POSITION CLOSED - Seasonal Environmental Educator

 Seasonal Environmental Educator

The Nature Museum is a regional resource for nature, science, and environmental education in Vermont and New Hampshire communities of the Connecticut River Valley. As a non-profit organization, The Nature Museum creates experiences that engage and enlighten audiences and inspire stewardship of the natural world.

Position Purpose:

• To serve as the primary environmental educator at The Bellows Falls Fish Ladder and Visitor Center, and support all other related operations and educational development.
• To successfully educate people and audiences of all ages about the natural world in various contexts, particularly in regards to the ecology, landscape, and natural history of Northern New England.
• To successfully educate people and audiences in ways that are effective, engaging, and dynamic.
• Specifically in regards to the Summer Unplugged Educational Outreach series that targets youth.
• This position can serve as an internship experience for academic credit or training purposes as long as those requirements fit reasonably within the scope and expectations of the position.

General Background:

Training and/or academic study through college-level in environmental studies or a related field. Experience as a teacher, environmental educator, and/or interpreter. Experience with teaching various age-groups, particularly preschool through elementary-age students, is strongly preferred.

Job Responsibilities: 

Perform as an environmental educator and interpreter at the Bellows Falls Fish Ladder and Visitor Center and at local libraries. Assist in teaching, developing, updating, and/or evaluating environmental education programs. Assist in updating, managing, creating, and/or evaluating exhibits and interpretive signage in coordination with the Senior Environmental Educator. The Position begins approximately Monday, May 16, 2022 and ends Friday, September 9, 2022.

Environmental educator/interpreter at the Bellows Falls Fish Ladder and Visitor Center (FLVC) in Bellows Falls, VT: Center visitation hours are 10:00AM - 4:00PM on Fridays and Saturdays from Memorial Day weekend (Friday, 05/27/22) through Labor Day weekend (Saturday, 09/03/22). Working on Fridays and Saturdays is required. On Fridays and Saturdays, work hours are typically 9:30AM - 4:30PM. The intern is responsible for learning about various aspects of the Bellows Falls Fish Ladder including, but not limited to, Visitor Center operations, the hydroelectric dam, the ecology of the Connecticut River, general ecology of Northern New England, and the natural history of Northern New England.

Learn, develop, update, and deliver environmental education programs that will occur weekly at the FLVC and at local libraries throughout the Middle Connecticut River Valley during June, July, and August. Public library program locations include Springfield, Vermont, Chester, Vermont, Walpole, New Hampshire, and Charlestown, New Hampshire. Note: Reliable personal transportation is required to travel to and from these locations. The intern will be compensated for mileage at a reimbursement rate of $0.585 per mile for approved travel to and from scheduled library programs in addition to their earned hourly pay. Work hours for teaching, teaching training, teaching preparation, and other work will vary.

Work with TNM Education Department staff in developing, producing, and installing new FLVC signage, exhibits, and activities as designated and appropriate.

Work and meetings will occur at the Fish Ladder and Visitor Center in Bellows Falls, Vermont and at The Nature Museum in Grafton, Vermont.

Requirements

Must enjoy teaching individuals, particularly children, in non-formal and informal educational settings.

Desire to work as an interpreter and environmental educator at the Bellows Falls Fish Ladder and Visitor Center.

Good communicator with colleagues, parents, students, teachers, and the general public.

Must be able to keep students/program participants engaged and positively involved.

Willingness and enthusiasm to work with the Senior Environmental Educator to learn and improve environmental education curriculum, lessons, programs, activities, and interpretation.

Flexibility with adapting programs to meet the needs of different audiences.

Must be a strong independent worker who stays on task, manages their work time efficiently, is resourceful, and is a problem solver.

Must be familiar with Google applications (Google Suite Applications: Gmail, Calendar, Drive, etc.), Zoom, Microsoft Office, and common social media platforms (Primarily Facebook and Instagram).

Able to safely stand for long periods of time.

Able to safely lift up to 40 pounds.

Able to safely walk up and down stairs while carrying items.

Able to safely walk on uneven terrain.

Must have reliable transportation.

Must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Must be able to pass a fingerprinting background check.

Preferred Requirements

Current CPR and first-aid certification by an accredited organization.

Prior experience as an educator who taught science/environmental education for youth, particularly younger children (Pre-K through elementary grades).

Supervisor: The Senior Environmental Educator.

The Senior Environmental Educator will be available as a mentor, will provide guidance, and will serve as a co-teacher and collaborator with the environmental education intern for some programs/lessons. 

Evaluation:

Will meet with the Senior Environmental Educator every two weeks to set goals, assess past programs, and to evaluate the environmental education intern’s performance. This may include observations of some programs. The goal of bi-weekly meetings is to provide constructive feedback, positive discussion of performance, and on-going discussion of intern goals. Consistent and intentional meetings help ensure that quality environmental education is being delivered to the public while also helping to foster a rich, positive, and supportive internship experience.

Compensation:

$16/hour. Approximate average of 26 hours per week. Weekly hours will vary. Approximate total of up to 416 hours of work. 

$600 housing stipend for each full month of internship (June, July, and August).

Mileage reimbursement rate of $0.585 for approved travel to and from designated environmental education programs that are off-site.

No benefits.

How to apply:

Please send a cover letter, resume, and a list of three recent professional references to Jay DeGregorio at jay@nature-museum.org. Please contact the prior email or call 802 - 843 - 2111 if you have any questions in regards to the position. The position will remain open until filled.