AmeriCorps Environmental Educator

Program Overview:

Led by the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education (CAEE), the Environmental Education Corps (ee Corps) Ameri Corps Program places Ameri Corps members at organizations throughout Colorado to focus on increasing environmental literacy for PreK‑12 students and implementing the goals outlined in the Colorado Environmental Education Plan. ee Corps works directly with teachers, schools, and environmental education providers to support them in expanding reach and increasing impact of EE programming, while providing access to equitable learning experiences for all PreK‑12 students.

Ameri Corps members serving with the ee Corps provide direct service to improve outcomes in Environmental Stewardship and Education. Ameri Corps provides opportunities to improve lives and foster civic engagement all across the country.

This position will be located at Bluff Lake Nature Center in Denver, CO. Bluff Lake Nature Center (BLNC) is a nonprofit agency that owns and manages a unique urban wildlife refuge and outdoor classroom in Denver, CO. Through environmental education, stewardship, and community engagement, BLNC is committed to educational equity and making nature accessible to all.

The Environmental Educator will serve together with the Education Team to coordinate and facilitate programs including scout trips, mini camps, and birthday parties. This position will also support our program managers through facilitation on programs including field trips, the Bluff Lake Outdoor Homeschool Enrichment Program, after school programs, a 10‑week summer camp, Forest School, family programs, and other partner events held year‑round.

There may be opportunities to help develop programs or curriculum.

ee Corps members engage with their Host Site organizations to develop, implement, and enhance programs, projects, and activities that will create progress towards ee Corps’ and Bluff Lake Nature Center’s goals. These duties include:

• Facilitate on‑site and off‑site programs, including field trips, the Bluff Lake Outdoor Homeschool Enrichment Program, Bluff Lake Forest School, summer camp, scout trips, mini camps, after school, birthday parties, family programs, and partner events
• Support relationships with schools and community partners
• Serve with staff to review and develop curriculum and programs
• Assist Education Director with social media content creation and marketing efforts
• Track progress and collect evaluation data for the program’s performance measures
• Attend all required ee Corps/Ameri Corps orientations, meetings, and trainings
• Complete and submit all necessary ee Corps paperwork and reports by predetermined deadlines
• Some local travel required and occasional statewide travel possible

• Assist in organization of paperwork and program supplies
• Assist in keeping site facilities clean and updated
• Evaluate education programs using assessment data from students, teacher/student feedback, current best practices in pedagogy and science standards, as well as observations and first‑hand teaching experience
• Keep visitor resources up‑to‑date and stocked
• Assist in site volunteer days geared towards families and/or schools (weed removal, trash clean up, etc.)
• Attend special events

• Ability to serve outdoors in various weather conditions for up to 9 hours
• Ability to set‑up and take‑down pop‑up tents, tables, and chairs; load and unload materials onto shelves; pull a supply wagon distances of up to 1 mile at a time
• Commitment to equity in education
• Approachable and communicative person willing to engage with various stakeholders (students, teachers, parents, site visitors, volunteers, etc.)

• Passionate about Bluff Lake Nature Center’s mission
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to multi‑task
• Strong communication skills with adults and children
• Team player, enthusiastic, organized, creative, critical thinker, and self‑motivated
• Desire/commitment to learn about Colorado flora and fauna
• Ethic of national and community service and…