Environmental Educator

Why It's a Great Opportunity:
Our Sustainable Resources Department is looking for an environmental educator to both share and implement our Solid and Hazardous Waste Management and Sustainability 2030 plans with the community of Pierce County. In this role you will build relationships with professional educators and community partners to develop and conduct environmental education programs focused on waste reduction and sustainability to Pierce County pre-K through 12th grade students, teachers and adults. This is an opportunity to use your excitement for the local environment, incorporate solutions-oriented learning and make a real difference in our community.
 
Why It's a Great Department: 
PPW is a diverse and fast-moving department filled with motivated professionals working to ensure Pierce County is positioned to handle growth while building, operating, and maintaining reliable infrastructure to support livable communities. PPW is responsible for a broad and complex portfolio of services that provides unique opportunities to collaborate, innovate, and inspire. We are responsible for the County road and levee systems, sewer systems, airports, ferries, building permits, environmental review, sustainability, community planning, and code enforcement - just to name a few!
  
Learn more about Planning and Public Works at www.piercecountywa.org/ppw
 
Learn more about Pierce County’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Plan at Sustainability-2030-Pierce-Countys-Greenhouse-Gas-Reduction-Plan (piercecountywa.gov)
 
How to be Successful in the Role: 
You will be joining an established work team of educators who are passionate about what they do. Your ability to be flexible, self-motivated, a team player, and be an excellent communicator, both in writing and verbally, will aid in your long-term success. You will do outreach, coordinate, schedule, and prepare materials and teaching kits for your presentations.  Your experience going into schools, knowledge of teaching strategies to develop lessons, managing/leading action projects to address a wide range of audiences, and your ability to listen and respond to what the customer needs, will help you develop effective change in our community.
 
Your Future in this Role: 
Throughout the onboarding process you will meet with the Director, Managers, Supervisors, teams, and the PPW senior admin team regularly to discuss expectations, set goals, identify priorities, gain familiarity with current policies, procedures, and strategic measures. Pierce County offers professional development through the Leadership Certification program, robust online learning, and other training opportunities throughout your career to ensure your success.
 
Core Daily Responsibilities:

• Conduct environmental educational programs that focus on topics such as composting, waste reduction and recycling, and other sustainability issues. 
• Provide direct instruction and facilitate educational opportunities at various locations such as classrooms, school grounds, libraries, parks, and solid waste facilities. 
• Manage student physical, social and emotional safety using sound judgment and applying appropriate risk management decisions. 
• Provide assessments (formal and informal) of student learning to help evidence achievement of educational goals. 
• Design customized educational programs that support the needs of the county, teachers, and community partners, that align with our educational framework, program logistics and learner interests. Cultivate an inclusive learning community, using sensitivity to bring cultural relevance to program content. 
• Assist at promotions such as fair booth staffing, attend other events to inform the general public of waste and sustainability issues and techniques. 
• Participate as a team member on Sustainable Resources division projects. 
• Create and modify lesson plans through a lens of equity that support local and state curriculum standards. 
• Stay up to date on resources and teaching methods 
• Produce and maintain materials to be used for educational programs.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A four-year degree in environmental science, education, or related field.  
• Two or more years of informal or formal teaching experience. 
• Some experience conducting presentations, workshops, and outdoor education in the environmental field is required. 
• Additional education or experience which clearly indicated the ability to perform the essential functions of the position may substitute on a year for year basis for the recruiting requirements.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCESS
 
To be considered for this opportunity please:

• Complete and submit a detailed online Pierce County Employment Application by selecting "APPLY" above or go to:   www.piercecountywa.org/jobs. 
• Submit a resume and cover letter.
• If you have a question about this opportunity, please email the Recruitment Team at PCHRRecruit@piercecountywa.gov and specify the Job Number and Title. 
• If you do not have internet access, you may visit your local public library or any WorkSource location and use their computers.
• Individuals needing accommodation in the application, testing process or need this job announcement in an alternative format may call Human Resources at (253) 798-7480, at least two days prior to the need.