Biodiversity Builders Program Leader Summer

Biodiversity Builders SM Youth Environmental Education Program
seeks to hire a Program Leader for Summer 2026

Biodiversity Builders SM (BB) is a paid, environmental education program designed to inspire and empower high school youth to make a positive ecological impact in their communities. Over six weeks in summer, students from Cambridge, Belmont & Arlington, guided by the BB program leader and two college mentors, learn how to: design, plant and maintain native plant gardens, remove invasive plants, operate a business where they sell native plants, and advocate for nature-based solutions to environmental injustice and climate change.

The BB Program Leader, using the BB curriculum, will implement nature-based educational activities for 12 – 16 youth. Working alongside college mentors, the leader can use or tailor existing lessons (based on their experience), and lead activities such as: designing, installing and maintaining native plant gardens; identifying and recording plants and pollinators; pulling invasive plants (alongside a conservation sponsor); touring native plant and wetland habitats;

and, how to create and operate a mission-driven business.

Key responsibilities include:

encouraging nature discovery (reinforced by content lessons), fostering teamwork and collaboration, building community relationships, ensuring safety compliance, and promoting awareness of sustainability methods and environmental justice issues.

• Program Development & Delivery:
  Deliver the Biodiversity Builders SM experiential environmental, outdoor, and science-based curriculum to high school youth.
• Leadership & Staff Management:
  Train, supervise, and guide college mentors and high school students.
• Partnership & Community Liaison:
  Collaborate with community organizations and stakeholders to align BB program with community needs.
• Operations & Logistics:
  Manage program schedules, and logistical planning for field trips, client projects, indoor instruction, and community events (such as the Moth Ball and the student-run Native Plant Sales Event).
• Promotion & Reporting:
  Market program through various media, track participation data, and assist in grant reporting, or fundraising efforts.

• Education:
  
  Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Education, Biology, or a related field. Equivalent work experience may substitute.
• Experience:
  
  2–5 years of experience in environmental education (preferably to hs youth); program management, or staff supervision.
• Knowledge:
  Expertise in native plant gardening, environmental science, ecology, business (optional) and environmental justice.
• Skills:
  
  Exceptional communication, public speaking, and outdoor leadership skills.
• Certifications:
  
  CPR/First Aid certification desirable.

• Passionate about nature-based solutions, environmental restoration and outdoor education.
• Ability to teach diverse youth.
• Comfortable managing risks during outdoor activities.
• Skilled at developing school-aligned programming (e.g., NGSS).

Must be able to commit to at least eight weeks, June 15 – 26 for training, and July 6 – Aug. 14 as leader.

Salary range $22.50 – $30/hour, commensurate with experience