Environmental Education Coordinator/Naturalist

DICKINSON COUNTY JOB DESCRIPTION  

JOB TITLE:        Environmental Education Coordinator/Naturalist

FLSA:                                    Non-Exempt

REPORTS TO:                    Executive Director

DATE APPROVED:                         

Job Summary: Under supervision of Executive Director, supervises and conducts educational activities and educational staff in the performance of environmental awareness curriculum.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:  

Leads and assists in the development of environmental education (E.E.) programs for schools that meet Iowa Core Standards, youth and adult groups and the general public.

Supervises environmental education (E.E.) staff for the Conservation Board to provide learning opportunities to the public on environmental issues.

Assist with hiring E.E. staff, providing job training, assigning work duties and schedules, and evaluating work performance.

Establishes work priorities and schedules in order to accomplish department goals and objectives by reviewing Conservation Board directives, evaluating resources and communicating instructions and assignments to E.E. staff.

Prepares budget in order to assist in budgetary decision-making by making cost projections, estimating staff wages, determining costs of supplies, materials and equipment for environmental services.

Responsible for establishing effective working relationships with groups, organizations, general public, and colleagues. Develop and implement procedures for property integration into the overall E.E. program.

Works with Executive Director and Staff to schedule events in or on building and grounds. Assists with fundraising and grant writing for E.E. programs.

Performs other job related activities as requested by Executive Director.

Responsible for promotion of the Conservation Board’s environmental education program to schools and civic groups.

Responsible for developing educational materials such as handouts and posters.

Attend meetings to voice Conservation Board views on environmental issues.

Assists with fundraising activities for E.E. projects.  

Additional Responsibilities: The essential duties and responsibilities are not to be construed as a complete statement of all duties performed. Employee will be required to perform other job related duties as required.  

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

Knowledge of personnel management practices as related to selection and compensation. Ability to comprehend, analyzes, interpret and explain conservation laws, principles and practices.

Knowledge of accounting as related to maintaining a departmental budget.

Ability to supervise and control the work of subordinate staff.

Knowledge of procurement, administration and accounting of private, state and federal grant sources.

Ability to maintain working relationships with elected officials and with the general public.

Knowledge of educational principals, teaching methods, learning styles and trends.

Ability to write program goals and objectives.

Ability to plan and evaluate programs appropriate for the developmental abilities and needs of program participants and how to integrate awareness, knowledge, attitudes, skill and participation into programs.

Knowledge of school curricula and how to integrate interpretive and environmental programs with them.

Ability to handle visitor complaints or emergency situations courteously and responsively and to be tolerant and respectful of differing opinions.

Knowledge of avenues of communication utilizing types of media such as newspapers, radio, television and internet.

Ability to understand the fundamentals of building mechanics and janitorial needs. Knowledge of natural and cultural history with ability to identify native plants and animals and history.

Knowledge of general outdoor recreation skills such as canoeing, backpacking, orienteering, archery, hunting or hiking. Knowledge of organizations concerned with conservation education and natural history.

Ability to plan and evaluate programs appropriate for the developmental abilities and needs of specific audiences.

Knowledge of management of one or more natural resources including fisheries, wildlife, forestry, agronomy, grasslands and aquatic ecosystems.

Ability to comprehend, analyzes, interpret and explain conservation laws, principals and practices. Ability of prepare news releases, fliers, bulletin boards and other basic publicity.

Ability to operate computers, audiovisual, photographic and other equipment necessary for program delivery. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with groups, organizations, the general public and colleagues.

Qualifications: Graduation from an accredited four year college with a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a professional discipline related to education, business administration, economics, communications, or finance and experience equal to two years of full time work in an E.E., governmental or non-profit facility.

Physical Abilities: Lift, carry, push and/or pull items weighing up to 50 pounds.

2.       Able to clearly exchange information in person and on the telephone

3.       Able to read a variety of materials via a variety of sources.

4.      Possess dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard.

5.       Able to stand, sit, kneel and/or crouch for extended periods of time while working. Climb a stepstool/ladder to reach above shoulder for placement of materials weighing up to 20 pounds.

  Working Conditions: A variety of work in indoor and outdoor settings, including exposure to extremes in temperature and humidity.