Education Specialist

Position Summary

This position is a part time, 10-month contract with the possibility for extension. A qualified candidate must be able to commit to 3-4 workshops in 2023 (dates below) and at least 5 hours per month in other education related program work. Each workshop requires approximately 50 to 60 hours total, with approximately 40 of those hours directly for instruction and travel (less time if no travel required). 

The MJV will provide at least 6 workshops in 2023, primarily in the summer months, with plans to increase offerings in future years. To learn more about workshops MJV offers visit our website. Specialists would need to be available to support at least 3 workshops in 2023. Planned dates and locations are as follows, with additional dates still to be determined. Dates may shift slightly.

• Cleveland, OH June 12-13 or 14 (travel June 11 and 14 or 15) 
• Madison, WI  July 19-21 (travel July 18 and 22) OR Madison, WI July 24-26 (travel July 23 and 27)
• Minneapolis, MN August 1-3
• Maple Grove, MN (Eastman Nature Center) - 3 Wednesday evenings followed by a Saturday, Fall 2023, exact dates TBD

Initial training will be provided upon hiring, with additional training to occur on-the-job. Travel costs for remote workshops are covered by MJV; transportation to and from programs within the Twin Cities metropolitan area are the responsibility of the employee.

Responsibilities

(A) Prepare, conduct, and complete follow-up for teacher professional development workshops (85%)

Travel to predetermined locations to conduct teacher professional development workshops on monarch and schoolyard biology, ecology, conservation and community science. Education Specialists will also take on additional duties such as coordinating with the site host, participants and fellow instructors. Specific duties include:

1. Workshop instruction (70-75%). Instruction of MJV’s curriculum to K-12 teachers and informal educators from across North America. Workshops range from half-day to four-days with 15-60 participants. Content will include monarch butterfly biology and ecology, insect identification, schoolyard ecology, habitat creation and exploration, community science, and the process of science and investigations. The Monarchs and More curriculum is the backbone of instruction, supported by other tools and instructor experience. 
2. Participant and site-host coordination (5-10%). Communicate with participants to relay information pertaining to logistics for the workshop and post-workshop resources and follow-up. This will include emails and phone calls to answer questions and share information, tracking registration, developing promotional materials and other related activities.

(B) Provide educational program support (10%)

MJV receives multiple requests for both in person and virtual programs to a variety of groups on topics related to monarchs, pollinators, gardening and outdoor learning. Education specialists will conduct these outreach opportunities as schedules allow. Audiences for these programs vary from school-aged groups to adults and families. In addition to programming, specialists will help support the creation of educational materials. 

(C) Additional duties as assigned (5%) 

Conduct additional duties related to MJV’s education programs as needed. 

Qualifications

Essential Skills: Education Specialists must have experience in the education field (K-12 or non formal). Specialists must be able to work both independently and in close collaboration with other MJV staff. Work will include travel, which may include early mornings, late nights or weekends; specialists must be able to travel for multi-day trips. Workshop days may be long. Specialists must be comfortable instructing in the content area, conversing with teachers, educators, youth and the general public. The position requires excellent verbal and written communication skills, attention to detail, computer skills, and an understanding of biological and ecological concepts in addition to familiarity with the field of formal and nonformal environmental education and related. A valid driver's license is also required.

Desired Skills: Experience with monarchs or other invertebrates. Knowledge of native plants and animals. Experience with conducting training or workshops. Experience with K-12 curriculum development and familiarity with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).

Equal Opportunity Employment 

The Monarch Joint Venture (MJV) is an equal opportunity employer. As such, MJV offers equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, gender, religion, age, nationality, social or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. These opportunities include all terms, conditions, and privileges of employment, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, job placement, training, compensation, benefits, discipline, advancement, and termination. All employees are expected to adhere to this policy. 

The Monarch Joint Venture is an at-will employer. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

How to Apply

Submit a single PDF document titled “Lastname Firstname_Education Specialist” that includes:

1. Your resume (1-2 pages max)
2. Responses to the following prompts (NO COVER LETTERS will be accepted; responses should not exceed 5 sentences per prompt):
   • Describe your experience with inquiry-based learning and/or teaching in an outdoor classroom.
   • Tell us about your experience using monarchs, pollinators, or other invertebrates as an educational tool for teaching science or other subject areas.
   • Tell us about an experience coordinating a workshop or event.
3. The names and contact information for 2-3 references.

Send application materials by email to jobs@monarchjointventure.org with the subject line “Education Specialist Application.” Any questions about the job or application process may be sent to jobs@monarchjointventure.org

What to Expect

Successful applications will be invited to a 45-minute interview via Zoom with 1-2 MJV staff members. References may be contacted after this interview. While unlikely, a potential short second interview may be requested as needed in final decision making. All candidates will be notified via email if their application is no longer being considered.