Founded in 1983, the Randall Davey Audubon Center and Sanctuary (RDAC) is a non-profit education center and wildlife sanctuary and the New Mexico State Office of the National Audubon Society. Located on the far eastside of Santa Fe, New Mexico, RDAC encompasses 135 acres of striking landscapes and wildlife. Bounded by thousands of acres of National Forest and Santa Fe River Watershed land, the Center provides a peaceful sanctuary for plants, animals and our visitors. Ranging from common to rare, approximately 200 species of birds have been found in or over the various ecosystems of this sanctuary.
The purpose of the Education Specialist will be to coordinate the development and implementation of school and youth based programs conducted by Audubon New Mexico and the Randall Davey Audubon Center (RDAC). The Education Specialist will report directly by the Director of Community Education. This position will require some travel and working additionally on occasional evenings and weekends.
- Independently lead groups of elementary students outdoors and in-classrooms through innovative environmental education activities and curricula at the Randall Davey Audubon Center and Sanctuary (RDAC) and in Santa Fe schools;
- Coordinate logistics of education programs with teachers and other audiences, including marketing and promotion, registration, scheduling, and pre/post visit communication;
- Partner with other conservation and informal education organizations to deliver innovative and collaborative programming;
- Serve as a role model naturalist and environmental steward to students and community;
- Develop relationships with members of the community and provide meaningful programming to meet their needs and desires;
- Plan and deliver community, adult, and family outreach programs;
- Develop and implement innovative environmental education activities and curricula for the RDAC summer day camps;
- Ensure daily safety and well-being for summer campers, as well as communication with parents and other Audubon staff;
- Coordinate and mentor teen youth volunteers;
- Interact professionally and positively with students, teachers, parents, and visitors;
- Maintain and enhance existing activities/curricula, including the upkeep of program materials and resources;
- Assist in reporting and development projects in conjunction with Education Director and other Audubon staff
- Assist as necessary with the maintenance of nature center buildings and grounds at RDAC;
- Interact with the public to provide information about Audubon and Audubon’s mission, answer specific questions for visitors associated with the RDAC and be a positive ambassador of Audubon;
- Promote Audubon’s conservation initiatives within the community;
- Additional duties as needed;
- Valid driver’s license and ability to drive;
- 2-3 years of demonstrated experience and background in environmental education, natural history, and science education;
- Bilingual (Spanish) communication skills required;
- Background in New Mexico natural history desirable;
- Experience working with elementary-level students (PreK-6th grade);
- Creative ability to design, write, and evaluate environmental education curricula, lesson plans and activities;
- Proven skills teaching in formal and informal settings to a variety of audiences;
- Excellent public speaking and group management skills;
- Ability to work and collaborate with people of diverse backgrounds;
- Attention to detail, excellent time-management and organizational skills, sound judgment under pressure.
- Hard working, flexible, and self-motivated;
- Ability to work independently and in a team setting;
- Must be able to stand on your feet for long periods of time, lift loads up to 25 lbs, and traverse uneven terrain for over 2 miles. Must be able to lead groups in an outdoor setting, including being able to traverse the trails and uneven terrain of the Nature Center and surrounding properties, preserves, and sanctuaries in variable weather conditions.