Position summary

The Education Assistant will be located at the Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) in Bayview, WA, which is part of a national network of Reserves throughout the country.  The Assistant will gain a broad range of experience in educational settings that engage K-12 and public audiences in the field and through programs offered at the Padilla Bay Interpretive Center.

Position responsibilities

The schedule for this position is Tuesday through Saturday. Primary duty is presenting Padilla Bay’s estuary education program to school and community groups but the Assistant will also have some duties in the Operations and Research departments. These include:

• Assisting professional educators with implementation of existing programs for school field trips, families and other youth groups;
• Facilitate and/or develop special environmental education projects for target audiences;
• Helping organize a professional conference for environmental educators;
• Develop and maintain educational materials, exhibits and aquaria;
• Outreach to Spanish speaking families (as skills allow);
• Assist with Padilla Bay research scientists with their projects in the field and laboratory.

Qualifications

• Applicants must be between the age of 18-25 on their first day of service (age restrictions are based on legislative mandate, and do not apply to Gulf War Era II Veterans, dependents, or active duty reservists, or those with a mental or sensory disability).
• Per legislative mandate, priority will be given to Washington state residents.
• Applicants must be eligible for AmeriCorps, and able to submit documentation of one of the following citizenship statuses: U.S. Citizen, National, or Lawful Permanent Resident Alien. Learn more about AmeriCorps eligibility on the WCC website.

Schedule

This is an 11-month AmeriCorps position starting October 1, 2018, and ending September 6, 2019. Members are expected to serve 40 hours over four or five days each week.

WCC AmeriCorps member benefits

Members will receive a biweekly paycheck equal to Washington state minimum wage, in addition to the AmeriCorps Education Award ($5,920) upon completion of term. Basic health insurance and qualified loan forbearance is available. In addition, all 300 WCC members gather three times a year for professionally-taught, career-transferable trainings. Read more about training opportunities and a full list of benefits on the WCC website.

Application process

Please complete both required steps:

1. Submit WCC online application accessible from the WCC website (select this IP position on application).
2. Submit the following application materials to Susan Wood (Padilla Bay Education Coordinator) at swood@padillabay.gov
   1. cover letter indicating interest in the position and relevance to career goals,
   2. resume with contact information, educational background, and work experience,
   3. contact information for three references.

About WCC and AmeriCorps

Washington Conservation Corps (WCC) is an AmeriCorps program that creates future leaders through community involvement and mentorship. The program supports more than 350 members and experienced staff statewide who restore critical habitat, build trails, lead volunteers, educate youth, and respond to local and national disasters.

AmeriCorps is a network of local, state, and national service programs that connects over 70,000 Americans each year in intensive service to meet community needs in education, the environment, public safety, health, and homeland security. Learn more on the WCC website.

Chandler Colahan

Education Specialist,

Padilla Bay NERR

ccolahan@padillabay.gov

(360) 428-1080