Environmental Educator - The Ridges Sanctuary

Position Service Site: The Ridges Sanctuary (Baileys Harbor, WI)

Service Time: September 5, 2023– August 16, 2024 (1700 Hour AmeriCorps term, 50 Weeks, 35 Hours/Week)

Benefits: Living stipend total for whole term = $23,000 ($460 per week) Education Award = $6,895 upon successful completion of service, Health insurance optional (1 year/1,700 hour positions only, who are not already covered)"

Housing that is walking distance to the service site is provided for $50 per week.

OVERVIEW: The Ridges Sanctuary mission is to protect the Sanctuary and inspire stewardship of natural areas through programs of education, outreach, and research. The Ridges was established in 1937 after Albert Fuller, then Curator of Botany at the Milwaukee Public Museum, began spending a significant amount of time surveying the landscape. Fuller spearheaded a grassroots movement to protect this incredibly diverse property and establish Wisconsin’s first land trust. The Ridges now protects over 1600 acres comprising fifteen discrete plant communities, 475 inventoried vascular plants, a Boreal Forest glacial relict and twenty-six of Wisconsin’s forty-nine native orchids. The Ridges has also established popular early childhood education programs, a nationally recognized Orchid Restoration Project, and welcomes over 35,000 visitors to our Nature Center each year.

SERVICE DESCRIPTION: The Ridges Sanctuary is seeking motivated individuals to join our team of educators. The primary responsibilities will be developing and leading Forest Days – an educational program built in collaboration with the local public schools that engages students grades PreK-6th grade in their school forest each month throughout the school year. This placement will be focused on the environmental education experiences for grades 2-6 at Gibraltar Public School. Additional responsibilities will include - leading guided hikes for adults and families and assisting visitors at the Nature Center and along the trail. Other experiences include weekly immersion into the operations of the Organization including our Orchid Research Project, Land Management, and other special projects throughout the service period.  

This placement is perfect for individuals preparing to work in classroom settings as well as those interested in expanding their experience in environmental education.

Training that will be provided, if not already completed:

• Knowledge of local natural history
• Early Childhood Education Training
• CPR and Shaken Baby Syndrome
• Throughout the experience, there will be ongoing learning opportunities to expand your knowledge in education, research, preservation, and more!

RESPONSBILITIES:

Education Programs

• Assist with developing lesson plans and teaching Forest Days for grades 2-6 at Gibraltar Public School using the public school adopted Forest Days Curriculum
• Lead nature hikes on a daily basis teaching visitors about The Ridges
• Assist with group tours as needed
• Participate in special events
• Assist developing brochures, programs, activities to enhance the visitor experience

Visitor Engagement

• Interact with visitors regularly and answer questions about The Ridges, the Nature Center and Door County
• Responsible for supporting daily operations for visitors and members to include program registration, customer service, store sales, and other needs
• Help answer incoming phone calls

Research/Preservation

• Support land management and research staff in various projects throughout the summer such as orchid monitoring, plant surveys, and trail maintenance

HOUSING: Members should be prepared to live in communal housing with other members of the program/organization/agency. Members should expect to have roommates, and must inform staff of any housing preferences or required accommodations.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least 18 years of age
• Experience with classroom teaching highly desired
• Experience in developing and delivering environmental education and/or camp programs
• Lifeguard Certification and Experience is a plus
• Energetic and enthusiastic personality to help motivate children and collaborate with co-workers
• Excellent communication skills
• Withstand the physical demands of work which involves some lifting, carrying, bending and hiking across uneven terrain
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation
• Ability to multitask and shift schedule and priorities to meet changing conditions
• Upon hire, a criminal background check will be conducted. Service with WisCorps will be considered probationary until all results are returned and have been reviewed

WisCorps provides equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran per applicable federal, state, and local laws. We are committed to assuring equal employment opportunity and equal access to services, programs, and activities for persons with disabilities. If you have a disability, and need to access information in an alternative format, or need it translated into another language, please contact us at 608-782-2494, by email at staff@wiscorps.org or Wisconsin Relay 711.