Urban Ecology Educator (Part-time, Seasonal) – Spring 2023

Gowanus Canal Conservancy (GCC) is a community-based non-profit organization that serves as an environmental steward for the Gowanus Canal watershed. The Urban Ecology Educator (Part-time, Seasonal) will support Gowanus Canal Conservancy’s (GCC) in-person Urban Ecology program in Spring 2023. Serving as the lead instructor for elementary school groups, the Part-time Urban Ecology Educator is supported by the GCC Education Program Manager to carry out their role. This is an in-person role with some duties having a remote option.

Responsibilities
Training & Teaching (in-person)

• Assist and lead instruction for 75 – 90 minute outdoor field trips at Lowlands Nursery
• Setup, breakdown, and maintain materials for field trips
• Assist in evaluating student outcomes from field trips
• Assist with and help plan a professional development workshop for middle and/or high school teachers, focused on Atlantic Ribbed mussels, water quality testing, and Gowanus water quality issues

Planning and Lesson Development (In-person and with remote options)

• Plan lessons and materials using and building on already developed curriculum and materials as needed

Administration & Coordination (In-person and with remote options)

• Coordination & mentorship of interns/volunteers
• Communication with teachers participating in field trips
• Data entry
• Participation in regular meetings with Education Program Manager to plan and review program lessons and materials
• Participate in end of season evaluation meeting to discuss program outcomes
• Coordinate and assist with partner school visits to Lowlands Nursery for habitat monitoring

Physical Requirements

• Requires communicating information with co-workers, students, teachers; reading correspondence and/or instructions; writing correspondence and/or reports and curriculum and filling in forms.
• Requires ability to be on your feet for long periods of time while outdoors.
• Requires some moving/lifting of light to moderate weight materials.

Qualifications
Required:

• Strong professional background and experience in urban ecology and/or environmental science
• Experience teaching students in outdoor field work settings
• Collaborative, creative, generative, efficient team player who is able to meet deadlines
• Passion for cultivating environmental stewardship among youth
• Strong communicator
• Basic computer skills (email, data entry)

Preferred:

• Experience teaching K-5 elementary school students preferred, though an understanding of developmentally appropriate, engaging activities is more important
• Experience developing environmental curriculum and embedded assessments for elementary school students
• Knowledge of the Gowanus Canal and/or other NYC waterways
• Marine Ecology knowledge/experience

Technology Requirements
The Educator will need access to a working laptop or desktop computer and a reliable internet connection if they wish to utilize remote work options. GCC will make a desktop workspace available at our office, 248 3rd Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11215 for administrative work.

Compensation
This is a seasonal, part-time position paying $25 per hour for an average of 12-15 hours of work per week. This position starts March 13 and ends June 23, 2023.

Schedule
March 14, 16, 17 (optional), 21, 23, 28, 30:

• Half day orientation and training, in-person at 248 3rd street

April 4 – June 15th:

• In-person Field Trips, 9:00 am -1:30 pm Tuesdays and Thursdays at Lowlands Nursery
• Lead and assist a small group of high school students with weekly mussel habitat monitoring at Lowlands Nursery on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday after school (tentative)
• Administrative duties, 4 additional hours in-person or remote option, flexible scheduling M-F during regular business hours.

June 20th – 22th:

• Program evaluation meeting (remote option available)

All administrative work (approximately 4 hours/week) can take place remotely and with flexible hours or at the GCC office.

Vaccination Policy
In keeping with New York City guidance and protocols, we are requiring all staff, volunteers, and interns to show proof of vaccination. “Proof of vaccination” means one of the following documents demonstrating that an individual has (1) been fully vaccinated against COVID-19; (2) received one dose of a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine; or (3) received the first dose of a two- dose COVID-19 vaccine, provided that a worker providing proof of only such first dose provides proof of receiving the second dose of that vaccine within 45 days after receiving the first dose.

To apply

Send your resume or CV, cover letter, and schedule of week day availability to education[at]gowanuscanalconservancy.org by February 10, 2023.

Optional: you may include optional materials to support your application, such as related lesson plans or curriculum. Selected candidates will be contacted for a video interview conducted on Zoom. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis.