Teacher Naturalist

New Pond Farm is a nonprofit environmental education center, with a working farm, located in Redding, CT. Our 102-acre sanctuary, with its woodlands, wetlands, meadows and pastures, provides exciting outdoor classrooms for students of all ages. Our five prongs of programming include: the environment, agriculture, science, local history, and the arts.

We are looking for a full-time Environmental Educator. This position is 40 hours/week. Work weeks will run Sundays - Thursdays, 9am-5pm. There will be occasional evening programs and seasonal special events that you will be expected to attend. If they take place on your days off, you will be given compensatory time off. The position requires a significant amount of outdoor activity, including hiking on our hillside trails and transporting supplies to teaching sites.   Benefits package includes medical insurance, simple IRA, and paid vacations-based on length of employment. The compensation range starts at $50,000, and depends on experience.

Responsibilities include, but may not be limited, to the following:
- Teaching programs to school groups, scout troops, birthday parties, and the public
- Working with the Program Director, to develop and teach after-school programs and multi-day “camps” on school holidays, and being an integral part of our summer camp program

- Working with our Program Director to develop new programs for schools and the public

- Helping to care for our program animals
- Bringing live animals to local schools and organizations
- Representing the organization at public events
- Preparing materials, supplies, and set up for education programs 

- Performing various administrative duties as assigned by the Program Director
 

Qualifications:
- A Bachelor’s degree, preferably in biology, environmental education, natural history interpretation, or a related field
- A minimum 2 years of combined prior work experience in a related field

-Excellent communication skills and a professional demeanor 

-Strong organizational skills

- Previous experience handling program animals (reptiles, amphibians, small mammals, birds of prey)
- Ability to work independently, promptly, and with attention to detail
- Enthusiasm for interacting with students of all ages, teaching them about the natural world
- Comfort in speaking publicly to large and small groups
- A strong knowledge of the area’s natural history
- Proficient in computer and technology skills
- A driver’s license and clean driving record,
- Current First Aid/CPR certification or willingness to obtain it
- An updated COVID vaccinations 

Application deadline is March 24, 2023. 

Please email a cover letter, resume, and contact information for two references to Ann Taylor, Executive Director: ann@newpondfarm.org.

Additional materials and recommendations may be requested during the interview process. Position contingent on completion of successful background check