Environmental Educator - NY HELPS

Reinstein Woods Environmental Educator 1

Duties will focus on:

• Planning and conducting environmental education programs
• Supporting the development of environmental education and interpretive skills in others, through workshops for educators and mentoring of volunteers
• Coordinating outreach events in collaboration with partner organizations
• Coordinating the volunteer program at Reinstein Woods

Periodic weekend and evening work are required. Sample duties are listed below.

Administering Environmental Education Programs and Events

• Planning and conducting public programs, and education programs for groups such as schools, Scout troops, and community groups, during the week and on weekends
• Assisting with planning and coordinating major events at Reinstein Woods, including I Love My Park Day, Get Outdoors and Get Together Day, Fall Festival, and other events as may be developed
• Maintaining, monitoring, and evaluating interpretive materials
• Assisting with preparing exhibits and displays as needed
• Assisting in the general operations of Reinstein Woods Environmental Education Center, including maintaining inventory records for tagged DEC equipment.

Collaboration with Partners

• Partnering with DEC programs highlighting agency priorities such as climate resiliency, sustainable living, and pollinator and native species outreach
• Supporting the development and management of community/citizen science and Scout service projects
• Coordinating off-site outreach efforts, including registering for the event, preparing displays and materials, and scheduling volunteers or staff to work at the events
• Attending career days, fairs, festivals and other events to promote outdoor recreation, DEC Camps, teacher workshops and DEC messages as schedule allows

Educator Trainings and Support

• Training and supporting educators in environmental literacy and using the outdoors as a classroom
• Conducting presentations during seasonal teacher institutes and workshops at conferences and trainings
• Conducting educator workshops in Projects WILD, WET and Learning Tree and other similar NYSDEC-sponsored resources for educators

Volunteer Coordination

• Recruiting and processing new volunteers and maintaining volunteer database, including hours records
• Communicating volunteer opportunities at least quarterly to existing volunteers and conducting periodic orientation sessions for new volunteers
• Conducting training sessions for nature guides, greeters, community science and outreach event volunteers
• Coordinating service awards and annual volunteer recognition event

Minimum Qualifications

This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS). For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title may be filled via a non-competitive appointment, which means no examination is required but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply.

To be eligible for appointment under NY HELPS, candidates must meet the non-competitive minimum qualifications below:

• Four years of experience in environmental conservation in a professional or technical capacity or professional teaching of environmental education and one year of experience teaching about or interpreting the natural world.
• Substitution:
  An associate degree in biology, ecology, environmental education, environmental interpretation, environmental science, natural history, natural sciences, outdoor recreation or education or a closely related field can substitute for two years of environmental conservation experience. A bachelor's degree in biology, ecology, environmental education, environmental interpretation, environmental science, natural history, natural sciences, outdoor recreation or education or a closely related field may substitute for the four years of the environmental conservation experience.

Additional Comments

Must have a valid driver's license or demonstrate the ability to meet the transportation needs of the position. Travel may be required. Overnight travel may be required. Weekends and holidays may be required. Telecommuting may be available up to 50% of work schedule, will be discussed at interview.

We offer a work-life balance…