EeCorps Environmental Educator - Bluff Lake Nature Center

ee Corps Environmental Educator - Bluff Lake Nature Center

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.

Service Site Overview: 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.

Service

Position Summary:

The Environmental Educator will serve together with the Education Team to facilitate field trips, the Bluff Lake Outdoor Homeschool Enrichment program, community outreach, after school programs, summer camp, Forest School, family programs, scout trips, birthday parties, mini camps, and other partner events held year-round. There may be opportunities to help develop programs or curriculum.

Essential Functions (Primary Responsibilities):

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
• 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

Marginal Functions (Secondary Responsibilities):

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

Physical, Emotional, and Intellectual Demands:

• Ability to serve in 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.)

Qualifications:

• Passionate about Bluff Lake Nature Center’s…