Environmental Educator
Type: Independent Contractor
Employment Classification: Exempt
Application Period: Open until filled
Start Date: July 2024
Reports to: Education Manager
Salary: $15.00 - $15.50/hour
Trees Atlanta is looking for a temporary Environmental Educator to assist in delivering in-school curriculum to Atlanta area schools. The position may also include serving as a counselor during school break, spring break, and summer camps, as well as occasional family programs.
What You Will Do:
School Programs
- Facilitate curriculum and activities in Atlanta area schools focused on the urban forest.
- Teach environmental lessons utilizing inquiry-based and three-dimensional learning focused on STEAM topics.
- Lead Service Learning Projects along the Atlanta BeltLine Arboretum.
- Set up and organize materials according to lesson plans.
- Lead field trips on the Atlanta BeltLine Arboretum.
- Potential for after-school programming including planning and leading activities.
Youth and Family Programs
- Be responsible for leading outdoor and indoor classes and activities (e.g., bike rides, tree ID, orienteering, art, tree planting, invasive removal & mulching, etc.).
- Assist in creating a fun blend of environmental education, outdoor exploration, and urban forest stewardship in local greenspaces.
- Supervise and guide campers at all times including on bike rides on the Atlanta BeltLine while ensuring camper safety.
- Potential to lead weekend scout and family programs.
- Tracking education interactions, as well as pre/post test data for school visits.
- Additional Duties as assigned.
Schedule
- The schedule for this position is variable and dependent on school calendars and schedules. The majority of hours throughout the year will be dedicated to Urban TreeTracker in-school visits. Other hours will be dedicated to school break camps (fall, winter, spring, and summer included) and weekend programming. See below for more details. Position will work between 10 - 20 hours per week on average (slow seasons include the holiday time frame) with camps running up to 40 hours a week
- Urban TreeTracker: 7am – 3pm (Monday - Friday)
- School Break Camps: 7:30am – 5:30pm, Variable Shifts (October, February, March, April)
- (Optional) Summer Camp: 7:30am - 5:30pm, Variable shifts, Monday-Friday (May 26-July 31)
- Weekend Programming: occasional weekday evenings or weekend days as needed
What You’ll Need:
- At least 18 years old and older
- Ability to engage children in K-12 grade levels with environmental education
- Knowledge of forestry, horticulture, botany, natural systems and/or willingness to learn
- Have excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- Experience working with underserved populations
- Have reliable transportation (schools are not always accessible by public transportation)
- Must be able to ride a bike; bike repair knowledge helpful
- Be self-motivated and enthusiastic
- Familiarity with the Atlanta Public School system is a plus
- Prior camp counselor experience preferred
- Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and Google Apps
To Apply
Please submit an employment application. Applicants must upload a cover letter and a resume in order to complete and submit the application. In your cover letter you may share a camp or school experience from childhood, your interest in environmental education, interest in working with underserved communities, etc.
Candidates selected to move forward in the process will be contacted to set-up a brief phone call to answer any questions regarding the position following completion of application (resume and cover letter.) Candidates will then be selected to move forward with an interview. This interview will take place with two education team members. The final two candidates will be asked to submit at least 3 references before a conditional offer will be extended.
Background Check and Drug Screening Disclaimer:
- All final candidates will be required to pass both a criminal background check and drug screening; adverse results will impact hiring (Trees Atlanta is a participant in the Federal Drug-Free Workplace program).
- All new hires will be required to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the United States of America. Trees Atlanta in compliance with regulation set by the Department of Homeland Security. Trees Atlanta is a registered E-Verify employer.