Environmental Educator Position

Job Overview and Requirements

Job Overview and Requirements
: KAEE is seeking an enthusiastic individual with a passion for our mission to work with the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (LFUCG) Department of Environmental Quality and Public Works (EQPW) on their K-12 environmental education program.

The Environmental Educator will work closely with the Environmental Education Program Manager to develop, implement, and assess a robust, engaging K-12 outreach program in Lexington-Fayette County. Waste management, water quality (stormwater and sanitary sewers), sustainability and transportation are the focal topics for the program. The educator will be involved in direct outreach to students and will be the lead facilitator for many program-related field trips and teacher professional development.

The selected applicant will have professional development opportunities, along with the ability to network with professionals throughout the service area and state of Kentucky.

The position will be based in the EQPW office in Lexington, KY. If you would like to have a significant impact and work with an amazing team, we encourage you to apply! Learn more about the work we do /EE

For any questions about place, policies, and/or position, please contact Danny Woolums to schedule an informal phone conversation prior to application.

Note:

Only one environmental educator is being hired at this time but can be hired as either a Grade 1 or Grade 2 position depending on their level of experience. All applicants will be entered into the same pool, though applicants should state in their cover letter which level they believe they qualify for. Please note differences in responsibilities, qualifications and pay scale for the different Grades.

Full-time position working up to 40 hours per week. We believe in work-life balance and a flexible, family-friendly schedule and therefore offer compensatory time up to 120 hours for additional hours worked for exempt staff, 15 days of vacation time, 12 days of sick leave, 6 paid regular holidays and 3 paid floating holidays per year. KAEE observes a paid office shutdown between December 24th through January 1st.

This position is exempt. Additional benefits include subsidized health insurance and a SIMPLE IRA retirement plan with a 3% match. Professional development opportunities are highly encouraged; staff are eligible to attend national conferences after one (1) year of employment. Benefits begin accruing immediately. Position is at-will and subject to a 90-day probationary period.

Please send a cover letter and resume with related experience along with three (3) references (a maximum of 1 personal reference) to Danny Woolums. The position will close on January 26, 2026.

Zoom interviews available upon request.

KAEE is an equal opportunity employer.

• School-based Environmental
  
  Education:
  
  prepare and lead lessons as a part of the units of study in classroom setting, with a focus on elementary and middle school education; may assist Environmental Education Program Manager and Environmental Educator (Grade
  2) with developing units for classroom use
• Field Trips: facilitate field trips to sites such as the Recycle Center, Haley Pike Waste Management Facility (capped landfill and compost pad), Town Branch Wastewater Treatment Plant, West Hickman Wastewater Treatment Plant, watershed sampling sites and other appropriate sites as they are identified
• OST: prepare and lead activities related to the Out of School Time program – both after school and summer
• Workforce Development: connect K-12 units to careers, especially careers related to city jobs; work with the Workforce Development Coordinator on career panels, career days and similar opportunities
• School & Teacher Support: assist with school events such as STEM nights; conduct school/classroom waste audits and offer guidance on addressing problems; support after school clubs related to contract objectives (e.g., Green Team, Recycle Club)
• Teacher Training: provide assistance with teacher professional development opportunities as needed
• Some evening and weekend work is required

• Bachelor’s degree OR 5 years of environmental education experience OR 3 years of environmental education experience and an environmental education certificate recognized by the North American Association for Environmental Education or similarly credentialed
• Self-directed team player who gets things done
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects concurrently
• Ability to work and effectively communicate with a wide range of people including staff (administrative and operational), teachers, community partners, students, volunteers and elected officials
• Dedication to equity in education
• Knowledge of culturally relevant teaching strategies
• Ability to work outdoors and complete physically demanding tasks
• Comfortable with…