*POSITION TITLE:* Community Education Coordinator
*Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory *is looking for a motivated, dynamic
educator and camping industry professional who will bring bird conservation
topics to a variety of audiences, specifically through interpretive
programs and summer camps.
*POSITION DETAILS:*
*Organization: *Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory (RMBO)
*Location:* Brighton, CO; The position is based out of RMBO’s Headquarters
and Environmental Learning Center, with some travel to partner
organizations around the Denver metro area and Front Range required.
*Reports to:* Education Director
*Supervises: *Seasonal Staff, Interns, and Volunteer Naturalists
*Salary:* Commensurate with qualifications: $29,000 – $33,000/year, plus
benefits; this is a salaried, full-time, exempt position.
*Schedule:* The position will be required to work several weekend days a
month, plus extended program weeks and hours during overnight camps and
some day camps. Thus, applicants will need to be flexible and accommodate a
variable weekly schedule.
*Expected Start Date: *As soon as possible
*OVERVIEW OF ORGANIZATION, PROGRAMS, AND PHILOSOPHY:*
Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory (RMBO) conserves birds and their habitats
through an integrated approach of science, education and stewardship (
www.rmbo.org). Our work radiates from the Rockies to the Great Plains,
Mexico and beyond. Our mission is advanced through sound science, achieved
through empowering people, realized through stewardship and sustained
through cross-border collaborations. Together, we are improving native bird
populations, the land, and the lives of people. We monitor and identify
population trends, research habitat needs, engage landowners and managers
in wildlife and habitat stewardship, and educate diverse audiences.
The organization was founded in 1988, and educational programs built around
its banding stations and Bald Eagle Watch were part of operations from the
start. Since then, RMBO’s educational agenda has grown to also include K-12
School Field Trips and In-Class Programs, Home School Programs, Adult
Education Programs, Family and Community Programs, a Volunteer Naturalist
Program, a variety of Citizen Science projects, and Day and Overnight
Summer Camps. RMBO engages approximately 25,000 people each year across a
broad geographic spectrum, with around 200 of these individuals
participating in our Summer Nature Camps, which are based out of the
organization’s headquarters and Environmental Learning Center at the north
end of Barr Lake State Park in Brighton, CO.
Using birds as the hook, RMBO Summer Nature Camps offer day and overnight
camp sessions for youth between the ages of 2 and 17, with an emphasis on
providing opportunities to safely explore and learn about the natural world
and conservation. Camp sessions are designed as part of a progression to
introduce children to the outdoors at a young age and build their skills
over time, taking our youngest participants from basic, sensorial
interactions with nature to a more sophisticated appreciation and
understanding of their place in the natural world. Camps range from
two-hour experiences with 2 to 5 year-olds and their parents to ten-day
overnight camps for 15 to 17 year-olds, the latter of which has
participants learning about, conducting, and presenting scientific research
projects and exploring careers in natural resources. Ultimately, the
desired outcome for all of our programs is for participants to become more
interested in the world around them and, subsequently, better informed and
engaged citizens.
*QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS: *
· Bachelor’s degree in natural resources area or environmental
education/interpretation, with two years of working experience in a related
field required; Master’s degree preferred. A combination of degrees or
experience in the areas of wildlife biology, environmental science, or
education is a plus.
· Experience developing, marketing, administering, leading, and
evaluating environmental education/interpretation programs, especially day
and overnight summer camps.
· Solid understanding of camping industry standards and risk
management.
· Experience teaching environmental education school programs in
formal and non-formal outdoor and classroom settings.
· Experience and confidence delivering scientific messages to diverse
audiences.
· Strong communication with adults and children, and proven ability
to cultivate relationships with families.
· Strong organizational, logistical, grant writing, and networking
skills, with proven ability to handle multiple tasks and roles, prioritize,
and meet deadlines.
· Experience in budget management.
· Strength in building and maintaining partnerships with diverse
organizations.
· Proficient with Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, and Publisher).
· Responsible, creative, relational, enthusiastic, flexible, and
resourceful team player; self-motivated, results-oriented, and dedicated to
providing clients with quality and enriching experiences.
· Must be in good physical condition, able to lift/carry 40 pounds,
and able to hike long distances at altitude.
· Specific knowledge and experience regarding bird identification,
bird banding, ornithology, and natural history of the Front Range desired.
· Must possess a valid Driver’s License and have a clean driving
record.
· Must pass Federal and State background checks.
· Current CPR and First Aid Certifications (WFR Preferred).
· Ability to speak Spanish a plus.
*DUTIES/DESCRIPTION: *
This position will be responsible for fostering the growth RMBO’s Summer
Nature Camps, Family, and Community Programs by:
· Planning, marketing, administering, leading, and evaluating day and
overnight camps for 2-17 year olds and parents during the summer.
· Assisting with the development and implementation of the
Leaders-in-Training program, a summer camp volunteer/leadership program for
12-17 year-olds.
· Maintaining relationships with local and remote summer camp
families/clients through regular communication, events, and programs
throughout the year (reunions, family programs, etc).
· Planning, advertising, leading, and evaluating monthly family
programs, partnership events with Barr Lake State Park, and pre-school
programs.
· Leading RMBO’s annual Christmas Bird Count for Kids and
coordinating with local organizations to promote other events around the
metro area/state.
· Leading, coordinating, and implementing Bird Tales, a therapeutic
environmental education program for individuals experiencing dementia, and
other off/on-site interpretive programs for adults (at libraries, senior
centers, rec centers, etc).
· Assisting with training, scheduling, and supervising of volunteer
naturalists.
· Supervising education assistants, interns, and other staff as
needed.
· Assisting with school programs as-needed (several days per week in
April/May and September/October).
· Building partnerships and work with local communities and
organizations to increase awareness of RMBO and our programs by
representing RMBO at community events and meetings.
· Tracking all participant numbers, scholarships, and budget
information and providing required information to School Programs
Coordinator, Education Director, CFO, etc.
· Seeking out and applying for additional funding for this position,
the education team, and scholarships for programs.
· Performing other duties as assigned, including facility, grounds,
and site-based projects around the Environmental Learning Center.
*To apply: *Please email a cover letter, detailing your summer camp and
environmental education knowledge/experience and your philosophy as to the
development of children in the context of the camping experience, as well
as a resume with at least three references (names, phone numbers, and email
addresses) in *a single document* to: Tyler Edmondson at
tyler.edmondson@rmbo.org.
*CLOSING DATE:* September 1, 2015