School Programs Coordinator

WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT.  Working at Severson Dells Nature Center is an opportunity to be a part of an innovative, agile and forward thinking team that thrives on collaboration, both internally and externally. The staff are a passionate, knowledgeable group that are dedicated to the organizational mission. Severson Dells is a storied organization with deep roots in the Northern Illinois community, serving residents since 1976. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Direct Teaching- coordinate  and lead school field trips, in-school, and afterschool programs. Develop, implement, and evaluate educational curriculum and lesson plans for school groups, preK-12 community groups, camps, using current informal education best practices.
• Supervisory Responsibilities- with support from the Education Programs Manager, the School Programs Coordinator will supervise and train up to 3 AmeriCorps members and School Field Trip volunteers. 
• Collaborates with the Community Engagement Coordinator to provide high quality, accurate content for publications and social media
• Maintains program/activity materials ready to use and in good working order.
• Collaborate with with Education Programs Manager to help develop and manage the school programs budget
• Assists, as needed, with preparing and hosting special events, including donor cultivation events.
• Assists in providing accurate natural history information for visitors.
• Assists with planning and carrying out volunteer appreciation, training, and recruitment activities.
• Understands and adheres to all risk management and safety programs and procedures.
• Assists other staff members as needed.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions unless undue hardship and/or a direct threat to the health and/or safety of the individual or others would result.

• Excellent writing, editing and verbal communication skills
• Comfortable with public speaking to groups of all sizes and demographics
• Project management skills: ability to multitask, problem-solve, and prioritize
• Strong customer focus in all tasks and activities
• A minimum of three years teaching experience
• Experience developing informal science programs and curriculum.
• Strong pedagogical foundations in informal science learning environments
• Experience supporting the development of diverse and inclusive environments, and demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility
• Relationship-builder with demonstrated highly collaborative work style who can effectively work with all constituent groups including staff, volunteers, visitors, and teachers
• Strong organizational skills, ability to prioritize and work under pressure
• Ability to easily adapt to change
•  Ability to maintain regular attendance and punctuality
• Adheres to all risk management and safety programs
• Must successfully obtain and maintain CPR and basic first aid certification
• May be required to work some evenings and weekends to accommodate programming needs
• Experience with: 
  • Microsoft and Google Suites 
  • CRM Systems
  • Willingness to learn new applications and identify innovative ways for technology to support organizational objectives.
• A valid Driver’s License and reliable transportation are required (mileage reimbursed at the IRS rate). 

PREFERRED SKILLS and EXPERIENCE

• Strong knowledge of Midwest environments, flora, fauna and natural history, plus related environmental issues  
• Two years experience scheduling, planning and supervising environmental education programs and activities is desirable
• Experience working with ISBE State Education Standards
• Bilingual in Spanish
• Experience with Canva and/or Adobe Creative Suite

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE 

• Bachelor’s degree required, Master's degree desirable in environmental/science education or biological/environmental sciences
• Minimum three years of teaching experience

PHYSICAL DEMANDS. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job .

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, stand, sit, talk or hear.  The employee is frequently required to use hands to handle, feel or operate objects such as a computer or controls, and includes repetitive motions of the wrists, hands and/or fingers; and is required to reach with hands and arms.  The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel or crouch.  Sufficient vision, hearing and stamina to perform the above functions is required. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds occasionally and 10 pounds frequently.

WORK ENVIRONMENT.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee works in an office environment, but is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions.  The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet while in the office or moderately noisy when in the field.

TO APPLY: Please submit a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to Ann Wasser ann@seversondells.org with the email subject: School Programs Coordinator.  Initial resume review will begin Thursday, March 28, 2024.