidate will have cultural humility, experience collaborating with Indigenous people, a strong relationship with the earth, and experience in facilitating this connection for others.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
- Strong equity orientation and an openness to personal reflection on deepening awareness of personal bias and being culturally responsive. Demonstrate cultural humility and understanding of the role of indigenous world views in place-based education. Demonstrated conviction around having high expectations for all students. Preference for someone with background knowledge in Indigenous Studies and/or experience working with Indigenous communities.
- Project management skills. Project management skills- ability to organize project timelines, logistical and strategic details and coordinate others. Highly organized - someone who can juggle lots of balls and move between the "forest and the trees" easily.
- Great relationship builder. Demonstrated ability to build trust with teachers, administrators, Wabanaki collaborators, and community partners.
- Strong systems thinker. Ability to build and maintain operational systems.
- Strong group management skills of both children and adults. Significant experience in risk management/hazard assessment.
- Background in group dynamics, awareness of how groups function together.
- Someone who has a “go-getter” attitude about work and comfortable working in a flexible environment where work is not already defined.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills; can tailor information to audience.
- Someone who can collaborate well with others and follow through with responsibilities.
- Experience working with after school, enrichment, alternative education and other extended school environments.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree, preferably in education, outdoor learning or recreation or a related field
- Minimum: 3 years of teaching or relevant experience, 5 years or more preferred.
- Coursework or field experience in risk management and hazard assessment in outdoor settings.
- Minimum: 3 years experience in outdoor education (experiential education, place based learning, outdoor learning, and project based curriculum)
- Field experience leading large groups.
- Maine State fingerprint (CHRC) authorization. Website: http://www.maine.gov/doe/cert/fingerprinting/index.html
