Education Coordinator

Develops and presents educational programming, events, tours and advocates for assigned subject area including conservation and nature, horticulture, historical farming and life, sustainability, food and environment, community gardening and other programming subject areas. Supervises Education Specialists and other support staff. Advocates for assigned areas in the community.
 

Duties/Responsibilities

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must perform essential duties to expected performance standards. Reasonable accommodations are made as required for persons with disabilities as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• Develops the education strategy, programming plan and cost recovery plan for the assigned subject area, including classes, workshops, demonstrations, youth and adult tours and special events.
• Develops annual activity schedule.
• Prepares and presents education programming for assigned subject area.  Ensures facility bookings, program description input, qualified and adequate program staffing, lesson plans, programming presentations, equipment and materials staging, and other preparatory duties for education programs.
• Evaluates and manages risk for programming, services, contractors, volunteers, staff and makes modifications as needed
• Advocates for the assigned subject area in the community. Develops and conducts outreach opportunities. Builds partnerships and participates in community level efforts to build community awareness, support, action, and participation. Represents MetroParks on various volunteer committees and councils to generate and maintain interest and support in area of focus. Makes presentations in the community. Maintains relationships in the community with agencies, organizations, retailers, clubs, and other entities concerned with the assigned subject area
• Develops the cost of service and ensures attainment of cost recovery goals for the assigned subject area. Monitors expenditures to ensure compliance with approved budget.  Explores methods for alternative funding including grant requests, partnerships, sponsorships and identification of other funding sources.
• Recruits, coordinates, and evaluates program providers, including staff, volunteers, partners, and contractors. Develops and monitors contracts with program providers. Ensures all staff, volunteers, partners, and contractors who deliver programming are adequately trained, certified, and qualified. Provides training and ensures programs comply with quality standards.
• Conducts program evaluations and determines changes to program content and delivery as needed to meet program performance indicators and department and agency strategy. Coordinates topic and program with other Outdoor Connections staff.
• Works with the appropriate staff in the development of outdoor education facilities and access. Works with Park Services staff to ensure the safety, maintenance and quality of outdoor education facilities in assigned area of responsibility
• Supports marketing and promotional efforts for programming, special events and facilities including signage, web updates, event program content review for advertising, media appearances, populate social media posts, create e-mail newsletters, and facilitate distribution of print materials.
• Coordinates with the Marketing Department to produce articles for newsletters, brochures, displays, audio-visuals and other materials designed to inform and educate the public.
• Coordinates topic and program with other staff to ensure a comprehensive and collaborative set of program offerings to the public. 
• Serves as a liaison to volunteer services, visitor services, and conservation staff about program content and program needs. Identifies any collaborative efforts from other departments as needed.
• Makes recommendations for development of annual budget. Monitors expenditures spent for programming to ensure compliance with approved budget and achieves cost recovery targets. Explores methods of cost recovery and funding including, grant requests and identification of other funding sources.
• Conducts research to remain current on practices, trends and skills to develop programming and educational opportunities for the public.
• Maintains various records and reports including monthly reports, cost of service reports, work plans, and other records and reports as assigned.
• Maintains confidentiality of confidential or sensitive records and information. 
• Works assigned schedule, exhibits regular and punctual attendance and works outside of normal schedule as required. 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Directly supervises assigned staff and volunteer and contractual instructors. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the MetroParks' policies and applicable laws, and delegated authority. Responsibilities include participating in, and making recommendations pertaining to the selection, discipline of employees, and other personnel decisions. Plans and delegates work assignments, trains employees, provides guidance resolves work issues, and ensures work complies with policy and performance standards.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Provides service to the public, responding to questions, offering assistance, and providing information.
• Collaborates within and across departmental boundaries, to provide information and service to others in the organization to contribute to the effective operation of the agency and all staff.
• Makes presentations to the public, civic groups, and other organizations to provide information about MetroParks, its facilities and its services.
• Implements teacher workshops and professional workshops, and other programming requiring advanced knowledge and skill.
• Maintains standards of care and permits for live animals used for programming.
• Participates in MetroParks-wide programming as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. A combination of appropriate education, training, course work and experience may qualify an applicant to demonstrate required knowledge, skills, and abilities.  An example of an acceptable qualification is:
• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Education, Natural History, Interpretation, or closely related area and one - two years relevant programming experience, including supervision of others. Willingness and ability to work an irregular schedule, including evenings and weekends.
   

Additional Information

WORK ENVIRONMENT 
The work environment is that of a typical office setting but also includes periods of outside work in a variety of weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

EQUIPMENT OPERATED
Computer; printer; calculator; copier; fax machine; telephone; postage machine and other standard office equipment.  Audio-visual equipment, camera, tools and materials relevant to program topics. Vehicles, trailers, hand tools, trail building tools, power tools, gardening equipment, chain saws, tractors and other machinery as required
 

How to apply:

Go to https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/fiveriversmetroparks/jobs/3514574/education-coordinator?pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs