Environmental Educator

The National Audubon Society is a nonprofit conservation organization that protects birds and the places they need today and tomorrow. We work throughout the Americas towards a future where birds thrive because Audubon is a powerful, diverse, and ever-growing force for conservation. Audubon has more than 700 staff working across the hemisphere and more than 1.5 million active supporters.

North America has lost three billion birds since 1970, and more than 500 bird species are at risk of extinction across Latin America and the Caribbean. Birds act as early warning systems about the health of our environment, and they tell us that birds – and our planet – are in crisis. Together as one Audubon, we are working to alter the course of climate change and habitat loss, leading to healthier bird populations and reversing current trends in biodiversity loss. We do this by implementing on-the-ground conservation, partnering with local communities, influencing public and corporate policy, and building community.

Audubon is committed to a culture of workplace excellence, where our talented and diverse staff are deeply engaged with a strong sense of belonging. The birds Audubon pledges to protect differ in color, size, behavior, geographical preference, and countless other ways. By honoring and celebrating the equally remarkable diversity of the human species, Audubon brings new creativity, effectiveness, and leadership to our work throughout the hemisphere.

The Environmental Educator will develop and deliver dynamic, high quality, and integrated environmental interpretation and education, outdoor recreation, conservation science and advocacy programs in the Finger Lakes Region. They will lead programs at Montezuma Audubon Center (MAC), the Montezuma Wetlands Complex, and off-site outreach will support Audubon’s strategic plan in Water, Working Lands, Climate Change, and Creating Bird-Friendly Communities. This is a full-time position that will not exceed 35 hours/week.

Compensation:

$19.00 / hour

• Implement and lead environmental education and outdoor recreation programs for families, adults, and children at the MAC to include all aspects of programming, planning, creating lesson plans, set up and clean up, evaluation, and follow up. Types of programs include, but are not limited to, Next Generation of Conservationists programs, public programs, summer and vacation camps, youth hunter education camps, school field trips, Scout programs, after-school programs, outreach programs, teacher training workshops, hikes, snowshoe hikes, paddles and driving tours.
• Engage new audiences in Audubon’s conservation action programs to have significant bird conservation impact and broaden Audubon’s network.
• Work to incorporate equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging into our educational programming. Participate fully and productively in staff meetings, planning efforts, and other shared staff duties.
• Create interpretive materials, such as educational brochures and displays for the public.
• Work with the MAC Director and other Environmental Educator on all aspects of MAC programming, including promotion, registration, scheduling, pre-visit communication of programs, prepare teacher curriculum packets, development of education materials, classroom and field site maintenance, and curriculum development.
• Conduct community science and conservation action projects and other monitoring of sites in the Montezuma Wetlands Complex that adds to the data and ecological knowledge of the sites.
• Collect and care for inanimate and live collections; acquire, create, and maintain educational artifacts, equipment, and supplies. Duties may include researching, purchasing, maintaining, and storing such equipment and supplies.
• Interact with and work with the general public: Audubon members, teachers, board members, and government officials. This includes answering phones, fielding natural history questions, and performing other administrative duties.
• Grow the Center’s programs, including outdoor recreation programs, such as hikes, paddles, snowshoe hikes and cross-country ski trips.
• Assist with the preparation and distribution of newsletters, flyers, and proposals.
• Articulate the missions of the National Audubon Society, Audubon Connecticut/New York, Montezuma Audubon Center, and the Friends of the Montezuma Wetlands Complex to the community.
• Participate in Audubon New York’s strategic planning process and Montezuma Audubon Center conservation planning efforts.
• Other job-related duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Environmental Interpretation, Education, Natural Sciences, Outdoor Recreation, or related field and
• 2+ years’ experience developing and conducting education and outreach activities for all age groups and diverse audiences.
• Knowledge of, and commitment to, the conservation of birds and other wildlife and their habitats, as well as basic natural history and environmental science.
• Demonstrated experience working with groups of children, adults, and families.
• Experience with developing guided and self-guided interpretive tools and programs preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, as well as strong organizational, time-management, and judgment skills. Must be self-motivated, detail-oriented with the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Proficient in basic office administration.
• Must possess a valid New York state driver's license, or the ability to obtain one in a timely manner.
• Obtain First Aid, CPR, AED, certifications and maintain certifications.
• Ability to traverse all the major pathways and trails of the MAC and on uneven terrain, lift up to 50 lbs. with or without accommodation, and knowledge of proper paddling techniques a must.
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including weekends and evenings, as requested.