Trout in the Classroom Field Educator

The New York Trout in the Classroom program happens in public and private school classrooms across the greater New York City area and New York City watershed. Public and private schools in urban and suburban areas participate. The program happens in the classroom for most of the year with many classes able to take one or more educational field trips to a community stream.

The TIC Field Educator coordinates field education and program activities directly with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection’s (NYC DEP) Trout in the Classroom Coordinator. The TIC Coordinator is a full-time position located in New York City. The TIC Field Educator also manages relationships between regional Trout Unlimited chapters and on-going volunteer opportunities within the program.

The TIC Field Educator position spans an eight-month period November 2022 through June 2023, with the Educator working up to 20 hours weekly. The position requires a significant amount of time hosting school groups in the New York City watershed and providing hands-on environmental education lessons in conjunction with each school’s trout release activity. The Field Educator will also be charged with setting up environmental education activities for other organized youth groups such as Scouts, Boys and Girls Clubs, 4H, and afterschool clubs. All other work will be done remotely. TU will provide a computer, small office allowance, and reimbursement for mileage and work-related travel.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• In conjunction with the NYCDEP TIC Coordinator, establish a calendar for TIC schools’ trout release days at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation and similar sites
• Act as a liaison to Ward Pound Ridge Reservation staff and manage required permits and fees for day use activities
• Act as a liaison to New York City TU, Croton Watershed TU, and other regional TU chapters to establish on-going volunteer opportunities in the TIC program and co-manage a volunteer schedule with the NYCDEP TIC Coordinator
• Work closely with the NYCDEP TIC Coordinator to select, develop, and adapt impactful field activities and lessons for the TIC trout release field days and participating schools
• Act as liaison to program partners such as the Watershed Agricultural Council and the Trailside Museum in the NYC watershed region who provide content and educational activities during TIC trout release field days
• Photograph TIC trout release field days and write short articles for www.tu.org and NYC DEP
• Establish relations with other youth groups in the NYC watershed region and coordinate weekend watershed education opportunities at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation and other sites
• As needed, accompany the NYCDEP TIC Coordinator on classroom visits in New York City schools; act as a co-presenter for content during classroom visits
• In conjunction with the NYCDEP TIC Coordinator, plan, schedule, and manage a weekend Trout Festival event at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation for TIC families and teachers
• Assist the NYCDEP Coordinator with planning a fall and spring Professional Learning Opportunity for TIC teachers
• Assist with recruitment of new TIC schools in the East and West of Hudson watershed areas
• Support TU and DEP staff by gathering and compiling school data for reporting purposes
• Support TU and DEP staff with teacher correspondence and resource development as needed

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in environmental education, science education, natural resources, wildlife biology, or related field
• Experience or demonstrated ability with development of youth education programs
• Experience or demonstrated ability with the delivery of youth education field activities and lessons
• Ability to recruit, train, and manage volunteers
• Experience in managing partnership programs or projects (e.g., relationships with agencies, nonprofits, etc.)
• Background knowledge of watershed and fishery issues and dedication to conservation
• Experience coordinating special events for community engagement
• Strong communications, interpersonal, and organizational skills
• Ability to work weekend and evening hours when needed
• Proficient in Microsoft Office 365
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Comfortable with public speaking and ability to create effective presentations
• Ability to engage in physical activities such as angling, hiking, and wading rivers
• Valid driver’s license and a dependable, insured automobile
• Ability to lift and carry objects weighing up to 30 pounds.
• Candidates must pass a background check

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY

At TU, we value a diverse representation of staff, and we actively seek candidates for this position who come from communities that have been historically under-represented in conservation and those who have been most impacted by degraded rivers and streams. We are committed to building space for all people to participate in our work to care for trout and salmon and clean our shared waters. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and welcome you to read more about TU’s equity practice and values at https://www.tu.org/equity/
 

How to apply:

Go to the Trout Unlimited Careers webpage to find out more and to apply.