The Goosewing Education Coordinator is responsible for leading educational programs and promoting the Benjamin Family Environmental Center at Goosewing Beach Preserve.
The Education Coordinator will be responsible for greeting visitors, developing interpretive displays, leading nature programs for all ages including school programs, and may establish cooperative relationships with local schools, universities, state and local agencies and organizations involved in environmental education. The Education Coordinator will help develop a future volunteer base for the center by recruiting and training volunteers to aid in staffing the center. The Goosewing education program will promote and increase public awareness of TNC’s management of Piping Plover and Least Tern nesting sites, barrier beach ecology, local natural history, and the Conservancy’s mission and conservation initiatives. The Education Coordinator will produce a report at the end of the season summarizing activities and results.
The Education Coordinator will work closely with other Conservancy field staff, interns and volunteers and is supervised by the Preserves Manager. The position is full-time, short-term, (35 hours/week) and is paid hourly. It is a 20-week position that begins on April 16, 2018 and terminates August 31, 2018. Housing is not provided.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE
- Provide a presence at the Environmental Center on a regular basis. Greet the public and answer questions. Initiate positive, engaging communications with beach visitors. Provide information about Goosewing Beach and the shorebird protection program. Conduct informal tours of exhibit areas. Open and close the center.
- Develop and lead nature walks and programs for the general public, community groups, school and scout groups, and donors to educate about barrier beach ecology, local natural history, shorebird biology, management and protection efforts; and The Nature Conservancy’s mission.
- Develop and present interpretive displays and brochures. Keep information current on nature program schedule and shorebird nesting updates.
- Recruit, train, and supervise volunteers to staff the center. Record volunteer hours.
- Record number of visitors to the center. Record visitor questions, comments, and suggestions.
- Provide supplemental assistance to Preserve Manager for the shorebird monitoring program.
- May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances.
- Requires long hours in isolated settings.
- Makes day to day decisions as delegated by supervisor.
- May work under infrequent supervision.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience organizing files.
- Experience operating power and construction tools in a safe manner.
- Experience in Customer Service.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross cultural experience appreciated.
- 1 – 2 years training in science-related field or related experience in environmental systems. Experience in environmental education preferred.
- Experience working with or knowledge of natural systems. Ability to recognize plant and animal species as required to complete preserve management and education activities.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills. Ability to persuasively convey the mission of TNC to diverse groups including the general public, school groups, donors, and others.
- Ability to follow instructions from colleagues.
- Ability to perform physical work, sometimes under adverse conditions or in inclement weather.
- Obtain related licenses or certifications such as first aid, CPR, driver’s license.
- PC familiarity, including Microsoft Office and database knowledge, in order to maintain records and produce report.