Environmental Educator

The White Memorial Conservation Center is a private, non-profit nature center and museum that provides year-round education programs for children and adults. The Center is nestled in the heart of The White Memorial Foundation’s 4,000-acre nature sanctuary in the northwestern hills of Connecticut. Visit whitememorialcc.org for more information. White Memorial is seeking a full-time, permanent Environmental Educator. Position is 37.5 hours/week, Tuesdays-Saturdays, 9am-5pm, but those hours can vary considerably based on the education program schedule. Evening hours will regularly be necessary. The position requires a significant amount of outdoor activity, hiking in varied terrain, driving in all seasons, superior presentation skills, and an enthusiasm for working with the public. 

Responsibilities include, but may not be limited, to the following:
- Teaching nature programs to school groups, scout troops, birthday parties, and the general public, both on and offsite
- Facilitating after-school programs and multi-day “camps” on school holidays and breaks 
- Traveling with native live animals to locations across the state and presenting outreach programs
- Running exhibition booths at public festivals and other gatherings
- Developing and presenting onsite public programming for families on Saturdays
- Handling and occasionally providing husbandry for a small collection of education animals
- Preparing materials and supplies/props for education programs
- Contributing to social media accounts and implementing marketing campaigns related to programming
- Modifying and developing new lesson plans for after-school, vacation, and school programming
- Contributing to the daily operations of the Nature Museum and Gift Shop when necessary
- Being trained on the Salesforce Customer Relations Management platform
- Working as a team member with the Center staff to not only maintain, but expand the reach of the Conservation Center
- Performing various administrative duties as assigned by the Education Director

Qualifications:
- A Bachelor’s degree, preferably in biology, environmental education, natural history interpretation, or a related field
- A minimum 1-2 years of combined prior work experience in a related field
- Previous experience handling reptiles and birds of prey during education programs is strongly preferred
- Willingness to work independently and on a varied schedule
- Enthusiasm for interacting with the public, especially children, and teaching them about the natural world
- Comfort in speaking publicly and managing small and large groups, both indoors and outdoors
- A fairly strong knowledge of the area’s natural history
- Proficient in computer and technology skills and associated applications
- Excellent organizational skills, punctuality, and attention to detail 
- A driver’s license, clean driving record, and the ability to obtain an endorsement to drive a 15-passenger van
- A reliable personal vehicle for outreaches when work vehicles are not available (mileage will be reimbursed)
- Current First Aid/CPR certification or willingness to obtain it
- An updated COVID vaccination 

Application deadline is February 15, 2023. Please email a cover letter, resume, and completed application to Carrie Szwed, Education Director, at carrie@whitememorialcc.org. Additional materials may be requested during the interview process. Aiming for start date between March 1 and 15.