Trinity River Audubon Center (TRAC) opened in October 2008 and serves as a flagship location for the National Audubon Society’s mission to conserve and restore ecosystems, focusing on birds and other wildlife and their habitat for the benefit of humanity and the earth’s biological diversity. TRAC is located just eight minutes from downtown Dallas on 120 acres of the Great Trinity Forest – the largest urban bottomland hardwood forest in the United States. TRAC offers programs throughout the year related to local ecology, habitat study and stewardship. Built on top of a reclaimed, former landfill, TRAC is the first major signature development for the Trinity River Corridor Project, a $2 billion City of Dallas public works project. The City of Dallas is the owner of the Trinity River Audubon Center building and TRAC is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Parks and Recreation.
The Program Manager, Academic Programs works with the Director of Education to develop, implement and directly teach a broad range of programs for youth and adults that reflect the strategic goals of the national and state programs, as well as local conservation issues. S/he will manage Audubon’s Conservation Leaders Program for Young Women at TRAC and also serve as trip leader on multiple Audubon Conservation Treks multi-day camping trips throughout the year in conjunction with other staff members. Additionally, S/he will manage and train education staff. The position is full-time and is expected to begin as soon as possible.
- Develop, implement and directly teach a broad range of programs for youth and adults that reflect the strategic goals of the national and state programs, as well as local conservation issues.
- Write and implement youth and adult programs that connect diverse audiences to North Texas and the Central Flyway; develop and implement methods to evaluate the quality and effectiveness of the Center's programs; utilize evaluation tools that incorporate best practices within the environmental education profession and the National Audubon Society.
- Manage efforts that promote Trinity River Audubon Center program participation, and earned revenue. This will include maintaining up-to-date information on the website, utilizing social media (Facebook, Twitter), writing newsletter articles, and building relationships with teachers, principals, community partners and other decision-makers.
- Work with the Center Assistant to ensure all programs are properly scheduled and coordinated with other activities on-site and pre-program communications are sent out.
- Plan, implement and evaluate guest experience for academics at the Center and offsite. This includes, but is not limited to school visits, onsite field trips, and teacher trainings.
- Manage and train academic volunteers including scheduling for programs, providing professional development, and organizing appreciation events.
- Manage and train education staff and ensure all academic programs are properly staffed.
- Manage program promotion, development of props and materials, and program evaluation for both in-school programs and outdoor field trips.
- Maintain and develop partnerships with public and private schools along with youth organizations.
- Maintain inventory, condition and organization of educational materials, supplies and equipment.
- Lead and manage Audubon’s Conservation Leaders Program for Young Women at Trinity River Audubon Center.
- Serve as trip leader on multiple Audubon Conservation Treks multi-day camping trips throughout the year in conjunction with other staff members.
- Other duties as assigned.
- 5+ years' relevant experience in non-profit management and/or conservation experience is required. An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
- Excellent organizational, written and verbal communication skills.
- Project management experience.
- Ability to prepare and deliver presentations to audiences and age groups of different backgrounds.
- Prepare proposals, reports, program summaries, newsletter articles, and other documents.
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate with key stakeholders, such as Board of Directors, management and staff.
- Self-motivated and willing to work in a flexible environment, with a willingness to work evenings and weekends as needed.
- Familiarity with the communities, flora and fauna and environmental partners of Dallas and neighboring counties is strongly preferred.
- A passion for conservation, the mission of the National Audubon Society and the natural resources of Texas is strongly preferred.