ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATOR FT

New Haven Ecology Project Inc•New Haven, CT

7d•$45,000 - $48,000•Onsite

About The Position

This position works 40 hours per week and may be assigned to any schedule that our programs operate on, including weekends and weekdays, with hours between 8 AM - 6 PM. The assigned schedule will be consistent for the school year (same days/hours each week), and changes for June - August. The schedule assignment will be made based on program need. Possible program assignments include: SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS welcome classes of children from local schools to Common Ground to connect with nature! We serve preK through 8th grade. Trip topics include hikes, farm to table pizza making, campfire cooking, farm tours, wetland science, nature based play, sheep and wool, maple sugaring, and other seasonal specialty topics. An outline and learning concepts are provided for each trip and field trip teachers also draw on their own knowledge of the natural world to enrich the participant experience. The KIDS UNPLUGGED AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM gets children in grades K - 6 playing and learning outside after school! This is primarily a play based program that includes both unstructured playtime and teacher directed activities and experiences as part of the program. Staff might supervise a campfire in the winter woods, lead a flashlight hike after sunset, cook with foods from the farm, facilitate imaginative play and fort building in the forest, work with children to walk goats and care for chickens, and many other kinds of nature based experiences! The NATUREYEAR FOREST SCHOOL PROGRAM creates small communities of children and staff who learn and play in nature from Sept - June for one full day each week. Like Kids Unplugged, NatureYear operates outside in all (safe) weather. NatureYear is a full day, with children attending from 9 AM - 3 PM, so there is time for more structured, content based activities as well as for imagination, exploration, and play. NatureYear Teachers may have skills in a variety of areas including naturalist skills, cooking, building and tinkering, nature arts, cooperative games and community building, outdoor and survival skills, and more! NatureYear includes children ages 4 - 15+, so staff who are especially skilled with a specific age range (early childhood, elementary, middle school) are all needed. Our SCHOOLYARDS work takes nature into local public schools! A typical Schoolyards Teacher schedule includes one or more full days per week at a local school. It is like being the art or gym teacher, but you get to be the nature specialist! Schoolyards Teachers plan and lead their own activities and often see all age groups at the school (elementary and middle) over their scheduled sessions. It is a great way to bring the joy of outdoor learning and exploration to local children who may not have the opportunity to come to our campus. SEEDLINGS CLASS is for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with a parent or other caregiver. Seedlings Teachers offer themed classes focused on nature exploration, including hands-on activities, music, movement, and stories. WEEKEND PROGRAMS: We are open every Saturday and Sunday for Open Farm Day, Family Programs, Guided Hikes, Birthday Parties, and more! Weekend staff run programs and are also responsible for overall campus care and supervision, including animal and garden care and opening and closing campus. This position is part of the Community Programs Team and is supervised by the Director of Community Programs.

Requirements

A minimum of 5 years (full time or cumulative seasonal equivalent) of experience with planning and leading nature based lessons and activities for groups of children, primarily focused on ages 4 - 12
A minimum of 5 years (full time or cumulative seasonal equivalent) of experience in a lead role that has primary responsibility for the care of children in an outdoor setting, including meeting social and emotional needs of children, positive behavior management, setting group routines and group culture, and modifying to meet the needs of individual children.
Experience with developing ongoing relationships with parents and other caregivers, including day-to-day conversations, responding to parent/guardian emails, and participating in more formal conversations like parent-teacher conferences or other ways of sharing student experience and learning
Enthusiasm for both teacher-led learning and for supervising play, imagination, and child-led activities, understanding that both of these are important parts of the program.
Use excellent communication skills, including speaking with children, adults, and coworkers.
Use strong critical thinking and problem solving skills and sound judgment as part of routine daily work.
Willingness to be flexible and work with the day’s teaching team to adapt plans to the ages, weather conditions, and other needs of the day
Commitment to working joyfully and inclusively with children and adults of all identities, with much of our work serving a racially and economically diverse urban community.
Work in a setting with farm animals as well as native wildlife including insects, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and birds.
Use technology including google products (email, docs, forms, calendar, other), and any other technology as required for the role. Respond to emails and other communications in a timely manner.
Engage in the physical requirements of this role, including being physically active for the majority of a scheduled work shift, safely navigating outdoor terrain that includes uneven and unpaved surfaces, sitting on the ground, carrying a backpack with teaching supplies, and teaching outside in weather conditions including heat, rain, cold, and snow.
Verifiable work history that includes consistent attendance and punctuality, positive relationships with coworkers, and attitude and behaviors that contribute to a professional, productive workplace.

Responsibilities

Planning and leading nature based lessons and activities for groups of children, primarily focused on ages 4 - 12
Lead role that has primary responsibility for the care of children in an outdoor setting, including meeting social and emotional needs of children, positive behavior management, setting group routines and group culture, and modifying to meet the needs of individual children.
Developing ongoing relationships with parents and other caregivers, including day-to-day conversations, responding to parent/guardian emails, and participating in more formal conversations like parent-teacher conferences or other ways of sharing student experience and learning
Participation in ongoing staff development and meetings as scheduled for the Environmental Education team
Ongoing commitment to fostering a safe and inclusive learning space for children and coworkers
Work to support the overall operations of the non-profit programs as needed and available. This may include animal care, maintenance of program teaching and play areas, garden care, and work in any of our programs for children and families.