Program Educator and Summer Program Coordinator

Blandford Nature Center • Grand Rapids, MI

4d • $0 - $20 • 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. Occasional weeknights and Saturdays are required. In the late spring and summer season (May-August), this position transitions into conducting Summer Program Coordinator duties while continuing as a Program Educator. The Summer Coordinator is responsible for scheduling and planning recreational and educational environmental programming for parks and community spaces throughout Kent County. Additionally, the position coaches a part-time summer seasonal Program Educator to implement off-site programming and on-site community programs at BNC throughout the summertime. The Programs Team at Blandford Nature Center offers a wide array of programming to the West Michigan community. Much of the school year (September-May) is dedicated to field trip programming for preschool and elementary-aged students. They also offer year-round programming to the general community, including arts and crafts programs, nature and STEM-focused programming, bilingual (Spanish) programming, and Michigan history-focused programming. Program Educators at BNC participate in all of the varying program content but may focus on specific areas depending on their personal skillsets.

Requirements

• 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: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed