Environmental Educator

Title: Seasonal Environmental Educator 
Department: Programs and Interpretation  
Reports to: Interpretation Manager and Community Programs Manager 

About Butterfly Pavilion: Here at Butterfly Pavilion, we transform the way people think about invertebrates. These small but mighty animals that surround us are so much more than people think. They are everywhere because everything depends on them. They are the hidden heroes of the animal kingdom. As the leader in invertebrate knowledge, inspiration and connection, Butterfly Pavilion works to foster an appreciation of these critical animals by educating the public about the need to protect and care for threatened habitats globally, while conducting research for solutions in invertebrate conservation. Whether it is providing unique, hands-on learning experiences in our exhibits and educational programs, conducting new research that sets the standard for zoos across the country or building innovative solutions for species and habitat conservation in countries around the world, Butterfly Pavilion is leading the way in ensuring invertebrates are protected for the future.  

Looking forward, we are committed to providing the most enriching experience for our audience, being recognized as a scientific authority, and being a leading educational resource on invertebrates. To this end, Butterfly Pavilion has begun the initial stages of launching a $40 million Capital Campaign to expand Butterfly Pavilion into the Center for Invertebrate Research and Conservation (CIRC) in a brand new, state-of-the-art facility in 2025.   

A large part of who we are as an organization is how we interact with each other. Valuing our facility, guests, donors, and our team is a priority, without these puzzle pieces we cannot make it all work, these Core Values guide us throughout our day.  We Love What We Do at Butterfly Pavilion, we Make Science Cool by Going Above and Beyond for all guests, donors, and team members while also Leading Change in invertebrate conservation. We Know Our Stuff and work to have a healthy culture by Being Positive and Welcoming to All. These are not just words, but words for us to live by here at Butterfly Pavilion.  

Core Values: 

Make Science Cool: Science has the power to change the world and education is where it starts. We immerse our guests in the world of invertebrates, creating a safe, comfortable atmosphere to make connections to nature, filling guests with wonder and inspiring them to embrace their role as stewards of our environment.  

Go Above and Beyond: It is “our job” to find a solution, even if we did not create the problem. We never stop with okay, instead striving for world class in all we do.  

Love What You Do: As a conservation organization, we are fortunate enough to have the opportunity to do the work we do each day. Independ of role, project or task, we stand behind that work with an unwavering belief in the significance of our efforts to support our mission, knowing our passion will inspire others to join our efforts.  

Be Positive: We approach challenges with vibrant optimism. Always assuming positive intent, we embrace a productive problem-solving attitude and a supportive team-oriented atmosphere.  

Know Your Stuff: We are the experts on invertebrates and their conservation. We are well-informed and present knowledge in a way that is accessible to the public and allows us to embrace our role as a community leader locally and globally.  

Lead Change: We approach our work with a sense of exploration and adventure, pioneering new ways to view the world in which we live. As problem solvers, we seek new ways of tackling challenges and approaching opportunities.  

Welcome All: We pride ourselves in embracing diversity of thoughts, beliefs, and lifestyles. We embrace a kind, compassionate, and engaging approach, welcoming all people in the work we do. We seek a competency of cultural understanding and social responsibility to make it as easy as possible for others to join us in conserving our natural world.  

FLSA Status: Non- Exempt, Part Time, seasonal  

Hourly Rate: $15.00/hour  

Position Summary: The seasonal Environmental Educator is responsible for providing world class interpretation, daily programs, and guest interactions throughout Butterfly Pavilion. The Seasonal Environmental Educator may also be asked to represent Butterfly Pavilion at events throughout the community or provide support to classes, birthday parties, or Butterfly Pavilion events.  

Essential Functions: 

• Interacting with Butterfly Pavilion guests as they visit all of our exhibits.  
• Facilitating play-based learning and providing educational information to guests of all ages. 
• Using live animals to demonstrate science-based concepts to guests.  
• Conducting daily public programming and supporting curriculum development.  
• Teaching engaging, interactive science education programs at the Butterfly Pavilion, in local schools, youth organizations, senior centers, libraries, other community locations, and via real-time interactive video conference (distance learning) for diverse audiences 
• Creating meaningful interaction between the exhibit and guests for a deeper and more thoughtful experience and to make connections between exhibit topic and daily life. 
• Working alongside all team members to provide high quality interpretation and complete project work to enhance exhibit experiences.  
• Responsible for specific exhibit expertise and dissemination of specific exhibit content as assigned. 
• Facilitating birthday party programs and other private events as needed.  
• Being an ambassador at outreach booths in the community as needed.  

Additional Duties: 

• Attending required branch and facility meetings and stay up to date on all communications from within the organization 
• Collaborating with volunteers and interns to ensure optimal guest experience  
• Collaborating with Programs & Interpretation department to design, develop and implement new curricula or programs or redesign existing curricula to meet needs of diverse audiences 
• Provide administrative support to Programs, Interpretation, and Exhibits Department 
• Other duties as assigned 

Qualifications / Experience 

Qualifications: 

• Pursuing or holding a degree in interpretation, education, environmental sciences, hospitality, biology or related fields  
• Comfortable interacting with guests of all ages  
• Excellent customer service and communication skills 
• Enthusiastic, strong sense of fun, and patient 
• Organized and flexible 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Multilingual 
• Prior experiences providing instruction to learners with different needs 
• Familiarity with NGSS and CAS 
• Familiarity with NAI  
• CPR and First Aid certified 

Experience: 

• 1-2 years' experience working in a non-formal education/museum/education setting 
• Prior experience in a customer service-based role 
• Prior experience working with individuals of different ages and abilities 
• Prior experience working with intergenerational groups 

Competencies: 

• Build relationships  
• Teamwork - 
• Detail-oriented  
• Communication skills  
• Interpersonal Skills  
• Initiative 
• Project/time management  
• Department Knowledge  

Work Environment / Physical Requirements:   

Work Environment  

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moderate to loud environmental noise for extended periods of time. 
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the Interpretation Manager.         

Physical Demands 

• These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions within this position. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the described essential functions of the Seasonal Environmental Educator. 
• While performing the responsibilities of the Seasonal Environmental Educator, the employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is often required to sit and use their hands and fingers, to handle or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with arms and hands, climb or balance, and to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision.  
• Ability to lift, carry and load education materials into vehicle, not to exceed 50 lbs. 

Work Schedule:  

Up to 28 hours/week, weekend days and some nights required 

How to apply:

Butterfly Pavilion is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages people of all backgrounds to apply for open positions and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty or veteran status. 

Applicants must submit a Resume and Cover Letter to the following link: 

https://www.applicantpro.com/openings/butterflies/jobs/1945933/CO-Colorado/Westminster/Environmental-Educator

Position is open until filled. No phone calls or drop ins please.