Environmental Educator (8-month Full Time)

The Organization

Tenafly Nature Center is an independent non-profit member-supported nonprofit organization whose mission is to steward a nearly 400 wooded acre nature preserve for the purposes of conservation, education, recreation, and community engagement. Located in Tenafly, NJ, five miles north of the George Washington Bridge the property contains a deciduous forest with over seven miles of trails, wetlands, and a 3-acre pond. TNC is the largest privately-run nature center in Bergen County. TNC Educators are responsible for teaching our increasing demand of programs both on and off site throughout the year. Curriculum is hands-on and geared toward helping children and adults to develop awareness, appreciation and stewardship for the natural world.

The Position

Reports to, and work closely with, the Education Program Manager and Education Management Team with all aspects of the education department. They are responsible for implementing and helping to develop a dynamic, high quality environmental education curriculum for our increasing demand of on and off-site, year round programs, for a variety of groups and age levels. Group programs are taught to schools, scouts, youth groups, adult groups, camps, and birthday parties. Public activities and exhibits are provided to children, families, and adults, including drop-in hikers and visitors. Additionally, they are responsible for implementing and helping to develop a dynamic, high quality environmental education summer camp curriculum on and off-site, for 10 -12 weeks between the end of June and Labor Day (Monday –Friday; 8:00 am to 4:00 pm) for a variety of age levels. Curriculum is hands-on and geared toward helping children and adults to develop awareness, appreciation and stewardship for the natural world.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Learn our environmental education curriculum and implement the purpose, goals and objectives of each program.
• Teach programs, on and off site, for groups of Pre K-12th grade children, scouts, birthday parties, families and adults including special needs individuals and groups, following best practices. This includes all aspects of programming, including set up, clean up, evaluation, and follow up.
• Help to develop new programs and prepare and maintain program curriculum materials.
• Support TNC events, staff tables, exhibits, and special programs as needed.
• Help develop and teach outdoor activities for different age groups of students, ranging in age from 4-14, for 10 week-long day camp sessions. This includes all aspects of programming, including set up, supervision, clean up, evaluation, follow up, and inventory.
• Provide educational support including documenting program evaluations, database management, mass mailings, event planning and promotion, phone calls, etc.
• Lead groups outdoors on TNC’s trails in variable weather conditions and terrain.
• Create and maintain a safe, fun, learning atmosphere for children while projecting a knowledgeable & confident image to parents and teachers.
• Work with other staff and supervise volunteers.
• Assists with the care and handling of captive live animals, including but not limited to: amphibians, reptiles, invertebrates, and birds of prey.
• Articulate organization mission and project a helpful and positive attitude when interacting with the public, including TNC members, teachers, and group leaders in person & on the phone.
• Work with nature center’s online database to maintain records and administer registrations.
• Answering phones, as needed, and answer questions about  programs including TNC’s scheduled presentations, camps, lectures, hikes; field natural history questions from the public, and direct questions to appropriate experts.
• Help coordinate and perform seasonal outdoor grounds and facilities maintenance and, with volunteers and other staff, in order to maintain safe, clean and inviting conditions (ex. recycling, leaf removal etc.)
• Provide or assist with first aid and emergency care as needed.
• Maintain positive working relationships with other staff, volunteers and TNC board members.
• Prepare for and participate in staff training and meetings.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Available for all 10 weeks of summer camp sessions with no vacation days.
• Currently enrolled in or have graduated from a college/university. With at least 2 years prior experience in environmental education, outdoor education or early childhood education.
• Knowledge of and passion for the natural world.
• Enthusiastic, energetic, outgoing, patient, and flexible when working with children and adults.
• Willingness and ability to work outdoors in variable weather conditions and variable terrain.
• Comfortable handling or learning to handle reptiles, invertebrates and birds of prey (training provided).
• Ability to work both independently and on a team with minimal supervision.
• Ability to communicate effectively and interact well on the phone and in writing.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to walk all the trails of TNC and climb one flight of stairs and lift and move up to 50 lbs.
• Mastery of Microsoft Office and common office equipment. Able to learn new computer programs. E-mail and internet skills required. Experience with data entry/registration software a plus.
• Willingness and ability to work irregular hours.
• Criminal history background checks will be required, consistent with all applicable laws
• Current first aid & CPR (adult, children, infant) certification or ability to obtain certification.
• Currently be eligible to work in the USA.
• Valid Driver's license and personal transportation.
• Must be fully vaccinated for Covid-19 by start date (reasonable accommodations will be considered on a case-by-case basis for exemptions to this requirement in accordance with applicable law).

The attitudes and personal characteristics demonstrated

1. Enthusiasm, patience, understanding, flexibility, and energy for working with children and adults.
2. Projecting a positive and professional image.
3. Self-motivated, detailed-oriented with the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
4. Ability to multi-task and make decisions requiring good judgment in the absence of specific directions.

Time Commitment

8-Month Seasonal Environmental Educator position is a seasonal, full-time, nonexempt, position. Consisting of a total of 40 hours, typically consisting of 5 workdays of 7.5 hours with a half-hour lunch. Regular availability needed between the hours of 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Wednesday-Sunday during the school year (March 13-June 16 and September 11-November 13) with some evening availability, and 8:00 am – 4:00 pm, Monday-Friday during camp sessions (June 17-September 10). TNC conducts programming seven days a week and operates between the hours of 9:00 am – 9:00 pm.

Expected Start Date

March 13

Send cover letter, resume, and three professional references to the Education Program Manager, Jennifer LoDico: jlodico@TenaflyNC.org. No calls please.