Bilingual Program Educator and Summer Program Coordinator

Blandford Nature Center • Grand Rapids, MI

4d • $0 - $21 • Hybrid

About The Position

This year-round position combines teaching academic education programs to school groups (Weekdays from 8:00 am-2:00 pm, September-May) with facilitating community education programs for adults and families. The role requires proficiency in both English and Spanish for all job aspects. Occasional weeknights and Saturdays are expected. From May to August, the position transitions to include Summer Program Coordinator duties while continuing as a Program Educator. The Summer Coordinator is responsible for scheduling and planning recreational and educational environmental programming in parks and community spaces throughout Kent County. This role also involves coaching a part-time summer seasonal Program Educator to implement off-site and on-site community programs. The Programs Team at Blandford Nature Center offers a variety of programming to the West Michigan community, including field trips for preschool and elementary students, and year-round community programs such as arts and crafts, nature and STEM, bilingual (Spanish) programs, and Michigan history. Program Educators participate in all program content, with potential to focus on specific areas based on their skillsets.

Requirements

• Bilingual in English and Spanish, including reading and writing is a requirement
• Coursework and/or experience in the fields of outdoor recreation, youth development, education, environmental or natural sciences or other related disciplines
• Previous experience working with children and adults in a non-formal education environment
• Ability to communicate factual, scientific information simply and enthusiastically to a broad audience
• Demonstrated ability to implement standard outdoor risk group management techniques
• Comfort with and ability to work effectively outdoors, in all types of weather, for extended time periods
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Positive role model in attitude and behavior
• Successfully pass required background checks
• Must maintain a valid driver’s license and clean driving record and be willing to operate a Blandford vehicle
• Basic knowledge of Google Workspace or similar software
• Ability to move teaching materials, bins and equipment up to 30 lbs, overhead, on/off shelves and in/out of wagons
• Ability to pull a wagon weighing up to 50 pounds over uneven terrain
• While performing the duties of this job, the staff member is regularly required to hike, bend stand and twist for 60 minutes or more
• Ability to work outdoors in a variety of conditions; including extreme temperatures and maneuver over wet, brushy, muddy, steep trail surfaces and uneven terrain
• Ability to work effectively independently, part of a programs team, and all BNC staff and volunteers
• Convey passion and enthusiasm while sharing about nature and the outdoor environment
• Flexibility in leading a broad variety of nature programming to all audiences of all ages
• Demonstrate initiative and problem solving; taking calculated risks with the programming department
• Demonstrate sound judgement in decision making

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in youth development, outdoor recreation, parks and recreation management, or education
• Bilingual (Spanish and English) conversational and written communication skills are a strong plus

Responsibilities

• Lead outdoor environmental education programs for school and youth groups at Blandford Nature Center year round
• Lead in the delivery of community education programs for children, adults and families
• Maintain high standards of safety and well-being of program participants
• Assist in the development of environmental education curriculum and materials, including lesson plans and learning aids
• Assist in documentation and evaluation of all programs, including participant demographics, satisfaction and program effectiveness
• Assist in the maintenance and storage of program equipment, supplies and facilities
• Assist with organization-wide special events and community programs as a member of the Programs Team
• Maintain a high level of professionalism and safety when working directly with animal ambassadors
• Assist with other program duties as assigned
• Provide interpretation at festivals, community events, and other specialty programming as needed
• Assist in the development of community programs and materials, including lesson plans and festival planning
• Lead the coordination, scheduling and delivery of ongoing off-site programs at local parks and other identified community sites
• Use BNC’s registration system to schedule off-site programs, monitor registrations, communicate with registrants, and prepare program rosters
• Assist in planning marketing needs for off-site programs
• Assist in the purchasing, maintenance and storage of program equipment, supplies and facilities
• Collaborate with Programs Manager to hire, train and coach one seasonal Program Educator to deliver summer programs both on-site and off-site
• Lead outdoor educational and recreational programs at Blandford and at off-site settings
• Revise community summer programs curriculum as needed
• Assess curriculum relevance for the community
• Broaden the scope of BNC’s summer program offerings, when possible

Benefits

• paid holidays
• accrued paid time off
• free BNC membership
• participation in a SIMPLE IRA plan with an up to 3% employer match

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed