PROGRAM EDUCATOR chez Blandford Nature Center

Program Educator

Position Description

FLSA Status:  Non-Exempt, Part-Time

Reports to:  Director of Programs

Position Summary: 

Are you passionate about the environment, wildlife and spending time in nature? Do you enjoy interacting with people and sharing your love for nature with others? Blandford is looking for a part time Program Educator to join our Programs Team! Program Educators plan and deliver environmental education and recreation programs across all programmatic areas, including field trips, community programs, wildlife programs, and camp programs, both on-site and off-site in the community. Our Educators experience a high degree of variability in day-to-day tasks, requiring flexibility, curiosity, and a “can do” attitude. Educators must have a passion for working with people of all ages in outdoor settings and be dedicated to delivering our mission to engage and empower our community throughout enriching experience in nature. 

This part-time, year-round position typically works and requires availability from Monday-Saturday for up to 30 hours per week. While the majority of work time will take place on weekdays, the position also requires flexibility to work some evenings and Saturdays on a rotational basis with other team members. 

Program Educator Responsibilities: 

● Lead outdoor environmental education programs for school and youth groups at Blandford Nature Center 

● Lead or assist in the delivery of community education and recreation programs for children, adults and families both on-site at Blandford and of off-site at parks, local schools and daycare centers 

● Lead or assist in the delivery of on-site and off-site wildlife programs 

● As program knowledge increases, assist in the training of new Program Educators 

● Assist in the development of new programming curricula, including lesson plans and learning aids 

● Assist in documentation and evaluation of all programs, including participant satisfaction and program effectiveness 

● Assist in the maintenance and storage of program equipment, supplies and facilities, including program buildings and the Wildlife Center 

● Represent Blandford Nature Center’s Programs Team at fundraisers and community events 

● Assist with other duties related to programs and program operations, as assigned 

Other Responsibilities Relevant to the Position: 

● Maintain high standards of safety and well-being of program participants 

● Maintain a positive and welcoming attitude with program participants and staff 

● Work with and engage volunteers to accomplish the organization’s mission and increase community engagement 

● Demonstrate an ability to achieve proficiency in the Core Competencies of the position 

● Assist in establishing and attaining organizational goals to go beyond welcoming and invitational efforts in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to becoming a belonging organization that is truly community-owned 

● Assist with other organizational duties as assigned 

Qualifications: 

Studies have shown that women, non-binary folks, and Black, Indigenous and People of Color are much less likely to apply for a position unless they feel they meet every qualification as described. We are committed to finding the best overall candidate and welcome candidates who may come from less traditional backgrounds. Please think about the breadth of your life experience when considering the following list: 

The attitudes and characteristics demonstrated in this position are: 

● Flexibility and enthusiasm for a wide variety of programming with a wide variety of audiences 

● Willingness to learn how to care for and handle Blandford’s resident wildlife ambassadors 

● Live out Blandford Nature Center’s commitment to the values of inclusion, stewardship, integrity, partnership, and innovation 

● Ability to be proactive and take initiative, be willing to take calculated risks, have open and direct communication with colleagues, and be part of the team striving to drive Blandford Nature Center to be one of the top nature centers in the country 

● Self-motivated problem-solver with the ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team 

● Ability to make decisions using good judgment in the absence of specific directions 

● Detail-oriented, meticulous, and organized 

Core Competencies: 

● Organizational: Teamwork, Cultural Responsiveness, Relentless Pursuit of Excellence, Effective Communication, Courage, Organizational Awareness 

● Position Specific: Environmental Literacy, Foundations of Environmental Education, Planning & Implementation, Fostering Learning, Assessment & Evaluation 

The successful candidate will possess: 

● Coursework and/or interest in the fields of education, outdoor recreation, environmental sciences, natural sciences, or other related disciplines 

● Previous experience teaching/working with children and adults 

● Ability to communicate factual, scientific information simply and enthusiastically to a broad audience 

● Comfortable working with adults, children of all ages (toddler through high school) and people with learning and/or physical differences 

● Accurate and concise written and verbal communication skills 

● Positive and energetic role model in attitude and behavior 

● Excellent judgment, reliability and ability to work independently 

● Ability to work effectively as part of a team of Educators and with all other Blandford Nature Center staff and volunteers under the direction of multiple managers 

● Comfort with and ability to work effectively outdoors, in all types of weather, for extended periods of time 

● Ability to sit, stand, bend, kneel, and walk for extended periods of time over uneven terrain 

● Ability to move and carry objects up to 30 lbs. 

● Competency in Google applications (GMail, Docs, Sheets, Calendar, and Drive), and design programs (Canva), or enthusiasm to learn these applications 

Compensation: 

This is a paid, non-exempt, part-time position working up to 30 hours per week. Pay for this position starts at $16.00 per hour. This position qualifies for paid holidays and earned sick time (PTO), Blandford Nature Center membership, and participation in a SIMPLE IRA Plan with an up to 3% employer match. 

To Apply: 

Please visit blandfordnaturecenter.org/employment-opportunities/ and click on the Job Board to complete your application. When applying for this position, please note: 

● Submit resume and cover letter with your application 

● Include three (3) professional (not personal) references 

Blandford Nature Center’s Mission: 

To engage and empower our community through enriching experiences in nature. 

Blandford Nature Center’s Vision: 

A thriving, diverse community that supports a healthy, natural world. 

Blandford Nature Center’s Values: 

● Inclusion: Intentionally welcoming and embracing everyone. 

● Stewardship: Responsibly using and caring for all our resources. 

● Integrity: Demonstrating honesty, authenticity, and transparency within our organization and community. ● Experiential: Providing direct opportunities to enjoy, explore, and learn in nature. 

● Partnership: Connecting and collaborating to effectively serve our community. 

● Innovation: Using creativity and curiosity to continuously improve. 

The policy of Blandford Nature Center is to ensure that diversity, inclusiveness, and respect are integral parts of our day-to-day management and work. Blandford staff, board and volunteers commit to ensure equal access to Blandford and all of its educational opportunities by all people. 

In essence, diversity includes all the characteristics, experiences, and cultural influences that make each of us unique individuals. All individuals are welcome at Blandford Nature Center, and all individuals, regardless of race, color, age, national origin, sex (including transgender status, gender identity, and pregnancy), religion, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, status as a parent, will be treated with respect and dignity. By fostering an atmosphere of inclusion and respect, we can continue to value and appreciate the strengths afforded by differences in the styles, ideas, and organizational contributions of each person. We all share the responsibility to ensure diversity and inclusion throughout Blandford, and seek to recruit, engage, and retain a leadership composed of volunteers and staff that equitably and fairly represent our constituency.