Environmental Educator – Weekend Lead

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

The Environmental Educator Weekend Lead will share the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center’s mission through environmental education to the Center’s weekend visitors.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Lead birthday parties and assist with scout programs as assigned

• Serve as Interpretative Naturalist for weekend visitors at the Center and as needed, at off-site locations

• Provide drop-in programs and activities that share information on the natural history of the Center, working side by side with the volunteer Nature Ambassadors

• Assist as assigned with weekend birthday parties and scout programs

• Assist with Community Outreach programs as assigned

• Handle and teach with live animals including snakes, turtles, and invertebrates

• Encourage visitors to be good environmental stewards

• Generate enthusiasm for the natural world and its aesthetic values

• Responsible for the health, safety and welfare of all people in the group. This includes understanding and following safety rules and guidelines, carrying and using first aid kits and two-way radios

• Accompany visitors outdoors throughout the seasons and in all types of weather and terrain

• Ability to participate in professional development opportunities including state and regional conferences and the Wisconsin Master Naturalist program

• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Possess or working towards (within six months) a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in environmental studies, education, natural science, outdoor recreation, or related field

• Knowledge and understanding of environmental education and the ability to implement and effectively share that knowledge

• Experience leading outdoor environmental education programs

• Birding knowledge and experience is extremely helpful

• Must have the creativity, flexibility and understanding necessary for working with constituents and staff members

• Must possess a flexible approach to curriculum development and teaching style to meet the changing needs and interests of the visitors

• Ability to quickly respond to unsafe conditions which may put people at risk

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Ability to perform tasks requiring physical exertion, outdoors, in all weather conditions and on occasionally difficult terrain

• Must be able to lift 20-50 pounds occasionally

• Comfort teaching and interacting with a wide range of people from ages 3 to adult

HOURS

Part-time, year-round, 12 – 14 hours per/weekend. Generally, 9:00am-4:00pm

TYPICAL DAY

A typical weekend day shift may include a morning birthday party for a six-year-old (themes are Whimsical Woodlands, Forest Fairies, Reptile Roundup or Creepy Crawlies) followed by an afternoon assisting with a scout program or hike. Conversely, it may be leading an early morning adult bird hike to Lake Michigan followed by an afternoon birthday party, hosting a summer or winter concert or conducting an educational occasional outreach event. Group sizes in all cases are generally limited to 15 attendees.

TO APPLY Send cover letter and resume to Tom Finley at tfinley@schlitzaudubon.org with Environmental Educator-Weekend Lead in the email subject line.