[POSITION FILLED] eeCorps Environmental Educator (Denver Audubon)

Program Overview: Led by the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education (CAEE), the Environmental Education Corps (eeCorps) AmeriCorps Program places AmeriCorps members at organizations throughout Colorado to focus on increasing environmental literacy for PreK-12 students and implementing the goals outlined in the Colorado Environmental Education Plan. eeCorps works directly with teachers, schools, and environmental education providers to support them in expanding reach and increasing impact of EE programming, while providing access to equitable learning experiences for all PreK-12 students. AmeriCorps members serving with the eeCorps provide direct service to improve outcomes in Environmental Stewardship and Education. AmeriCorps provides opportunities to improve lives and foster civic engagement all across the country.

Service Site Overview: This position will be located at Denver Audubon, which is located in Littleton, CO. Denver Audubon’s mission is inspiring actions that protect birds, other wildlife, and their habitats through education, conservation, and research. We connect people to nature with programs in schools, local parks, libraries, and in partnership with other organizations.

Service Position Summary: The Environmental Educator will serve collaboratively on our education programs as part of a team of talented and experienced staff and volunteers. This is an opportunity to learn and gain experience in teaching informal natural science and conservation education programs.

Essential Functions (Primary Responsibilities):

eeCorps members engage with their Host Site organizations to develop, implement, and enhance programs, projects, and activities that will create progress towards eeCorps’ and Denver Audubon’s goals. These duties include:

• Instruct hands-on, creative, natural science classes for groups.
• Collaborate with education team to develop, enhance, and implement curricula or programs.
• Assist with hands-on, creative, natural science classes for schools.
• Teach 1-2 days per week during the spring season of Denver Audubon’s field trips.
• Assist in set-up and cleanup of classrooms/center and other areas for programs.
• Skillfully and enthusiastically instruct one of the three Bird Banding stations each day.
• Participate in and learn to lead the introduction and conclusion of programs.
• Encourage stewardship through enthusiasm, knowledge, and passion for birds, other wildlife, and habitats.
• Track progress and collect evaluation data for the program’s performance measures
• Attend all required eeCorps/AmeriCorps orientations, meetings, and trainings
• Complete and submit all necessary eeCorps paperwork and reports by predetermined deadlines
• Some local travel required and occasional statewide travel possible

Physical, Emotional, and Intellectual Demands:

• Able to serve outside in all weather conditions for up to 3-4 hours at a time
• Able to lift and carry 30-40 lbs (load materials into vehicles, transport materials at event locations including sometimes on narrow trails and difficult terrain)
• Able to drive to multiple places in the metro during a day to teach and or gather supplies/materials
• Must be responsible for maintenance of kits and teaching materials as well as communicating replacement needs if supplies get broken/lost
• Willingness to problem solve logistics and safety in the moment while leading classes of students if weather or schedule changes
• Ability to assertively & kindly communicate logistics/needs with older adults, teachers, and parents
• Willingness to serve in both public and private classrooms all over the metro as well as at our nature center and/or other locations.
• Speak knowledgably, firmly, and kindly with children of all backgrounds.
• Able to learn multiple curricula and cover basic curriculum objectives during programs
• Ability to teach curricula through your own lens.
• Ability to keep service tasks/actions organized
• Ability to serve independently a lot of the time
• Ability to serve both remotely and in the office as needed (and adhere to AmeriCorps reporting/communication requirements for remote service)

Qualifications:

• Spanish speakers are encouraged to apply
• Strong communication skills with adults and children
• Ability to work weekday mornings and/or early afternoons
• Team player, fun, outgoing, passionate, organized, creative, resourceful, critical thinker, results-oriented, and self-motivated
• Experience with or strong interest in teaching environmental education in informal settings (nature centers, camps, zoos, museums etc.)
• Accountable and communicative
• Passionate about Denver Audubon’s mission
• Ethic of national and community service and a strong desire to create positive change
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; computer literate
• High school diploma or GED required
• Ability to pass criminal history checks required
• Reliable transportation and proof of auto insurance required
• U.S. Citizenship or lawful permanent resident status required

Term of Service: This is a half-time national and community service position requiring a minimum of 900 hours during the year (approximately 35-40 hours/week).

• The position begins February 16, 2024 and ends August 15, 2024.
• Flexible hours are required, including occasional evening and weekend commitments. 
• Strongly encouraged to attend as many weekend naturalists training classes as possible to learn about the ecology of the Front Range. The classes are held 1x per month on a Saturday. A schedule of the courses/dates/times will be given.

Training and Support Provided: eeCorps members receive significant training and experience in community engagement, project implementation, leadership, diverse populations, and more. Up to 20% of total hours served may be spent in applicable approved training and professional development. Members will be supervised and supported by Denver Audubon's School Programs Manager, as well as by Erin Dreps, eeCorps Program Coordinator. The 2023-24 cohort of eeCorps members serving throughout the region will act as additional resources and support for each other.

Location and Service Conditions: Position will be based at 9308 S. Wadsworth Blvd., Littleton, CO 80128 (office) and 11280 Waterton Rd., Littleton, CO 80125 (nature center), and service will be performed at schools and other partner locations in and around Jefferson, Douglas, Denver, and Arapahoe counties.

Diversity and Equal Opportunity: Denver Audubon is dedicated to the principles of equal employment opportunity. We prohibit unlawful discrimination against applicants based on age 40 and over, race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and length, protective hairstyles), sex, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable state or local law. We provide equal employment and volunteer opportunities to all individuals based on relevant qualifications and abilities.

The Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education (CAEE) recognizes the value of diversity and inclusiveness to advance environmental education. CAEE defines diversity in its broadest sense and welcomes everyone to the field of environmental education and the Alliance, including but not limited to people of all races, ethnicities, genders, gender expressions, sexual orientations, abilities, ages, national origins, socioeconomic status, religious affiliations, languages, and heritages.

How to Apply:  If you are interested in applying to this position, please prepare the following documents and submit them via the form found at https://bit.ly/eeCorpsApply: 1) a resume, 2) a short cover letter outlining your interest in the program and commitment to national service, 3) a list of three references, and 4) a diversity and inclusion statement that is no longer than one page in length.