Environmental Educator

Minglewood Farm and Nature Preserve (Westfield, North Carolina) is excited to announce we are hiring an Environmental Educator. Do you love the outdoors and have passion for environmental education? Then you may be a great fit for the Minglewood Farm and Nature Preserve team!

Position Description:

The Environmental Educator will work collaboratively with the Minglewood Farm and Nature Preserve Executive Director to support our educational mission.

MFNP seeks a creative, passionate, organized and self-motivated individual with an interest in nature to help increase Minglewood’s reach, deepen the impact, and enhance the programs supporting our mission. This new position will support our in-classroom and outdoor environmental education programs, build awareness of Minglewood in local and surrounding communities, and strengthen our social media presence.  Responsibilities include: direct facilitation of formal and informal educational programs to groups of all ages, marketing and outreach efforts, program development, and light-administrative duties. The Environmental Educator will report to and work closely with the Minglewood Founders.  

About Minglewood: 

Our Mission
The Mission of Minglewood Farm and Nature Preserve is to connect students of all ages to the natural world and inspire a sense of environmental stewardship through place-based learning in the Piedmont and Foothills of North Carolina. 

Our Vision
By focusing on education and hands-on learning, we will cultivate lifelong environmental engagement with a focus on balancing nature's systems and human needs for future generations.

What We Do
Minglewood Farm and Nature Preserve is a 65-acre outdoor experiential learning center and  sustainable farm. There are 8+ acres in production and the remainder is forest and meadow. Since 2014, MFNP has engaged students in the classroom and on the Preserve.  Minglewood has strong relationships with public, independent and home school educators, with an emphasis on K-5th grade. In addition to school groups, Minglewood offers a variety of  workshops, classes, and events designed to engage the community in nature-related experiences. 

Job Responsibilities:

• Assist with all aspects of environmental education programs including: hands-on outdoor programming in line with NC K-12 Standard Course of Study, ensuring high-quality educational programming for participants. 
• Participate in program delivery including: school field trips, summer camps, workshops and special events/programs.
• Create new programming opportunities for school groups, public programming, and outreach. This includes upgrading, creating, and maintaining program materials.
• Assist with social media content creation, marketing and outreach. This includes creating videos, updating the website, and regularly posting educational content for our followers. 
• Participate in off-site educational programming in schools and at events.
• During special events such as fundraisers, Sunday Suppers, and community outreach events, additional hours will be required. This may include occasional weekends and evenings.
• Light administrative duties: copy editing, program coordination, record keeping, communication with stakeholders, and data collection. 

Other Responsibilities: 

• Promote an atmosphere of hard work, inclusiveness, learning and fun every day
• May occasionally assist with maintaining garden areas including prepping, planting, and harvesting crops
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

EXPERIENCE
● Minimum three years experience preparing and presenting environmental education programs.  
● Associate degree or equivalent education and experience required.
● Basic understanding of biology, ecology, geology, environmental education, outdoor education, natural history or related fields.

PREFERRED
● Bachelor's degree in environmental science, biology, ecology, sustainable agriculture or related fields.
● Experience working with students in a farming or outdoor environment strongly preferred
● Experience as an educator, program staff, naturalist or related position at a residential outdoor education center, nature center, or similar facility preferred.

SKILLS & ABILITIES  
The ideal candidate will be:

• Self-motivated
• Passionate about environmental education
• Dedicated to providing an outstanding customer experience
• Detail oriented
• Highly organized
• Creative

● Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills, excellent interpersonal and communication abilities, and the ability to deal effectively with the public.
● Ability to tailor activities to various age groups
● Experience working with and teaching children in an outdoor setting. 
● Demonstrated enthusiasm for the outdoors and outdoor education, even when conditions are challenging
● Strong public speaking skills; ability to present in a confident, engaging manner that draws in the audience.
● Ability to adapt teaching style and content to meet the diverse needs of students.
● Work closely with the Executive Director to maintain and enhance relationships with local partner schools.
● Organizational skills and ability to follow through with assigned tasks.
● Ability to make both independent and collaborative decisions required
● Creativity, flexibility and enthusiasm necessary with a sincere interest in the natural environment or education desired.
● Familiarity with Google Suite

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently required to stand, sit, walk, reach with hands and arms, talk and hear. 

To perform the essential functions of the position, the following applies: excellent physical condition with capability to moderately hike, run and climb, tolerance for variable weather conditions, ability to work in an outdoor setting and able to lift up to 50 lbs.

Position Details:
• 30-40 hours per week, seasonally dependent
• Salary $18-$20 per hour, depending on experience 
• Combination of remote and on-site work. 
• Some local travel required with occasional off-site lessons
• Must have flexibility to work outside traditional business hours. 

How to apply:

Please send your resume and a cover letter stating why you would be a good fit for this position to Margie Imus, Executive Director at margie@minglewoodpreserve.org

238 Minglewood Rd. Westfield, NC 27053