Environmental Educator
The Environmental Educator is a valued member of the Living
Classrooms of the National Capital Region team, with a responsibility for
providing environmental education for DC-area students and other educational
and community program services, with the support of the Education
Manager.
About Living Classrooms Foundation
Living Classrooms of the National Capital Region is the DC-based
affiliate of the Living Classrooms Foundation, established in 2001. Living
Classrooms works to strengthen communities and inspire people to achieve their
highest potential through hands-on learning opportunities in education,
workforce development, and health and wellness, often leveraging environmental
assets and maritime resources to serve as “living classrooms.” For more
information, visit livingclassrooms.org.
The Living Classrooms Foundation provides equal employment
opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits
discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color,
religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected
veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other
characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
About the Kingman and Heritage Islands Conservation Area
Kingman and Heritage Islands is a 50-acre State Conservation Area
in the Anacostia River near RFK Stadium. Living Classrooms has managed the area
on behalf of the DC government since 2007.
Core Responsibilities for Environmental Educators:
·Provide
comprehensive environmental education and field trip instruction primarily for
students at Kingman Island and on school grounds of DC-area schools.
Instruction may also take place at the James C. Dent House or at other
locations as assigned.
·Deliver
engaging, hands-on science-based lessons and programs such as field trips,
in-school visits, virtual, or any combination of those. Ensure curriculum is implemented in a consistent manner across
programs, while meeting the needs of different school communities.
·Work with
the Education Manager to develop curricula based on the Meaningful Watershed
Education Experience (MWEE) model and create engaging educational lessons and
activities. Coordinate as needed with school staff to support their learning
objectives.
·As models
change, support the development of curricula based on school needs.
·Communicate
with teachers before, during, and after programs for scheduling and feedback
and to ensure programs are effective,
safe, and efficient. This includes any grant mandated evaluation - written,
informal, or other.
·Facilitate
student feedback before, during, and after programs for comprehension and
impact and to ensure programs are effective, safe, and efficient. This includes
any grant mandated evaluation – written, informal, action project based, or
other.
·Work with
the Education Manager to plan and carry out our Summer Youth Employment Program
(SYEP), traditionally with ages 14-18 in the Junior Rangers program, and up to
age 14-24 in other SYEP programs
·Assist
Education Manager to provide professional development to teachers, as
requested.
·Maintain
and build ongoing partnerships with schools and other organizations that
support environmental student action projects.
·Assemble
and maintain educational supplies necessary for school programs, field trip
programs, and community group participation.
·Follow
safety guidelines to plan and lead informal community events, volunteer
activities, and field trips as needed.
·Support
any LCF-NCR staff by leading or assisting with community paddling sessions on
the Anacostia River. This includes teaching paddling skills to beginner
paddlers of all ages and supervising the safety of participants.
·Assist in
the logistics of a community paddling program, including leading groups and
individuals, monitoring weather conditions, tides, participant registration and
reporting data.
·Prepare,
break down, and clean up facilities for students and visitors to Kingman
Island.
·Occasionally
help to maintain trails and other landscapes and perform other outdoor
maintenance duties on Kingman Island as needed to maintain a safe learning
environment.
·Assist in
other communication and fundraising efforts for LCF-NCR as requested.
·Such
other duties as needed for the operations of the program, the Foundation, or as
assigned by the Managing Director or Education Manager.
Required Skills, Experience, and Other
·BA or BS
degree from an accredited college or university, preferably in environmental
science or education.
·A passion
for nature and working with youth in formal and informal settings.
·Experience
working with elementary, middle school, and/or high school youth in and out of
the classroom, with an emphasis on youth from urban communities.
·Demonstrated
leadership and writing skills.
·Familiarity
with Next Generation Science Standards and Outdoor Education.
·Facility
with the Microsoft suite of tools, including Excel.
·Willingness
to learn to utilize Squarespace and Canva.
·Friendly
and engaging personality, excellent public speaking skills, outdoor classroom
management skills, and the ability to work collaboratively as part of the
Education, Kingman, and LC-NCR teams.
·Reliable
access to a virtual office, as needed.
·Willingness
to work outdoors in all weather conditions.
·Familiarity
with or willingness to learn about grant reporting.
·Ability
to pass federal and state background checks, drug, and TB tests; fully
vaccinated against Covid-19.
·Acknowledge
their ability to perform the Essential Eligibility Requirements of the Green
Boats waiver (linked here: https://www.kingmanisland.com/s/Green-Boats-Waiver-2024.docx)
·Ability
to perform physically demanding tasks and lift over 50 lbs.
·Experience
or interest in working on the Anacostia River, including kayaking, canoeing,
and leading community science programming.
Additional Information
The Environmental Educators report to the Education Manager and
will regularly receive both informal and formal feedback on job performance.
Salary starts at $53,000 annually, plus a full benefits package. LCF-NCR’s
office is located at the James C. Dent Community Center at 156 Q St SW,
Washington, DC. The Kingman and Heritage Islands Conservation Area can be
accessed from RFK Stadium Lot 6, off Oklahoma Avenue in Northeast DC.
Much of the school year's work is expected to take place on the
school grounds of DC elementary and high schools with field trips to Kingman
Island and other DC outdoor locations. Much of the summer education work is
expected to take place on Kingman Island, providing programming with Marion
Barry Summer Youth Employment Program. Environmental Educators must be able to
get to and work from any of these locations in a reliable manner.
LCF-NCR’s principal environmental education format is the
“Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE)” as developed by the NOAA
Bay Watershed Education and Training program, . MWEEs are learner-centered
experiences that focus on investigations into local environmental issues that
lead to informed action and civic engagement. Information on MWEE 101 is housed
on the NAAEE website: https://eepro.naaee.org/learning/mwee-101-introduction-meaningful-watershed-educational-experience.
