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.