[POSITION FILLED] eeCorps Environmental Educator (Bluff Lake Nature Center)

Program Overview: Led by the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education (CAEE), the Environmental Education Corps (eeCorps) AmeriCorps Program places AmeriCorps members at organizations throughout Colorado to focus on increasing environmental literacy for PreK-12 students and implementing the goals outlined in the Colorado Environmental Education Plan. eeCorps works directly with teachers, schools, and environmental education providers to support them in expanding reach and increasing impact of EE programming, while providing access to equitable learning experiences for all PreK-12 students. AmeriCorps members serving with the eeCorps provide direct service to improve outcomes in Environmental Stewardship and Education. AmeriCorps provides opportunities to improve lives and foster civic engagement all across the country.

Service Site Overview: This position will be located at Bluff Lake Nature Center (BLNC), which is located in Denver, Colorado. BLNC is a model urban wildlife refuge that enriches people’s lives through experiential education, environmental stewardship, community engagement, and ecosystem preservation and restoration. BLNC is committed to educational equity and making nature accessible to all.

Service Position Summary: The Environmental Educator will serve together with the Education team to design curriculum, develop programs, participate in community outreach, ensure programs are accessible, and facilitate programs. These programs include BLNC’s school field trips during the school year, their Outdoor Explorers Homeschool Program, their 10-week summer camp, and weekly family programs and partner events held year-round.

Essential Functions (Primary Responsibilities): eeCorps members engage with their Host Site organizations to develop, implement, and enhance programs, projects, and activities that will create progress towards eeCorps’ and BLNC’s goals. These duties include:

• Serve with staff to review and develop curriculum and programs
• Facilitate on-site and off-site programs, classroom programs, events, after school, summer camp and field trips
• Evaluate education programs using assessment data from students, teacher/student feedback, current best practices in pedagogy and science standards, as well as observations and first-hand teaching experience
• Provide direct service to over 7,000 field trip students between PreK and 12th grade (90% from low income schools), 400 campers between the ages of 5-17, and community families.
• Assist staff with social media content creation and marketing efforts
• Support relationships with schools and community partners
• Track progress and collect evaluation data for the program’s performance measures
• Attend all required eeCorps/AmeriCorps orientations, meetings, and trainings
• Complete and submit all necessary eeCorps paperwork and reports by predetermined deadlines
• Some local travel required and occasional statewide travel possible

Marginal Functions (Secondary Responsibilities):

• Assist in site volunteer days geared towards families and/or schools (weed removal, trash clean up, etc.)
• Assist in organization of paperwork and program supplies

Physical, Emotional, and Intellectual Demands:

• Ability to work in outdoor setting in various weather conditions for up to 9 hours
• Ability to set-up and take-down pop-up tents, tables, and chairs; load and unload materials onto shelves; pull a supply wagon distances of up to .5 miles at a time
• Commitment to equity in education
• People person willing to go out into schools and communities and engage

Qualifications:

• Passionate about Bluff Lake Nature Center’s mission
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to multi-task
• Strong communication skills with adults and children
• Knowledge of Colorado plants and animals a plus
• Team player, enthusiastic, organized, creative, critical thinker, and self-motivated
• Ethic of national and community service and a strong desire to create positive change
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; computer literate
• High school diploma or GED required, college degree preferred
• Ability to pass criminal history checks required
• Reliable transportation required
• U.S. Citizenship or lawful permanent resident status required

Term of Service: This is a three quarter-time national and community service position requiring a minimum of 1,200 hours during the term (approximately 35-40 hours/week). The position begins November 1, 2023 and ends June 30, 2024. Flexible hours are required, including occasional evening and weekend commitments.

Training and Support Provided: eeCorps members receive significant training and experience in community engagement, project implementation, leadership, diverse populations, and more. Up to 20% of total hours served may be spent in applicable approved training and professional development. Members will be supervised and supported by Chira Noce, BLNC Education Director, as well as by Erin Dreps, eeCorps Program Coordinator. The 2023-24 cohort of eeCorps members serving throughout the region will act as additional resources and support for each other.

Location and Service Conditions: This position is based at Bluff Lake Nature Center located at 11255 E. MLK Jr Blvd, Denver, CO 80238 (site) and 4760 Oakland St Suite 200, Denver, CO 80239 (office) and may involve service at other locations (indoor and/or outdoor) in the greater Denver area

Diversity and Equal Opportunity: Bluff Lake Nature Center shall not discriminate against any employee, volunteer or program participant on the bases of race, sex, color, ethnicity, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, disability, political affiliation, gender, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender identity, gender expression, marital, parental, veteran or military status, political service, or membership, participation or association with any employee organization. We provide equal employment and volunteer opportunities to all individuals based on job-related qualifications and abilities.

The Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education (CAEE) recognizes the value of diversity and inclusiveness to advance environmental education. CAEE defines diversity in its broadest sense and welcomes everyone to the field of environmental education and the Alliance, including but not limited to people of all races, ethnicities, genders, gender expressions, sexual orientations, abilities, ages, national origins, socioeconomic status, religious affiliations, languages, and heritages.

How to Apply:  If you are interested in applying to this position, please prepare the following documents and submit them via the form found at https://bit.ly/eeCorpsApply: 1) a resume, 2) a short cover letter outlining your interest in the program and commitment to national service, 3) a list of three references, and 4) a diversity and inclusion statement that is no longer than one page in length.