Education Manager

Purpose of the Position: A full-time position to manage the Escondido Creek Conservancy’s (Conservancy) environmental education initiatives and programs for children and adults in the Escondido Creek watershed region.

About Us: Located in the County of San Diego, California, The Escondido Creek Conservancy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and restoring the Escondido Creek watershed. Since 1991, the Conservancy has protected over 7,000 acres of wildlands and is working to improve creek water quality to enhance wildlife habitat. The Conservancy also supports educational programs and compatible outdoor recreation within the watershed and in the Elfin Forest Recreational Reserve—a 784-acre park featuring 11 miles of trails.

Our education department seeks to provide equitable access to environmental education and empowering experiences that foster stewardship of the Escondido Creek watershed and the wider natural world. We are a small but impactful team. Ongoing programs and initiatives include—but are not limited to—a Habitats program serving all 3rd graders in the Escondido Union School District, Trout in the Classroom, Escondido Creek Adventure Camp, Project-Based Learning projects, Elfin Forest Interpretive Center exhibits, Conservation Conversations annual lecture series, Conservation Fellows, recreational programs, a Seed the Future education fundraising campaign, and the California Statewide Outdoor Learning initiative (which advocates for statewide outdoor education funding). We are seeking an innovative educator to join our team and help elevate our work.

Duties: The Education Manager will manage education programs and endeavors, as well as provide planning, policy, organizing, strategizing, and support to the Conservancy’s education department, under the direction of the Education Director.

Responsibilities include:

• Managing all aspects of Conservancy education programs, projects, and initiatives, including, but not limited to, the following:
  • Developing and revising lesson plans, curricula, evaluations, and other resources, while ensuring compliance with state and national educational standards;
  • Communicating with teachers, schools, and school district personnel to schedule and coordinate all aspects of educational programs;
  • Assigning Conservancy education staff to school programs;
  • Updating the Education Calendar with all programs/events and staff/volunteer assignments;
  • Implementing education programs in the classroom, outdoors, and on Zoom;
  • Analyzing results of program evaluations and summarizing results in final reports;
• Tracking education department metrics and drafting annual program assessments;
• Assisting the Education Director in planning and executing the education department’s strategic blueprint, ensuring that educational goals, objectives, tasks, and outcomes are achieved in a timely manner;
• Helping train and manage education staff, interns, and volunteers;
• Working with the Education Director and the development team to secure annual funding for the education department; identifying potential funding opportunities; writing education-related grant proposals, and ensuring compliance with grants requirements, including drafting progress reports;
• Representing the Conservancy while participating in select meetings, events, and workshops relevant to environmental education; recording minutes when necessary;
• Supporting outreach and advocacy work, as needed;
• Communicating departmental needs to the Education Director;
• Staying current on pedagogy and incorporating effective models into Conservancy education programs; and
• Other duties as assigned by the Education Director.

Reporting: The Education Manager reports to the Education Director.

Logistics: Work is generally Monday-Friday, 36-hours per week, starting at 8:00 a.m., but weekend and evening work will be periodically required. The anticipated start date for this position is June 1, 2022. Our office is located in north Escondido at 27319 Mountain Meadow Road, Escondido, CA, 92026.

Qualifications & Requirements: This position is for an experienced professional with at least 3 years of relevant experience in education, environmental conservation, or another related field. Applicants should be comfortable working in both outdoor and indoor settings, including occasional work from home. A bachelor’s degree in education, conservation, or a related field is beneficial, but not required. Likewise, familiarity with national and state education standards (NGSS; CA Environmental Principles & Concepts) and inquiry-based learning concepts is extremely helpful, but can be learned on the job. The Education Manager should be a team player and a highly organized person with experience working with the public. A positive “get it done” attitude and patience working with children are essential qualities. Reliable transportation is required. Must pass a background check and must be vaccinated against COVID-19.

How to apply:

Submit your resume and a cover letter to: information@escondidocreek.org. While this position will remain open until filled, our goal is to fill the position by May 2022.

Please review the Conservancy’s website at www.escondidocreek.org before applying. No phone calls please.