Summary:
Serves as an educator for all aspects of sustainability education, which includes K-12 student and teacher engagement, community programming, and adult education. This position occasionally supports the instructional needs of other departments. They participate in advancing the Garden’s mission by connecting learners of all ages to appropriate sustainable solutions and sustainability-based learning experiences. This includes design, development, and delivery of learning experiences for recycling, energy, water and other green schools related topics, tours, professional development and other programs as needed.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Develops, prepares and delivers quality, engaging environmental education programs for learners across the greater St. Louis area and throughout the Missouri and Illinois region.
Provides lessons and activities that build awareness and understanding of practical sustainable solutions for all audiences. This includes development of lessons for recycling, energy, water and other green schools related education, tours, professional development and other programs as needed.
Participates in team planning sessions with staff to ensure well-coordinated and effective delivery of instruction to meet learning goals and objectives.
Assists with creating, procuring, maintaining, and organizing program and instructional resource supplies.
Assists with tracking data and writing reports for grant funded programs.
Arranges transportation, reservations, and logistics for program field trips. Transports participants to field sites in trucks, cars, and 15-passenger vans.
Assists with professional development workshops and sessions for educators.
Coordinates teaching schedule with Garden staff and teachers as needed for educational programming.
Ensures that all applicable safety standards are followed; informs employees/students/volunteers of safety guidelines and safe working practices and routinely monitors to enforce them. Adapts or modifies work methods to reduce hazards. Reports all accidents, injuries, and near-miss accidents immediately.
Collaborates with Sustainability division for development, creation, and implementation of new programming initiatives.
Promotes a department culture of teamwork and mutual support; maintains an open line of communication with the Career, Community and Sustainability Education team, Sustainability Division departments, and other Garden divisions.
Meets expected attendance guidelines.
Follows and adheres to established policies and procedures, including but not limited to Employee Handbook, Garden Safety Guidelines and Department Policies.
Behaves and communicates in a manner that promotes and fosters a culture of teamwork and cooperation, within our division and throughout the Garden, with co-workers, supervisors/managers, volunteers, visitors and employees.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications and/or Experience:
Minimum of 2 years working on developing and delivering effective instruction (e.g. adult, youth, family education; outdoor education). Knowledge of principles and processes of environmental education and/or sustainability education required.
Minimum of 1 year working with sustainability, conservation, or other related environmental topics required.
Experience working with diverse audiences including K-12 students of varying grade levels, educators, and adult learners.
Experience with leading group projects and initiatives preferred.
Must have an interest in environmental issues and a commitment to fairly represent all sides of such issues.
Prior experience working in a cultural institution preferred.
Scheduling flexibility to work weekends, holidays, and evenings as needed is required.
Ability to travel (local and/or domestic) required.
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with internal team members and external organizations for the purposes of creating a commitment to common goals, prioritizing, minimizing obstacles, and executing realistic priorities in a sophisticated environment.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Ability to work independently with little instruction; coordinate and prioritize multiple tasks, set deadlines, and complete projects in a timely manner.
Exceptional ability to communicate effectively at all levels; must enjoy and feel comfortable interacting and working in close proximity to general public, in a safe and friendly manner, answering questions.
The Garden is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our employees, volunteers, and guests. All staff are strongly encouraged to receive all vaccinations as recommended by your healthcare provider prior to hire date. The Garden reserves the right to require future proof of current vaccination status, based on local health department guidelines. When international travel is necessary for Garden business, staff must be able to obtain required travel clearances, driving permits, and vaccinations for all countries where travel is required.
Use of personal vehicle may be required to purchase supplies and food; regular travel to schools and community events within Missouri and Illinois surrounding areas. Travel required >50%.
The requirements and duties listed are representative and not exhaustive of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required.
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in education, science education, ecology, environmental science, or sustainability required.
An equivalent combination of skills, education and experience may be considered.
