The Wild Indigo Coordinator will work with Audubon partners to build relationships with community organizations and community members. S/he will design and deliver culturally relevant programs and restoration stewardship activities that introduce community members to local nature preserves, engages them in learning about natural assets and their care, and builds a paths to engagement and advocacy for those individuals interested in actively caring for local preserves through the facilitation of informal environmental education, outdoor recreation, and stewardship activities.
This job requires a highly organized, responsible person who is a great communicator that can work effectively as part of a team and independently. The successful applicant must have an enthusiasm for the outdoors and a willingness to learn and share actively with community members and the team of partners. The position requires travel to community organizations and local natural areas throughout the Chicago metropolitan area, with a focus on the northern lakeshore cities of Lake County.
This is a grant‐funded position.
- Develop multigenerational informal outdoor and community science programming that creates strong links between nature, cultural practices, and community needs and priorities.
- Recruit community members and organizations in priority geographic and cultural communities to engage them in Wild Indigo programing.
- Build trusting and productive relationships with team members, partner organizations, and community leaders through participation in community events, site visits, field trips, and other activities as defined with the Wild Indigo team.
- Contribute to messaging materials for priority projects and communities. This includes assisting with content for social media, brochures, handouts, and presentations.
- In collaboration with the Wild Indigo team, design and deliver programs, field trips, and civic engagement days for that build awareness and stewardship of natural areas in Lake County.
- Maintain organization and participant contact and demographic information in collaboration with Operations Manager.
- Deliver community presentations that engage individuals and organizations in Wild Indigo activities and goals and connect them to local natural resources and preserves.
- Maintain administrative documentation, communicate schedules, use appropriate administrative and program tools, and build program and meeting agendas as needed.
- Administer and compile program feedback forms and evaluations.
- Assist with grant reporting and data tracking as requested.
- Minimum of one year of relevant job experience in outreach, communication, education or conservation.
- A basic familiarity with birds and native plants of the region.
- An enthusiasm for outdoor activities.
- Excellent communication skills, a professional demeanor, and experience working with diverse cultural communities.
- Must be well‐organized and responsible with the ability to work remotely and independently, as well as part of a team.
- Familiarity with community organizations in Waukegan, North Chicago, and or Zion.
- Travel around Lake County, and within the Chicago metropolitan region is required and occasional travel outside of the Chicago area is required.
- Fluent in Spanish a plus, but not required.