Audubon Pennsylvania, a staff of 21 full- and part-time professionals, inspires people to conserve, restore and enjoy natural habitats throughout the state. Audubon focuses on birds and other wildlife through education, science, the careful use of resources, and by serving as a strong voice for policies and programs which benefit the natural world. Audubon's programs include the John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove, the Discovery Center in Philadelphia, and the Waggoner's Gap Hawk Watch in Carlisle. Adding to activities are educational programs across south central Pennsylvania with offices in Harrisburg at the Wildwood Center, and Important Bird Area projects throughout the state, with a significant presence in the Kittatinny Ridge area of central Pennsylvania. Audubon Pennsylvania is based in the village of Audubon at the John James Audubon Center at Mill Grove, with offices in Harrisburg.
The Program Coordinator is responsible for the development and implementation of community conservation engagement programs in York and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Audubon Pennsylvania has been working in York for nearly 10 years. Kiwanis Lake, located in the city of York, is one of Audubon Pennsylvania's Important Bird Areas because of nesting state-listed endangered wading birds. Audubon has had an office in Harrisburg and provided programs in the city for more than a decade. This position will focus on aligning programs to National Audubon’s Bird Friendly Communities strategy and engaging communities in developing healthier habitats that benefit both birds and people. A major responsibility for this position is to develop, implement and evaluate programs to K-12 students in York and Harrisburg School Districts.
S/he will report to the Deputy Director, Conservation and Engagement and work closely with all Audubon Pennsylvania staff, especially the staff based in the Harrisburg office, as well as with the local Audubon chapters and partners to provide conservation programs throughout York and Harrisburg.
- Develop and implement conservation education programs to elementary and middle schools in the York City School District and Harrisburg City School District. This includes both in-classroom programs and field trips to local parks.
- Develop and implement habitat restoration projects, including schoolyard habitat programs and plantings in the park.
- Assist with development and implementation of teacher professional development workshops.
- Increase programs and Audubon’s visibility in the Greater Harrisburg region.
- Create, plan, coordinate and evaluate public programs for children and adults.
- Assist with building and maintaining partnerships with schools, local Audubon Chapter, Park and Recreation Department and others to create successful conservation programs throughout the city.
- Explore ways to engage new and diverse communities, including under-represented audiences in the city.
- Promote and where appropriate utilize citizen science-based activities and science databases such as Great Backyard Bird Count, Humming birds at Home, and the Healthy Yard Pledge to engage and track public efforts to protect wildlife.
- Build partnerships with local community organizations, schools, businesses and others to increase awareness of Audubon and our programs.
- Work closely with local Audubon chapters.
- Recruit, manage and retain volunteers.
- Collaborate with the Deputy Director and other Audubon staff to align programming to the national Bird-Friendly Communities strategy.
- 2-3 years’ experience conducting education programs or community engagement; experience in conservation preferred.
- Excellent communication and writing skills essential.
- Strong computer and Internet research skills.
- Ability to work independently and part of a larger team.
- Experience working with children and adults a must.
- Strong interpersonal and social skills with a positive attitude and good sense of humor.
- Ability to work in a dynamic fast-paced environment.
- Passion for and commitment to the mission of the National Audubon Society.