Environmental Education & Community Outreach Coordinator

City of Atlanta•Atlanta, GA

About The Position

The City of Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is seeking an Environmental Education & Outreach Coordinator to join our dynamic team within the Office of Natural Resources. The successful candidate will play a key role in environmental programming and outreach activities associated with the City in a Forest: Protecting Atlanta’s Legacy grant, a joint project of DPR and the Department of City Planning (DCP), which will create Atlanta’s first comprehensive Urban Forest Master Plan. The position is supported by an Urban and Community Forestry Grant (August 2024-August 2029) funded by the Inflation Reduction Act – USDA Forest Service and is focused on work in disadvantaged areas of Atlanta, as defined by the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST). Responsibilities will include carrying out environmental education, outreach, and engagement to fulfill the grant requirements and support the City’s Urban Forest Master Plan; developing and expanding DPR’s environmental education and programming offerings; assessing community access to nature and identifying and prioritizing strategies for addressing barriers to access; and expanding efforts to increase public awareness, improve urban forest stewardship, and strengthen urban and community forest health in Atlanta. Supervision Received Reports to the Arboricultural Manager for Natural Areas and Land Management in the Office of Natural Resources with guidance from other offices in the Department as well as other City departments. This position is capable of carrying out most assignments under very general supervision and direction. May work independently or with other skilled or semi-skilled workers with responsibility for completion of assigned tasks.

Requirements

Strong interpersonal skills
Education program development expertise
Exceptional time management skills
Demonstrated interest in urban forestry and natural areas.
Excellent written and verbal communication
Excellent project management skills with the ability to independently coordinate and lead multiple projects simultaneously with a focus on quality and project follow-through.
Attention to detail and good problem-solving skills.
Associate's degree in ecology, environmental science, biology, forestry, education or related fields. Equivalent professional experience may be considered for the required degree on an exception basis.
Familiarity with native ecosystems of Atlanta and surrounding area.
Experience with program coordination, public outreach, or community engagement.
3 years of work experience developing and implementing environmental programming, policy development, or outreach.
Must possess and maintain a valid Georgia driver’s license.
This job may require walking on uneven terrain both on and off trails within forested natural areas.
Need to be able to lift 50 lbs.
Must be willing and able to travel on foot into large, undeveloped forested parcels.
This job will require some evening and weekend work.

Nice To Haves

4+ years of experience developing and implementing environmental programming, policy, or outreach.
Experience working with volunteers.
Experience working with grants.
Experience with GIS.

Responsibilities

Implement required activities for the Urban and Community Forestry grant and City of Atlanta Urban Forest Master Plan
Plan, coordinate, and implement educational and recreational programs and activities in nature preserves and natural areas four times per year.
Assist in developing and administering community-wide surveys to collect information about knowledge, perception, and needs related to urban forestry and access to nature.
Assist in selecting 25 neighborhood ambassadors and contractors to administer urban forest community interviews; coordinate the work of the ambassadors in coordination with a contractor.
Work with a team to evaluate, award, distribute, oversee implementation of, and collect grant reporting for 10 microgrants to empower communities to implement programming that engages residents with nature and urban trees.
Collaborate with other staff in DCP and DPR to coordinate community participation in restoration of the Native Waters watershed mural.
Develop environmental programming related to the restoration of the Native Waters mural, including creating a self-guided tour, educational materials about the flora and fauna associated with the watershed, and a dedication event.
Develop factsheets about Atlanta’s urban forest and findings of the urban forestry assessments.
Work with community groups and partners to name unnamed creeks and tributaries to better connect the public to nature.
Identify and work with a contractor to design stream and watershed signage.
Identify locations for stream and watershed signage in parks and oversee installation.
Help manage and oversee community engagement efforts for the Urban Forest Master Plan.
Lead public meetings and contribute to Urban Forest Master Plan stakeholder meetings.
Perform various clerical and administrative tasks in support of the grant and Urban Forest Master Plan.
Help develop and expand DPR’s environmental programming and education offerings in collaboration with community partners
Work with communications team to develop and distribute educational and public relations materials such as content for website, social media, newsletters, flyers, brochures, and program calendars informing the public about local ecology, public natural areas, trail access, watersheds, native plants, urban forestry, outdoor recreation, environmental programming opportunities, and other environmental resources.
Work with internal, external, and community partners to assess community needs, and identify resource gaps, and knowledge gaps; define roles and develop strategic plan for collaboration to deliver urban forestry and nature-based education.
Help develop short- and long-term goals for environmental education and recreational programs for DPR.
Assist in the planning, coordination, and implementation of Office of Natural Resources’ annual events including Georgia Arbor Day, Earth Day, and City Nature Challenge.
Work with DPR Office of Recreation, DPR Office of Partnerships and Enterprise, DPR Office of Parks, DCP, the Tree Conservation Commission, Department of Watershed Management, Thrive Outside Atlanta, and other partners to identify ways to expand environmental programming and training opportunities for DPR.
Once opportunities have been identified, work with DPR Office of Recreation, DPR Office of Partnerships and Enterprise, and DPR Office of Parks to implement.
Coordinate cross-departmental collaborative meetings and planning sessions related to existing and potential plans and projects.
Work with Thrive Outside Atlanta Network and DPR GIS staff to determine community access to nature.
Work with partners to identify, prioritize, and develop strategies for addressing barriers to access including land acquisition, site improvements, and activation.
Co-facilitate meetings to build coalitions to improve nature access in the City of Atlanta.