Environmental Educator

Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy plays a vital role in creating and energizing this community-focused, world-class urban oasis on the Brooklyn waterfront. A 501(c)3 non-profit, we bring this unique park space to life with more than 500 innovative and engaging educational, cultural, fitness and recreational programs each year. Our free and low-cost events create new and exciting opportunities for tens of thousands of NYC residents and visitors to learn, grow, and experience all that Brooklyn Bridge Park has to offer.

The Conservancy’s environmental education programs activate Brooklyn Bridge Park as a living laboratory for understanding the ecology, history and built environment of Brooklyn’s waterfront. Our experiential programs prioritize impactful, place-based learning experiences that aim to inspire environmental connections and stewardship in Brooklyn Bridge Park. We’re seeking an energetic and experienced full-time (Tuesday – Saturday) Environmental Educator to support these efforts through the delivery of pedagogically and curriculum-aligned education programs to early childhood, school-aged and family audiences.

The successful applicant will possess a teaching knowledge of environmental science topics, such as urban ecology, waterfront history and sustainability practices; and, have a proven track record teaching diverse audiences in informal or formal education settings, preferably outdoors, with an emphasis on K-12 students. We seek a self-starter with a can-do attitude that feels comfortable working both independently and in a collaborative team setting and possesses strong time management and communication skills. Spanish language fluency encouraged.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Teaching environmental education classes both outdoors at sites throughout Brooklyn Bridge Park and indoors at the Environmental Education Center;
• Contributing to the ongoing creation, evaluation and refinement of environmental education curriculum and activities;
• Facilitating drop-in public education programs, including weekly Open Hours in the Environmental Education Center and seasonal seining and fishing events;
• Preparing, transporting, setting up and breaking down education program materials at sites across Brooklyn Bridge Park;
• Participating in the department-wide maintenance of education spaces and supplies;
• Assisting with weekly animal care tasks, including feedings and light husbandry, as needed;
• Acting as an on-site contact and support for education volunteers;
• Representing and/or presenting at internal and external forums, including all-staff meetings, education-related trainings, expos, workshops and conferences;
• Staffing Conservancy-wide public program and fundraising events, community outreach initiatives and other activities, as required.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Environmental Science, Ecology, Marine Biology, or related field; and, at least 2 years teaching environmental education in a formal or informal K-12 setting, preferably with an outdoor component, OR, high school diploma; and, at least 4 years teaching environmental education in a formal or informal K-12 setting, preferably with an outdoor component
• Master’s degree in Education, Environmental Science, Ecology, Marine Biology, or related field, beneficial
• Experience working with the NYC Department of Education, NYC schools, administrators and classroom teachers, a plus

Working Conditions:

Programs takes place inside and outside in all weather conditions (heat, cold, rain, snow, etc.). Successful candidates will possess a(n)/the:

• Willingness to get dirty and handle live animals;
• Ability to crouch, bend, squat and lift up to 40 pounds;
• Ability to stand for extended periods of time, walk across the length of the Park and navigate uneven terrain (e.g. shoreline);
• Ability to work occasional extra hours or weekends for special programs;
• Either a valid driver’s license or ability to ride a bicycle, preferred.

This is an on-site position based out of our 99 Plymouth Street and 334 Furman Street offices, with limited remote work opportunities, depending upon programmatic priorities and supervisory approval. This position reports to the Education Manager.