Environmental Educator
(This is a temporary seasonal position from June 3 to August 9, 2024)
Organization Description:
Since 1981, the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy (Parks Conservancy) has served as the nonprofit partner of the National Park Service, collaborating with the Presidio Trust, partners, donors, and the community to support the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA). The GGNRA stretches across three Bay Area counties north and south of the Golden Gate Bridge and includes iconic places such as Muir Woods National Monument, Fort Point National Historic Site, Alcatraz Island, Crissy Field, Mori Point, Lands End, and the Presidio of San Francisco.
The Parks Conservancy engages at the intersection of national park sites, local communities, social justice, and climate resilience. Collaborating with partners, our staff are dedicated to enhancing public awareness and providing volunteer and educational opportunities in the parks. We are park builders, caretakers, ambassadors and educators, all working to connect people to parks in support of our vision Parks for All Forever. Join us.
Department Description:
Conservancy Youth Programs encourage new generations to become bold leaders for thriving parks, healthy communities, and a more environmentally just society. We prioritize individuals, groups, and communities that national parks and conservation organizations have failed to previously engage. Our programs focus on learning about social and environmental issues and building leadership skills that can contribute to positive change. Our department is located at the Crissy Field Center in the Presidio, San Francisco.
Position Overview:
The term for this position is June 3, 2024 to August 9, 2024.
The Environmental Educator is responsible for supporting the Conservancy’s Youth Programs Managers in the facilitation of leadership and education programs for local youth. The Environmental Educator facilitates activities centering around environmental science, environmental justice, service learning, outdoor experiences, visual art, wellness, and leadership development. Programs take place at the Crissy Field Center, in parks, at schools, and in communities of the youth we serve.
During the summer (June-August), the Environmental Educator will primarily support one or more of the following Youth Leadership programs:
•Urban Trailblazers (UTB) Middle School Program
•Linking Individuals to their Natural Communities (LINC) High School Program
During the summer, the Environmental Educator typically works a Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5pm schedule. There is the possibility of having daily schedules shifted to accommodate programming needs. The Environmental Educator is expected to support with the facilitation of 3 or more overnight camping trips each year.
The Environmental Educator works primarily in-person and is based at the Crissy Field Center in the Presidio. Any work from home or other remote work will be limited and will require supervisor approval.
For Summer 2024, the Youth Programs Department is prioritizing candidates who:
•Can facilitate programming, connect with youth, and communicate with youth’s families in Spanish.
•Has experience facilitating project-based learning, especially in digital media and art
Not having these skills will not disqualify applicants from consideration.
Reports To: Environmental Educators report to one of the Youth Programs Managers.
Key Responsibilities:
This is an education and youth development position that includes the instruction and mentorship of youth and program support to the multiple youth-serving programs.
Program Development and Delivery
•Leads youth participants in outdoor activities such as hiking, backpacking, camping, team-building activities, service learning, and environmental education lessons.
•Delivers project-based learning curriculum for youth.
•Facilitates in-classroom activities and presentations.
•Assists with lesson planning.
•Facilitates overnight camping trips with youth. Assists with program planning for overnight programs.
•Creates a physically and emotionally safe space for youth to engage in the outdoors
•Prepares materials for activities. Cleans up after activities.
•Drives work vehicles and is responsible for passenger safety and supervision during transport.
Youth Mentorship and Supervision
•Supports program managers in developing short-term and long-term goals for youth. Supports youth in developing and completing work plans.
•Models healthy and supportive behavior for youth participants.
•Facilitate lessons that support leadership and professional career skills for youth participants.
•With direction from program managers, it provides positive and constructive feedback to youth.
Collaboration and Coordination
•Supports program managers in planning and scheduling with program partners.
•Supports program managers in youth participant outreach.
•Supports with program documentation, evaluation, and reporting.
•Supports with program administration and logistics, including using online systems such as Microsoft Office and Google Drive.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
•Commitment to education, youth development, and social justice: Awareness of environmental justice issues. Can make connections between environmental and social issues. Supports youth-led advocacy.
•Interest in working with communities historically excluded from environmental experiences and careers in the Bay Area, including low income and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) communities.
•Ability to connect with diverse groups of youth, especially middle school and high school aged youth. Interest and ability to make curriculum relevant to youth audiences.
•Teamwork: Supports team and program goals, balances team and individual responsibilities. Ability to collaborate and co-lead programs. Receives direction and feedback in a constructive manner.
•Good Judgment: Able to analyze calculated risks while prioritizing the safety of both staff and youth. Includes appropriate staff and/or community members in the decision-making process.
•Flexibility: Can adjust priorities as the team’s needs change. Can work in a variety of outdoor and indoor environments as well as with a variety of age groups. Can adapt to a flexible work schedule that does include some evening, weekend, and overnight work. Able to adapt programs on the spot based on youth needs.
•Leadership: exhibits confidence in self and others; inspires and motivates others to perform well.
Education and/or Experience:
•High School Diploma or equivalent.
•One or more school years working with elementary, middle school, or high school students.
•Experience working with diverse groups of youth. This includes multiple dimensions of diversity such as race/ethnicity, income, language, physical ability, sexuality, gender identity, and neurodiversity.
•Experience, strong interest, or education in environmental education, child development, recreation, or other related fields.
•Experience (personal or professional) with one or more of the of the following: facilitation, leading small groups, visual arts, digital media, science, or outdoor recreation.
•Spanish language abilities prioritized.
•Due to the nature of this position, we require the Live Scan fingerprint clearance in addition to the standard pre-employment background check.
Licenses:
•Valid Driver’s License. Employees must have a clean driving record.
•CPR and First Aid certification - will assist upon hire.
Health and Safety:
It is the goal of the Parks Conservancy to create and maintain a safe and healthy workplace. We work to mitigate hazards and risks that may cause harm to employees, consistent with state and federal laws. Employees play an active role in creating a safe and healthy workplace and are expected to comply with all applicable health and safety rules.
Based on the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Parks Conservancy requires all employees to be vaccinated and to provide proof of such vaccination as a condition of employment.
Physical Requirements and Work Environment:
•Works primarily in-person and is based at the Crissy Field Center in the Presidio. Any remote work is planned with other department staff and requires supervisor's approval.
•Work is performed in multiple settings, including at a desk in an office, in front of a computer, in indoor teaching spaces such as classrooms, and in outdoor settings such as parks.
•Ability to hike 5 miles on uneven terrain.
•Work is often performed standing or walking with a backpack.
•Frequently lifts, carries, and positions objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
•Occasionally sits at a computer station for up to 3-4 hours.
•Regularly drives youth and staff in work vehicles.
Pay Rate: This is a temporary, seasonal, non-benefitted, full-time position. The pay rate is $24/hour (Pay Grade 8).
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Application review will begin by early March, 2024.