UMLY is seeking a qualified candidate for an exciting, cause-driven, leadership opportunity as a Director Environmental & STEM Education.
Join Upper Main Line Y’s team to lead one of the most unique programs in the region! The Environmental & STEM Education Director is responsible for overseeing and providing opportunities for our members and the community to connect with nature and science through four focus areas: Wildlife Conservation, STEM, Sustainable Agriculture, and Environmental Service Learning.
The engaging Environmental focus areas are delivered through classes, camps, workshops, school programs, and community outreach to audiences comprised of preschool children, K-12 students, families, adults, and individuals with special needs. These programs utilize the amazing resources provided by the Environmental & STEM Education Complex. Situated on the Upper Main Line YMCA’s 54-acre campus, this unique Complex includes:
- Cassatt Preserve, 20-acres of five miles of trails through mature woodland, wetlands, meadow, pond, and the headwaters of Darby Creek
- Nature Center, with live animal exhibits (terrestrial and aquatic), educational exhibits, and a classroom
- Raptor Center, housing our non-releasable birds of prey used for programs
- Micro-Farm, encompassing learning gardens, farm plot, community garden, and barnyard that houses goats, sheep, and chickens
- STEM lab classroom
In addition to teaching, this position is also responsible for overseeing all education program development and administration, including curriculum/program design, scheduling, animal care and exhibit upkeep, program
evaluation, personnel management, and budgeting. The Director provides leadership and direction to ensure the Environmental & STEM Education programs are well-balanced, of consistent high quality, mission-focused, fiscally sound and highlight the local natural resources. The Director also helps promote the Center, supervises education staff, leads programs and assists with events and long-term strategic planning. This is a full-time,
year-round position, which includes some weekend and evening programming.
- Ensure program content and delivery is high quality, relevant, accessible and effective. Initiate and develop changes to programs as necessary to ensure performance outcomes, operational efficiency and fiscal responsibility.
- Recruit, hire, train, inspire, develop, guide and supervise education/naturalist staff; ensure collaboration and proper coordination with other Y staff.
- Oversee the planning and implementation of educational exhibits, displays, and live animals. This includes the daily care and health management of all live animals, including required state and federal permits to be kept up to date, health record-keeping, scheduling annual medical appointments with partner medical providers and emergency care when needed.
- Create and oversee the Department’s budget; monitor revenue and expenses; ensure timely negotiation and execution of school and other education-related contracts; coordinate department finances with Associate Executive Director.
- Coordinate with Marketing staff to fully promote all programs available to members and the community by meeting all marketing deadlines through providing the correct content, fees, and participant data.
- Coordinate with Development staff to plan, develop, and execute grant proposals for funding education programs in a timely manner; ensure that all grants and contracts involving Education staff are carried out as expected; assume overall responsibility for each education grant project and initiate corrective actions when necessary to ensure funded programs are completed on time and within budget.
- Maintain positive and flexible attitude and apply professional, common-sense solutions to everyday challenges.
- Minimum two years of experience working in an educational management position, including supervision of staff.
- Three or more years of experience teaching K-12 educational programs.
- Raptor handling and animal care experience preferred
- Effective public speaker.
- Excellent written and communication skills.
- Ability to optimize the promotion of programs through social media
- Demonstrated ability to select, lead, develop, and inspire staff and volunteers.
- Experience and/or working knowledge of strategic planning, budgeting, proposal writing, fundraising and volunteer management.
- Ability to think creatively and strategically.
- Ability to work effectively with a diversity of people with different backgrounds and abilities.
- Strong organizational skills, ability to multi-task, adapt to change, work independently, and to prioritize effectively.
- Excellent overall computer skills, including Microsoft Office applications, online registration systems and databases.
- Ability to hike 3 miles with a 10-pound backpack.
- Candidate should have at least 2-4 years’ experience in environmental education-related work, including management of animals for educational purposes. Must be available to work weekdays, weekends and evenings.