Environmental Education Leadership Corp Member

EELC Member 

DEFINITION:

Under supervision from the Director of Education and Programming and the Assistant Director of Education, the Environmental Education Leadership Corps Member provides direct support for Parklands Outdoor Classroom education programming. This position is a joint position between The Parklands of Floyds Fork and Americorps. The EELC Member researches, develops, and leads nature and science-based programs such as school field trips, youth outdoor camps, adult hikes, and family programs. Programs are led both in school classrooms as well as on our trails, bike paths, and creek. This position will frequently hike in the park as well as bike and kayak as necessary. This position also provides visitor service support in the parks and at the PNC Achievement Center. This position works independently and as a team within the education department and ensures that visitors of all ages have an interesting, informative, and enjoyable experience while in the Parklands. 

The incumbent will lead high-quality outdoor educational and recreational experiences for participants that focus on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) and nature-based education, as well as The Parklands core values of safe, fun, clean, and beautiful. The position works early mornings and some weekends/holidays. This is a 900-hour grant funded position through Americorps and the Kentucky Environmental Education Council. This is a five-month position beginning February 17, 2025 and ending August 1, 2025 averaging 32-40 hours per week. 

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

The EELC Member position is distinguished from other positions in that it provides the full front-line customer service interface for The Parklands of Floyds Fork during education programming. The ideal EELC member(s) will be friendly, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable. As a primary visitor contact, the EELC Member works to increase the public’s understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment of the significant and special places in the Parklands. The EELC Member will conduct a variety of interpretive programs including, but not limited to, school field trip classes, park tours, interpretive hikes, school outreach programs, family programs, and guided walks to a wide variety of audiences. The EELC Member will also assist in maintaining the educational garden beds around the PNC Center Achievement Center as well as reptile (turtles) wildlife enclosures.

Essential Duties of the Position (The Parklands of Floyds Fork):

• Deliver education content for registered programs (school field trips and outreach, camps, scout programs, adult hikes, and family events)
• Lead interpretive hikes, guided walks and cultural history tours for a variety of ages
• Answer phone calls, provide Parklands information, assist park visitors
• Perform basic building maintenance and cleaning tasks
• Assist in planting, weeding, harvesting, and general care of the education garden
• Undertake all necessary training including the PEEC Course, Child Protection Training and CPR First Aid
• Greet & welcome visitors, provide information about Parklands amenities

Essential Functions of the Position (Americorps): 

• Member directly delivers environmental programs or activities of at least 20 minutes duration to the clients of the service site.  This may include individuals or groups. 
• Member consistently conducts the EELCorps Participant Survey provided by the Program for all lessons, activities or programs the Member performs lasting more than 20 minutes.
• Member maintains accurate and confidential records of the number of people that have received direct instruction, and all survey responses for submission during monthly EELCorps Data Collection.
• Member completes Monthly Data Collection by the 1st Monday of each month and bi-weekly timesheets by the specified due dates.
• Member develops new EE programs or activities that support the mission of the service site.
• Member assesses the effectiveness of their instruction in cooperation with their service site.
• Member communicates service activity to, and maintains open communication with site supervisors, and EELC staff via regular professional meetings and through reports completed in OnCorps. 
• Member attends and completes all requirements for the required member trainings and professional development, including required monthly EELCorps meetings. 
• Member seeks opportunities to lead or assist with programs in support of EE and increasing the environmental stewardship in the communities they serve. (This may include assisting with marketing and promoting EE opportunities offered at the service site).
• Member seeks opportunities to build strong relationships with site and community partners who support the EELCorps goal of using the environment as a framework for instruction in all content areas. 
• Member speaks to civic organizations about experiences in AmeriCorps service. 
• Member presents at environmentally focused conferences, summits, and symposiums when possible. 
• Member participates in mandatory meetings and trainings with EELCorps and Serve Kentucky.
• Member participates in AmeriCorps Week and other service projects as directed by EELCorps.
•  

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS:

• Excellent public interaction skills; must have a pleasant, welcoming, enthusiastic attitude
• Bachelor’s degree in parks and recreation, teaching, ecology, or environmental sciences strongly preferred
• Ability to learn and disseminate information to a variety of audiences, and to make learning both engaging and fun
• Ability to work well with team members and volunteers
• Positive attitude
• Basic knowledge of Kentucky flora & fauna and an understanding of Kentucky cultural history
• Basic understanding of STEAM subject areas, and Next Generation Science Standards 

Additional Requirements:

• Be 17 years or older (no upper age limit)
• Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. National, or Lawful Permanent Resident Alien
• Be able and willing to undergo and pass a National Service Criminal History Check including: 
  • A check of the National Sex Offender Public Registry
  • A State of Service check (Kentucky) and State of Residence check (state where member lives)
  • A fingerprint based FBI check.
• Work independently in varied weather conditions including rain, cold, and heat
• Individuals must be physically capable of operating vehicles safely, possess a valid driver’s license and have an acceptable driving record
• Must be able to lift 40 pounds and move easily in an outdoor setting with regular work in outdoor conditions without environmental controls
• Ability to satisfactorily complete First Aid/CPR training
• Ability to complete youth protection training
• Ability to adhere to a Uniform Policy

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION:

Applicants must be 17 to apply. Passion for the outdoors and ability to communicate effectively required. Bachelor’s degree with coursework in parks and recreation, natural sciences, teaching, or cultural history preferred. Years of experience or a deep understanding of Kentucky’s natural history may supplement educational requirements.

BENEFITS:

This is a 900 hour position beginning February 17, 2025, and ending August 1, 2026. The EELC member will be paid a living allowance totaling $20,000 to be paid in bi-monthly installments throughout the duration of the position. The full-time EELC member will also be eligible for training, education, healthcare, and childcare benefits outlined in the table below. 

Half-time (900 Hour)

Hour Commitment

900 hours

Living allowance

$10,000

Segal Education Award

$3,697.50

Eligible for Member Assistance Program

Yes

Eligible for Health insurance?

No

Eligible to apply for Child-Care Assistance

No*

Professional development provided?

Certified in environmental education core curricula**

*Any member serving more than 32 hours per week for the length of their service term may be eligible for child-care assistance from AmeriCorps.

**Non-full-time members receive certification in Project Wet, Project Wild, and Project Learning Tree. These 3 core curricula are included in the PEEC certification.

LOCATION:

This position is based out of Beckley Creek Park at the PNC Achievement Center, 20 minutes east of downtown Louisville near Middletown. Duties require daily work outdoors and potentially in other park facilities within The Parklands system.

APPLY:

Please click here to fill out an application online. If you have questions regarding the position, please contact Director of Education and Programming Curtis Carman at ccarman@theparklands.org or (502) 815-0274. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

ABOUT THE PARKLANDS: The Parklands of Floyds Fork is a systemic, world-class addition to Louisville’s park system that includes four major parks linked by a park drive, a first-rate urban trail system, and a remarkable water trail, all tracing Floyds Fork, a classic Kentucky stream. Ongoing maintenance and operations are funded solely through private donations, earned income and an endowment fund. This public/private project is a unique and truly city-shaping model. This is the largest fully funded non-profit park system in the nation. Learn more at www.theparklands.org.

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