Environmental Educator

Explore Ecology Environmental Education Program (North and South County)

Environmental Educator

Full Time

An Environmental Educator’s primary role is to conduct field trips and in-class lessons focusing on water quality and waste reduction and to educate and inspire the next generation of elementary-aged environmental stewards. Main duties include: leading field trips and in-class lessons, data tracking and reporting, maintaining teaching supplies and field trip sites, educational event preparation and implementation, and more as assigned. The Environmental Educator reports to the Environmental Education Program Coordinator.

Role and Responsibilities

• Lead environmental education lessons, both on school campuses and at various field trip sites
• Drive to various school and field trip sites located throughout Santa Barbara County
• Perform administrative duties related to tracking of student performance and teacher satisfaction
• Track litter cleanup data during certain lessons and events
• Assist and support the Coordinator in marketing and scheduling lessons and field trips
• Maintain all teaching kits in a well-stocked and clean condition
• Staff occasional evening and weekend special events
• Additional administrative roles as assigned

Work Environment

• Position is in-person, with the option to work remote as appropriate for certain administrative portions of the job
• Standing, bending, and stooping, for extended periods of time (up to 8 hours)
• Extensive contact with the public and children
• Walking and climbing as required
• Unassisted heavy lifting (up to 30 lbs)

Scheduling

• Full Time: 30-40 hours per week
• Must be able to work occasional evenings and weekends (Saturday and/or Sunday), as scheduled

Additional Qualifications and Education Requirements

• A degree in Environmental Education, Environmental Studies, Resource Conservation, related field or equivalent experience and/or experience working in a school setting or leading groups of students ages 5-13
• Must pass LiveScan (fingerprint background check) and TB test
• Self-starter, motivated to lead an innovative environmental education program and inspire the school community to follow through with techniques learned during the presentations
• Excellent written and oral communication skills (Spanish language skills desirable)
• Highly organized and able to manage multiple responsibilities
• Excellent rapport with children; experience with primary school setting, including a familiarity with curricular standards, and classroom activities 
• Ability to supervise and engage small and large groups of elementary students
• Comfortable working from multiple locations and traveling between job sites and Explore Ecology offices
• Able to provide prompt transportation within Santa Barbara County and provide proof of insurance
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Google Suite, e-mail and internet (daily access to email, Google Calendar, and Google Drive)
• Ability to attend regular staff meetings
• Ability to commit at least 30 hours per week, including occasional weekends

Preferred Skills and Characteristics

• Environmental knowledge of waste reduction, water quality, and composting systems with an understanding of how environmental issues and ecology are related
• Strong teaching skills and experience in conducting in-class presentations to groups of elementary-aged students
• Excellent administrative and data entry skills: accurate, detail oriented, organized, time efficient, self-directed, able to multitask
• Ability to be flexible and work both independently and as a team
• Quick to learn multiple environmental lesson presentations
• Excellent interpersonal skills; able to work with coworkers and students of diverse backgrounds

Explore Ecology actively promotes an environment of respect, diversity, equity, and inclusion. We support all employees regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, age, race, ethnic origin, color, religion, national origin, creed, marital status, disabled veteran status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, and/or physical disability that does not inhibit the performance of the specific core tasks of this position.

Underrepresented people are less likely to apply unless they meet 100% of a job's requirements. We believe in hiring people, not checklists, and encourage you to apply even if you do not check all of the boxes. 

To view more open positions at Explore Ecology, please visit our website: https://exploreecology.org/get-involved/job-listings/