Environmental Educator

AmeriCorps members serving with the Potomac Valley Audubon Society (PVAS) will provide environmental outreach and education to youth in Jefferson, Berkeley, and Morgan Counties in West Virginia in formal and informal settings.

Roles and Responsibilies

1.     Provide instruction of PVAS programs to youth in Jefferson, Berkeley, and Morgan Counties in West Virginia. Audiences may include children ages 2-18. These programs include but are not limited to the following:

• Monthly Wee Naturalist Pre-School Programs: 1.5 hour long programs at Cool Spring Preserve for ages 3-5 year-olds who attend with a parent
• Weekly homeschool Outdoor School classes at both Cool Spring Preserve and Yankauer Nature Preserve: 6 hour classes for ages 5-10
• Fourth Grade Watershed program: This includes 5 in-school lessons to fourth grade classes followed by a fieldtrip to a local stream.
• Family programs: Evening campfires and night hikes, Halloween “Trail of Bones” program, etc.
• Summer Camp: Weekly day camps in June and July
• General Nature Programs: These include programs and field trips with local schools relating to topics such as insects, reptiles, birds, decomposers, etc.
• Scout programs and library programs

2.     Assist in developing new programs, implement activities, and help evaluate programs for effectiveness. 

3.     Help with animal care and cleaning (turtles, snake, hissing cockroaches, worms, and others), nature center interpretation and management, meet/greet visitors and special groups, and giving tours of PVAS properties.

4.     Participate fully in all trainings provided by PVAS and AmeriCorps.             

5.     Communicate with teachers/youth leaders to confirm program times and locations beforehand.

6.     Prepare all lessons, materials, and teaching space needed for each lesson/activity as required, and clean up all spaces and clean/restock equipment after use. Store all cleaned and organized items in appropriate location.

9.     Evaluate and improve upon curriculum in collaboration with Supervisor.

11.  Occasionally work with the land manager on conservation initiatives

12.  Occasionally help with social media posts

13.  Occasionally write articles for our newsletter, “Valley Views”.

Qualifications

To qualify for an this position, you must meet the following criteria:

·      High school graduate/GED (Bachelors Degree in the Environmental field or education field preferred)

·      At least 18 years of age

·      U.S. Citizen

·      Interest in community service and commitment to getting things done in your community

·      Must be able to work roughly 33 hours a week Monday- Friday

·      Able to work occasional Saturdays, Sundays and/or evenings (Work hours will never exceed 35 hours a week)

·      Able to drive up to 1 hour to school programs and PVAS nature preserves (Driving costs are reimbursed)

·      Have patience and skills to teach/counsel up to 25 children at a time

·      Ability to provide accurate science content in school programs up to 12th grade level

·      Basic knowledge of computers and Google Docs, Drive, Calendar, Slides and Sheets.

·      Good writing, speaking, communication, research, networking skills

·      Creative and motivated hard worker

·      Excellent people skills

·      Organized and self-starter

·      Able to lift and carry 40 lbs over uneven ground for distances a minimum of 50 feet;

·      Able to hike at least two miles over rough terrain at a brisk pace (4mph);

·      Able to be outside for long periods of time in rain, snow and/or cold temperatures

Details & Benefits

1. All members must sign a contract committing to one year of service. Start date is September 12, 2022, but soon after is acceptable. All positions are full-time.

2. Full time members who complete their 1,700 hour commitment for the year will receive a living allowance of $717.48 pre-tax twice monthly (Roughly $17,219.52 for the year) and will also receive an educational award of $6,495. The educational award can be used for existing student dept, current or future education expense – and the member has 7 years in which to use it.

3. Healthcare benefits while in service

4. Childcare assistance while in service (if you qualify)

5. Student loan forbearance or deferment while in service

6. Potential opportunity to attend a public West Virginia college tuition free for 1 year.

How to apply:

Visit our wesite to learn more about the Potomac Valley Audubon Society.

1. Send resume with cover letter and contact information for three references via e-mail to:  amy@potomacaudubon.org

Note: Cover letter should relate your experiences and abilities to this specific job. Generic or non-specific letters will receive no reply. No phone calls please. 

2) Candidates must also apply to and be approved by AmeriCorps. Details of that process will be shared once PVAS approves the applicant through resume review and interview. A sample of the application packet and reference forms will be provided upon request.