Outreach and Environmental Education Associate, Dangermond Preserve

The Nature Conservancy•Santa Barbara, CA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Dangermond Preserve Outreach and Environmental Education Associate supports the design, delivery, and expansion of the outreach programs and partnership engagement activities at the Jack and Laura Dangermond Preserve, with a primary focus on environmental education. The Outreach and Environmental Education Associate helps connect diverse audiences to the Dangermond Preserve’s mission through educational programming, community engagement, and public-facing communication. The Associate provides essential skills to lead environmental education programs such as collaborating with school district and teacher partners, managing effective curriculum development, and designing impactful education pathways for local youth. The Associate will also support broader outreach priorities, including Chumash engagement, managed public access, and volunteer programs, while amplifying the science, restoration, and stewardship work happening across the Dangermond Preserve.

Requirements

BA/BS, law or business degree and 5 years of experience in natural resource management or related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
Experience managing contracts with external parties and/or volunteers to support program implementation.
Experience managing multiple priorities, with assignments sometimes coming from a few sources and work independently.
Experience communicating with the public and/or media both in writing and verbally.
Experience using applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Web Browsers.
Experience in training and curriculum design.

Nice To Haves

Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural or cross-cultural experience appreciated.
Working knowledge of current trends in environmental education, citizen science, Next Generation Science Standards.
Knowledge of land management conservation practice and conservation science.
Ability to explain conservation practices to technical and non-technical audiences.
Knowledge of current trends and practices in conservation, land management, and natural resource preservation.
Demonstrated commitment to cultural competency and social-emotional learning.
Familiarity with Santa Barbara County.
Excellent communication skills via written, spoken and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
Strong administrative skills including attention to detail and numerical ability.
Ability to plan, administer and record results of work-team meetings and activities.

Responsibilities

Leads the delivery of established environmental education programs, while applying creativity and effective collaboration to develop and test new approaches.
Works with local communities to identify key partners for program delivery and implementation.
Partners with leaders in science and education to continue developing lesson plans and curriculum specific to the Preserve.
Assists with seasonal outreach cycles by coordinating logistics, materials, and on-site support while balancing ecological integrity with public access.
Help maintain a welcoming, safe, and inclusive visitor experience.
Financial responsibility may include working within/managing a budget to complete projects, negotiating and contracting with vendors, assisting with budget development, and meeting fundraising targets.
Ensures program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.
Under minimal supervision, makes independent decisions based on analysis, experience and context.
May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
Expected to be on site once per week and occasionally 2-4 times per week.
Will occasionally attend community events in the Santa Barbara County area.