Nature-Based Educator - Outreach Lead

POSITION PURPOSE

Under the supervision of the Education & Outreach Director, the Nature-Based Educator & Outreach Lead serves as a member of the education and outreach team leading educational programs and focusing on social media and outreach events. The Nature-Based Educator & Outreach Lead also provides ambassador care and enrichment, engages with education volunteers and interns, supports organizational fundraising efforts and performs all other duties as needed.

I. ESSENTIAL POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES - Priority Weight Assigned

A. Education & Outreach Tours, Presentations and Special Events - 55%

1. Responsible for presenting 4-5 public programs per week - both on and offsite.
2. Research and remain current on wildlife natural history, ecology, management practices, and CFW statistics relevant to programming
3. Lead or assist with educational elements of major events and partnerships throughout the year.
4. Assist in tracking education programs for reporting and permitting
5. Front desk duties: including welcoming visitors, answering phones and taking admission fees
6. Intern/Volunteer Management: help coordinate prioritized tasks as well as ambassador care & enrichment.
7. Facility Duties - keep all educational areas clean and ready for visitors and programs
8. Assist with Ambassador Adoptions and Membership promotions; ie: understanding offerings and benefits and sharing at presentations and events

B.  Education and Outreach Promotion & Administration - 20%

1. Manage booking, calendar and communications for certain programming
2. Create content and coordinate marketing for public programs and events
3. Contribute to newsletter and education website updates as requested
4. Coordinate, research, and provide creative display and material projects and ideas
5. Keep nature center, front desk, educational totes and displays clean, neat, organized, inventoried, and stocked.

C. Ambassador Animal Care & Enrichment - 20%

1. Work with Nature Center Lead to keep ambassador enclosures and travel boxes clean and safe
2. Notifies Clinic of any observations of animal ambassadors or changes in enclosures or travel boxes
3. Train with Senior Staff on handling of appropriate animal ambassadors
4. Assist with maintaining safe ambassador weights
5. Assist with necessary facilities and habitat improvements for animal ambassadors
6. Collaborate with and supervise interns and volunteers as advised
7. Lead public workdays to carry out “deep-cleaning”, repair, and enrichment projects
8. Tracks and reports to Clinic on ambassador working schedules and conditions as advised

D. Organization-Wide Support, Duties, and Expectations: - 5%

1. Provide support for fundraising activities (e.g. annual giving, endowment, major gifts, legacy gifts, capital campaigns, grants, special projects, events, and solicitations) as required
2. Assist in conducting research and create strategies to identify, prioritize, cultivate, solicit and recognize new donors and prospects
3. Strengthen CFW’s current funding sources
4. Work with other areas to coordinate workflow and activities to insure a seamless operation
5. Ensure completeness, accuracy, and timeliness of all operation functions
6. Operate as part of the CFW team, including supporting and fostering a positive work culture
7. Maintain dignity and self-control in difficult situations
8. Remain up to date with organizational policies, protocols, messaging, and handbook
9. Maintain a growth mindset, critical thinking and problem solving processes with coworkers
10. Recommend initiatives and changes to improve quality and services for CFW and areas of responsibility
11. Prepare progress reports, inform supervisor of project status and deviation from goals
12. Establish rapport with diverse range of staff, interns, volunteers, and constituents
13. All other duties as assigned

II. QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

III. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

1. Specific knowledge of New England Wildlife - range, diets, habitats, current challenges, ecology, research, and management practices

2. Ability to incorporate stories, statistics, current wildlife challenges, etc. in spoken and written word

3. Ability to effectively and professionally present engaging information and respond to questions from staff, the general public, and program participants

4. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions

5. General knowledge of animal husbandry and medicine

6. Ability to work independently

7. Highly organized and proficient in time management

8. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships in a diverse, multicultural environment

9. Proficient (or willing to learn): Google Suite, Constant Contact, Canva, Joomla, Adobe, Altru (Blackbaud)  

10. Understanding of environmental education pedagogy, along with state and federal curriculum standard

11. Able to work on feet for 8-10 hours, lift up to 30 pounds, and safely restrain large raptors and mammals

12.  Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

IV. EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

1. BA / MS from a four-year college or university and a minimum of 2 years experience in conservation medicine / education or related field required.
2. Degree in Wildlife Ecology/Biology, Environmental Conservation, or a related field of expertise preferred.
3. Combination of education and experience required performing the duties of the assigned position.
4. At least 1 year of previous Outreach/Marketing experience (esp using social media channels).

V. COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

A. Employee is eligible for all professional staff benefits including:

1. Observation of 11 paid holidays

2. Accrued PTO

3. 65% contribution to Health Insurance Plan 

4. IRA with 3% salary match

5. Travel Reimbursement

6. Annual Workshop/Conference Stipend

B. Compensation:

1. Hourly pay, not to exceed 40 hours per week. One weekend day is required. Occasional evening events may be required as well.

2. Annual performance reviews are performed by the Education & Outreach Director  and the Executive Director, and merit-based raises may be eligible depending on annual budget and position’s ability to successfully meet or exceed education budget.