What are the responsibilities and job description for the Environmental Education Director position at Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center?
Are You Passionate About Connecting People with Nature?
At Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center, we believe that some of the best learning happens outside—where curiosity can run wild, hands get a little dirty, and every season brings new lessons.
Now, we’re searching for an Environmental Education Director to lead and expand our programs—someone who can innovate, inspire, and engage people of all ages in hands-on, outdoor learning experiences. This is an opportunity to help shape our environmental education initiatives, bringing fresh ideas to a well-loved and growing program. If you enjoy exploring new things, building partnerships, and finding creative ways to connect people with nature, this could be the perfect fit for you!
We don’t expect you to have all the answers—we want someone who’s excited to ask big questions, explore fresh ideas, and work with our team to evolve what environmental education looks like for our community.
Environmental Education Director
Full-Time, 40 hours/week
Salary Range: $50,336 – $58,240 annually, based on experience and qualifications.
Great benefits provided.
About Us
At Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center, our mission is simple but powerful:
Promote awareness of the importance of our natural environment through education and outdoor recreation.
Our vision is a world where people respect the environment and understand its importance to their well-being and our shared future.
Every day at Prairie Woods, our team gets to turn 560 acres of prairies, woodlands, and wetlands into a living classroom. —we also have indoor and outdoor learning spaces, classrooms, and gathering areas designed to support engaging, immersive education in all seasons. We blend hands-on exploration, outdoor recreation, and community-building activities to help people of all ages discover the wonder of the natural world.
Our programs cover everything from prairies to ponds, canoeing to cross-country skiing, survival skills to sustainability—and we’re always looking for new ways to inspire learning.
What You’ll Do (In a Nutshell):
- Reimagine & lead our environmental education programs—build on what works, and find fresh ways to connect people with nature.
- Collaborate with an amazing team! You’ll work closely with our Executive Director and in partnership with our Challenge Course, Youth Eco Solutions, and Nature Preschool initiatives.
- Have a built-in support system. You’ll be part of a team-oriented organization, governed by a Board of Directors that is deeply invested in our success. Plus, our Facilities & Grounds Team helps make sure everything runs smoothly on-site.
- Manage and inspire a passionate group of program facilitators and volunteers.
- Build partnerships with schools, nonprofits, and community organizations to expand the reach of our programs.
- Experiment, evaluate, and improve. Try new approaches, gather feedback, and refine our programs to make them even more engaging and impactful.
- Help secure funding through grants and program development—so we can keep growing and innovating.
- Engage people of all ages in outdoor learning experiences, from nature hikes to mammal studies, canoeing to winter ecology!
Who We’re Looking For:
- A passionate outdoor educator who believes in the power of environmental learning to inspire curiosity, stewardship, and lifelong connections with nature.
- A collaborative leader and skilled communicator who thrives on working with staff teams, program contacts, community partners, and volunteers—someone who can build relationships, coordinate programs, and engage a crowd.
- A creative problem-solver and hands-on innovator who’s comfortable trying new things, and is eager to adapt, grow, and bring programs to life.
Qualifications:
Required:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Environmental Education, Natural Sciences, Education, or a related field.
- 5 years of experience in environmental education, outdoor learning, or program leadership.
- Experience with program development, staff supervision, and community engagement.
Preferred:
- Experience with grant writing, fundraising, and budget management.
- Familiarity with environmental education standards and certifications.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center is committed to building an inclusive and diverse environment for employees and visitors.
Application Deadline: March 3, 2025.
If you’re excited about this opportunity, we’d love to hear from you! Send your resume and a cover letter sharing why this role excites you to jennifer.s@prairiewoodselc.org
Attn: Executive Director
Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center
12718 10th Street NE
Spicer, MN 56288
For more information call (320) 354-5894
Final Thoughts. This role is all about taking something great and making it even better. It’s about exploring new possibilities, and inspiring others to see the magic of the natural world.
If you’re someone who loves to lead, learn, and create, this could be the start of something incredible. We can’t wait to meet you!
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $50,336.00 - $58,240.00 per year
Benefits:
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
Schedule:
- Monday to Friday
Experience:
- environmental education or program leadership: 5 years (Preferred)
- supervision of staff, volunteers, or educators: 1 year (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
Salary : $50,336 - $58,240