Environmental Educator

Reporting to the Director of Environmental Education, the Environmental Educator position is a full-time, non-exempt position working Wednesday-Sunday from 8-6 (36 hours) from September-mid June and Monday-Friday from mid-June-early August,  although some early/evening hours and weekend days per month (outside of regularly scheduled special events) will be required. This position will be responsible for teaching a variety of natural history and farm-themed school and after school programs for groups, primarily aged preK-5th grade and will also aid in the teaching of our scout offerings, public programs, and nature birthday parties.

This position will be responsible for creating robust on-site and web-based educational materials focusing on the various aspects of the SM&NC that will enhance individual and self-guided group experiences during visits.  The Educator will serve as a liaison between environmental education and visitors services departments to provide information and training on self-guided visitor components.  This position will aid in the scheduling and coordination of summer self-guide visits and may aid in organizing seasonal special self-guided or staff-led components. This position will also lead our Full Day (9-3) Explorers camp for our 6-week camp season.

Specifically, the Environmental Educator (Full-Time) will: 

• Create robust, varied, and dynamic self-guided materials, such as Explorers backpacks, scavenger hunts, exhibition-related materials, and trail guides, that extend and enhance the self-guided visitor experience
• Provide information and training to Visitors Services and environmental education staff
• Teach educational programs for predominantly preK-5th grade students on a variety of natural history, astronomy, and farm-based topics, both onsite and as a part of SMNC in the Schools, including live animal programs
• Teach after school programs on natural history/farm/science topics, both onsite and as a part of SMNC in the Schools and keep curriculum records on these programs
• Teach scout and public programs, including but not limited to Vacation Break Out Days, Vacation Drop Off Days, Take a Hike Week, and Outdoor Adventurers programs
• Oversee Recycled Makerspace in conjunction with Visitors Services team
• Aid in scheduling and coordination of summer self-guided visits including managing mailing database
• Staff and support SM&NC special event weekends, such as Harvest Festival
• Work with Environmental Education department to develop and strengthen school, after school, scout and public programs that make use of SM&NC resources, including the farm, organic garden, forest and wetland habitats, and collections, and that tie to curriculum standards and goals
• Help to ensure that programs promote responsible environmental education and support SM&NC mission
• Aid in care and feeding of reptile, mammal, amphibian, and invertebrate teaching animals
• Provide interpretation and animal care in our Heckscher WILD! live animal exhibit

Qualifications & Essential Skills:

• Minimum of two years relevant, professional related experience.
• Minimum B.S. in biology, environmental science, education, or related field.
• Must possess a maturity to have professional, respectful demeanor with Board, major donors, and other key business contacts acting with discretion and a keen understanding of confidentiality.
• The position requires excellent communications skills, oral and written, as well as the ability to multitask and think creatively on program development and implementation.
• Able to lift 50 lbs., bend, stretch, stand for extended periods of time, climb stairs, twist, sit, walk, and/or run.
• Interest in variety of natural history, farm, and/or physical science topics
• Experience handling, caring for, and teaching with a variety of animals including reptiles, birds, and mammals or willingness to learn
• Excellent interactions with the public and use of exhibits and components as a teaching tool
• Excellent Internet & research skills. Must be well-organized with ability to perform your own administrative work

How to apply:

Please send cover letter, resume, and 3 references (e-mail preferred) to:

lmonachelli@stamfordmuseum.org

Lisa Monachelli
Director of Education
Stamford Museum & Nature Center
39 Scofieldtown Road
Stamford, CT 06903