Put your boots on and explore alongside students as they chase butterflies, catch frogs, and learn about the past through hands-on environmental education programs.
Job Summary: Join a team of creative, passionate professionals who work together to connect children with nature through educational, recreational and cultural experiences. CNC is in search of Educators with a passion for sharing the natural world in relevant, engaging ways with students in preschool through high school. Educators work as a team with other program staff delivering high quality, curriculum-aligned natural and cultural history programs. Educators work a fixed schedule from 2-4 days a week during spring and fall with optional on-call hours in winter and summer.
Objective: To provide high quality natural and cultural history programs to students during field trips and visits to schools.
Duties & Responsibilities:
• Lead school programs focusing on natural and/or cultural history topics for PreK-12 audiences
• Prepare for programs including gathering and setting up all necessary materials
• Maintain supplies and equipment
• Attend training sessions and staff meetings
• Support the safety of self, team, and visitors within training level
• Work a minimum of 2 days/week, 9 am-3 pm (4 days max) for the Fall and Spring seasons
• Assist with some weekend or evening programs throughout the year (optional)
• Other duties as assigned
Required Qualifications:
• Experience in teaching, environmental education, interpretation, outdoor recreation or related field
• Experience working with children in a group setting
• Ability to communicate with visitors of all ages
• Knowledge of basic interpretive/teaching techniques
• Knowledge of basic natural and/or cultural history
• Ability to meet the physical demands of the position (i.e., hike over rugged terrain and lift 50 pounds)
Prefered Qualifications:
• Certification in Project Wet, Project Wild and similar programs is encouraged
• Bachelor’s degree in environmental education, interpretation, outdoor recreation, public history, education, or related field.
Status: Variable hour employee
Schedule: 14-28 hours/week for approximately 26 weeks; optional on-call during off-season hours; Fall season is September – December; Spring season is late Feb – May
Start Date: September 9, 2024
Compensation & Benefits: Starting at $14/hour; CNC membership, 20% discount in Nature Center Store
Overview: CNC is a nonprofit, environmental education organization. Its mission is to connect all people to nature through educational, recreational and cultural experiences. The 1,200-acre property includes woodlands, fields, ponds and rivers. CNC’s facilities consist of a Visitor Center with Ecosystem Gallery, classrooms and Nature Center store; an 1870s Homestead Farm complex; Nature Preschool; an arboretum and over 19 miles of nature trails. See www.chippewanaturecenter.org for more information.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Chippewa Nature Center is committed to creating a workplace and visitor experience where all people feel valued for their unique attributes, characteristics, and perspectives. Staff, volunteers, program participants, visitors, and all those who engage with the nature center are invited to fully connect with CNC regardless of their race, color, age, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, ability, marital status, political affiliation, or parental status. Through ongoing learning, training, and listening, CNC strives to welcome all people.
Equal Opportunity Employment: CNC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against employees or job applicants on the basis of race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, height, weight, handicap or disability, veteran status or any other status or condition protected by applicable state or federal laws.
