Environmental Educator Position (Grade 1 or Grade 2)

Job Overview and Requirements: The Environmental Educator will work closely with the Environmental Education Program Manger to develop, implement, and assess a robust, engaging K-12 outreach program in Lexington-Fayette County. Waste management, water quality (stormwater and sanitary sewers), sustainability and transportation are the focal topics for the program. The educator will be involved in direct outreach to students and will be the lead facilitator for many program-related field trips and teacher professional development. The selected applicant will have professional development opportunities, along with the ability to network with professionals throughout the service area and state of Kentucky.

The position will be based in the EQPW office in Lexington, KY. If you would like to have a significant impact and work with an amazing team, we encourage you to apply! Learn more about the work we do at LexingtonKy.gov/EE

For any questions about place, policies, and/or position, please contact Danny Woolums to schedule an informal phone conversation prior to application.

Note: Only one environmental educator is being hired at this time but can be hired as either a Grade 1 or Grade 2 position. Interested applicants must state which level they believe they qualify for and all applicants will be entered into the same pool. Please note differences in responsibilities, qualifications and pay scale for each position.

To Apply: Please send a cover letter explaining your interest and understanding of the position and resume with related experience and 3 references (a maximum of 1 personal reference) to Danny Woolums, dwoolums@lexingtonky.gov. The position will close on August 19, 2024.

Zoom interviews available upon request.

KAEE is an equal opportunity employer.  Persons of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

Environmental Educator Position (Grade 1) Description

Summary of Essential Job Functions:

• School-based Environmental Education: prepare and lead lessons as a part of the units of study in classroom setting, with a focus on elementary and middle school education; may assist Environmental Education Program Manager and Environmental Educator (Grade 2) with developing units for classroom use
• Field Trips: facilitate field trips to sites such as the Recycle Center, Haley Pike Waste Management Facility (capped landfill and compost pad), Town Branch Wastewater Treatment Plant, West Hickman Wastewater Treatment Plant, watershed sampling sites and other appropriate sites as they are identified
• OST: prepare and lead activities related to the Out of School Time program – both afterschool and summer
• Workforce Development: connect K-12 units to careers, especially careers related to city jobs; work with the Environmental Education Program Manager on career panels, career days and similar opportunities
• School & Teacher Support: assist with school events such as STEM nights; conduct school/classroom waste audits and offer guidance on addressing problems; support after school clubs related to contract objectives (e.g., Green Team, Recycle Club)
• Teacher Training: provide assistance with teacher professional development opportunities as needed
• Some evening and weekend work is required

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree OR 5 years of environmental education experience OR 3 years of environmental education experience and an environmental education certificate
• Self-directed team player who gets things done
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects concurrently
• Ability to work and effectively communicate with a wide range of people including staff (administrative and operational), teachers, community partners, students, volunteers and elected officials
• Dedication to equity in education
• Knowledge of culturally relevant teaching strategies
• Ability to work outdoors and complete physically demanding tasks
• Comfortable with standard software and programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook as well as Google Drive, Dropbox
• Ability to work some evenings, weekends and holidays to meet work objectives
• Willingness to undergo a background check
• A valid driver’s license and reliable access to a vehicle (educators are responsible for getting to/from lessons and programs); mileage is reimbursed according to the KY state mileage rate

Desired Qualifications

• Demonstrated understanding of sustainability, sanitary sewer systems, stormwater, waste management and/or transportation
• Experience teaching K-12 grades in a formal setting
• Teaching credentials, either formal or non-formal (e.g., certified Environmental Educator)
• Experience with culturally responsive pedagogy and trauma-informed teaching
• Demonstrated commitment to cultivating diversity and equity in environmental education and to enacting best practices in youth education and development
• High level of comfort riding a bicycle within an urban setting
• Bilingual, priority given to Spanish, Swahili and Arabic. Learn more about Lexington’s international population.

Environmental Educator Position (Grade 2) Description

Summary of Essential Job Functions:

• School-based Environmental Education: assist in developing educational units for classroom use; prepare and lead lessons and field trips as a part of the units of study in classroom settings; assess lessons and units at both the teacher and student level
• Field Trips: facilitate field trips to sites such as the Recycle Center, Haley Pike Waste Management Facility (capped landfill and compost pad), Town Branch Wastewater Treatment Plant, West Hickman Wastewater Treatment Plant, watershed sampling sites and other appropriate sites as they are identified 
• OST: assist with the development of the Out of School Time curriculum; prepare and lead OST activities – both afterschool and summer
• Workforce Development: connect thematic units to careers, especially careers related to city jobs; work with Environmental Program Manager on career days and similar opportunities.
• School & Teacher Support: assist with school events such as STEM nights; conduct school/classroom waste audits and offer guidance on addressing problems; support after school clubs related to contract objectives (e.g., Green Team, Recycle Club)
• Teacher Training: (co)lead the Teachers’ Environmental Academy, a week-long program aimed to equip classroom teachers with the knowledge and materials to teach about EQPW-related topics in their classrooms; recruit new TEA participants; assist with ongoing engagement of TEA alumni; conduct other PD for teachers based on program priorities
• Some evening and weekend work is required

Required Qualifications

• Teaching credentials, either formal or non-formal (e.g., certified Environmental Educator)
• Bachelor’s degree AND five years teaching experience OR a master’s degree in a related field plus three years of environmental education experience OR a PhD 
• Minimum 5 years of formal or non-formal teaching experience (in addition to any years used to meet the criteria above); must be identifiable in supplied resume
• Strong understanding of educational standards, curriculum development and assessment
• Self-directed team player who gets things done
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects concurrently
• Ability to work and effectively communicate with a wide range of people including staff (administrative and operational), teachers, community partners, students, volunteers and elected officials
• Dedication to equity in education
• Knowledge of culturally relevant teaching strategies
• Ability to work outdoors and complete physically demanding tasks
• Comfortable with standard software and programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook as well as Google Drive, Dropbox
• Ability to work some evenings, weekends and holidays to meet work objectives
• Willingness to undergo a background check
• A valid driver’s license and reliable access to a vehicle (educators are responsible for getting to/from lessons and programs); mileage is reimbursed according to the KY state mileage rate

Desired Qualifications

• Demonstrated understanding of sustainability, sanitary sewer systems, stormwater, waste management and/or transportation
• Experience teaching K-12 grades in a formal setting
• Experience with culturally responsive pedagogy and trauma-informed teaching
• Demonstrated commitment to cultivating diversity and equity in environmental education and to enacting best practices in youth education and development
• High level of comfort riding a bicycle within an urban setting
• Bilingual, priority given to Spanish, Swahili and Arabic. Learn more about Lexington’s international population.