Environmental Educator - Volunteer/Internship

This is a unique opportunity to manage and lead the environmental education and community out-reach programs for a small but mighty non-profit that provides field trip and environmental education opportunities to community residents and visitors.

Gray Hawk Nature Center is located along the San Pedro River and is surrounded by the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area. The San Pedro is the last major free-flowing river remaining in Arizona and supports the most extensive cottonwood-willow forest in the Southwest. This type of habitat is one of the most biologically productive and one of the most threatened in the US and offers some of the best bird-watching in the country!

The mission of GHNC is turning people on to the wonders of the natural world. We encourage kids to get as muddy as possible, dump crayfish into their hands and teach them how to safely navigate encounters with snakes, all while inspiring awe and appreciation for the natural world.  Many teachers have been bringing students for their entire teaching careers. They consider their trips to GHNC the highlight of the year!  

Because reptiles and amphibians are the least understood and undeniably the most persecuted of the Southwest’s wildlife, we include a reptile presentation with most field trips.   We maintain a captive collection of native reptiles including several species of rattlesnakes and a Gila Monster. We teach people how to safely coexist with all reptiles.  

Gray Hawk Nature Center is also a mini working ranch with chickens (for eggs and meat), 2 horses,  rodents that feed the reptiles, and lots of wildlife. There are also fenced garden plots on the property where you can grow your own food if desired! 

The ideal applicant/applicants should be energetic, enthusiastic, hardworking and able to carefully and follow instructions.   Responsibilities include: scheduling, planning and leading field trips, community outreach, applying for and managing grants, maintaining the website and social media accounts, publishing an electronic newsletter, and general property maintenance. 

A degree in environmental education, biology, ecology, wildlife conservation, or similar field of study is preferred, but not required.  Passion, enthusiasm and willingness to learn IS a necessity!