The Sharon Audubon Center, located in Sharon, CT, is part of the New York/Connecticut State Office of Audubon. It features a visitor center and exhibit building, miles of trails, a wildlife rehabilitation clinic, resident raptor aviaries, and demonstration gardens for supporting birds and pollinators. Together with the nearby Miles Audubon Sanctuary, it comprises almost 3,000 acres of protected land, embedded in a landscape of several thousand additional protected acres. It has served for over 50 years as a flagship center and community hub for nature education, environmental awareness, sound land management, and wildlife rehabilitation, serving northwestern Connecticut, southwestern Massachusetts, and eastern New York State.
The Educator / Volunteer Coordinator is responsible for organizing and providing weekend/evening programs and events and for coordinating and overseeing a range of day-to-day operations of the Sharon Audubon Center and Miles Sanctuary. This is a full-time position that reports to the Center Director.
- The schedule will vary but will typically entail a Tuesday-Saturday or Sunday-Thursday schedule, with occasional evenings.
- The Educator / Volunteer Coordinator will work both on-site and off-site, sometimes outdoors in variable weather conditions and terrain, and be expected to handle birds of prey and other wildlife as needed.
- Residence on-site is not required, but may be available.
- Develop, deliver, or arrange for delivery of weekend natural history programs aligned with Audubon’s mission and Audubon Connecticut’s strategic education goals.
- Interpret the Center’s exhibits and trails to children and adults, using best practices for nature interpretation.
- Track program attendance.
- Develop, adopt and use program evaluation tools, and report where feasible on the impact of programs on attitudes and behavior.
- Market educational programs and special events, in close collaboration with the state communications staff and Center staff.
- With education and wildlife rehab staff, develop online outreach materials for the website and social media.
- Proactively maintain, strengthen, and expand the Center’s relationships with community partners and constituents, such as non-profits, schools, scouts, foundations, service groups, and Audubon chapters.
- Participate in community events to educate about the Center and the Audubon mission.
- Participate in recruiting, training, supervising, encouraging, and recognizing the work of volunteers, especially those that assist with programs, events, grounds, or maintenance.
- Coordinate volunteer schedules to ensure coverage of tasks.
- Coordinate and oversee volunteers for grounds-keeping, gardening, trail maintenance.
- Serve as contact person for volunteers as needed during their volunteer work hours.
- Coordinate, provide, and improve donor services and visitor services, including responses to email, mail, phone calls, and walk-ins.
- Find and act upon opportunities to improve the efficiency of administrative procedures and record management.
- Support the Center Director as needed with producing reports and developing marketing and communications materials.
- Participate as needed in financial reporting to the state office.
- Coordinate and provide coverage for the shop and visitor services on weekends.
- Other duties as assigned.
- Knowledge of region’s natural history; intermediate to advanced birding skills a strong advantage.
- Experience in formal (e.g. school) or informal (e.g. museum, nature center) education.
- Capable of leading programs and walks for all ages.
- Excellent verbal and written communicator.
- Ability to form positive relationships with a wide variety of colleagues and clients.
- Excellent analytical, planning, and organizing skills.
- Talent for creative program development aligned with Center goals.
- Adept with budgets and spreadsheets; willing to learn new software.
- Patient, positive, and resourceful problem-solver.
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office package software; ArcGIS helpful.
- Capable of accurate, timely, and detailed office work.
- Ability to work well independently and as a team member.
- Flexibility and ability to work with multiple demands and distractions.
- Commitment to diverse, equitable, inclusive organizational culture.
- Willingness and aptitude for handling wild animals, especially raptors.
- Ability to work outdoors in all weather and variable terrain.
- Valid driver’s license and reliable vehicle.