Conservation Action Facilitator

Shedd Aquarium • CHicago, Illinois • 1w ago

SUMMARY:

Facilitates Shedd’s conservation action programs that mobilize people and communities take action restore and protect the environment. Strategies include engaging communities in environmental restoration and cleanups, fostering collective behavior change, and advancing equitable sustainability efforts that benefit people and wildlife. The facilitator leads the day-to-day execution of Shedd’s conservation action programs and efforts, focusing on issues such as habitat restoration, single-use plastic reduction and litter prevention, climate change and others. The facilitator will spend a significant amount of their time offsite in communities and in nature. The schedule for this position is Tuesday through Saturday, with occasional evenings.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Demonstrate commitment to Shedd’s vision, mission and values.

Program Facilitation

Facilitate and independently lead conservation action events (e.g. habitat restoration workdays, webinars, event tabling, beach clean-ups, etc.)

Create content and hands-on activities for conservation action events.

Work fluidly with conservation action team to execute program operations, including but not limited to supply management and logistics, program set-up and breakdown, driving a Shedd, personal, and/or rental vehicle, activity instruction, and participant monitoring and engagement.

Develop conservation action programming to meet the diverse needs of different audiences. Reduce barriers and increase access for diverse communities to participate in and inform conservation action efforts.

Ensure best practices and safety protocols are followed at all times during events to ensure fun and safe experiences.

Engagement

Build relationships with new and returning program participants, volunteers, and community-based organizations.

Actively foster a sense of community, connection, and belonging among program participants.

Engage with and listen to community members, leaders, and organizations to inform Shedd’s conservation action programs.

Implement tactics that educate, inspire, and mobilize people to take action.

Support Shedd’s relationships with key external stakeholders including corporate groups, partner organizations, and Shedd supporters.

Program Administration & Support

Provide administrative support to Conservation Action Manager and/or Coordinators through program communications, including but not limited to program planning, registration and evaluation.

Track all program waivers and metrics for achieving conservation goals in an organized and timely manner.

Communicate metrics to partner organizations as needed.

Prepare, organize, and track program supplies, communicate ground transportation needs to coordinator and maintain careful tracking of all expenses.

Support collaborative efforts with other Shedd departments, including but not limited to Corporate Relations, Learning Programs, Community Partnerships and Impact, and Public Relations teams.

Represent Shedd’s conservation programs for internal and external audiences.

Communications

Deliver Shedd messaging to foster conservation connection and ethic in diverse audiences.

Stay current and build expertise on local and global environmental issues such as but not limited to plastic pollution, climate change, environmental justice, applied conservation and habitat restoration, general sustainable practices, and other related topics.

Stay up to date on science-based, environmental policies and share calls to action with appropriate Shedd conservation audiences

Develop visual and written content to share with Shedd audiences, collaborators and partners that aligns with Shedd’s mission and stance on conservation issues, including climate change, plastic use, habitat and biodiversity loss, etc.

Support and advise other Shedd teams in building understanding and expertise on conservation issues and communications.

As needed, create compelling content for Shedd’s social media channels and Surge communications—Shedd’s monthly conservation newsletter and catalyst for action--as a content expert, writer, and strategic thought partner.

Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Conservation, Science, Education, Non-Profit Management, or related field or a combination of related experience and education/training.

Experience:

Minimum of 1-2 years of experience with environmental restoration or stewardship work

Experience with program delivery or education, preferably in conservation or outdoor education.

Experience upholding safety procedures and managing volunteers.

Experience with community science and science communication a plus.

Special Knowledge/Skills:

Demonstrated ability to handle large workload in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

Excellent written communication skills and a talent for planning and tracking data and activities.

Aware of current, local, national and international conservation issues, with the ability to effectively and clearly communicate them to various audiences.

Understanding of Chicago region ecology a plus.

Proficient with Microsoft Office suite.

Other Skills:

Ability to work as part of a team a must.

A love of working with people and the outdoors is necessary!

Positive attitude and supportive to colleagues in a team-based environment.

Driven, highly organized self-starter.

Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and remain flexible and positive despite challenges (e.g., weather conditions, changes in group size, etc.)

Appreciation for and strong attention to detail.

Poised, articulate professional with diplomacy, a sense of humor, and a positive attitude. A lifelong learner.

Physical Requirements:

Must be comfortable working outdoors with minimal amenities – including shelter – in all weather.

Must be able to work flexible hours including early mornings and Saturdays.

Must be able to walk/stand/sit for extended periods of time.

Must have valid driver’s license and willingness to drive company vehicle in city, suburban, and rural settings.

Must be able to do heavy lifting (up to 50 lbs.).

Designations/Certifications: Required at time of hire or must be willing and able to obtain within the first six months of employment.

CPR and First Aid certification.

Forest Preserves of Cook County Volunteer Workday Leadership Certification.

Illinois Pesticide Applicator or Operator license.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Ability to read, write, speak and comprehend English fluently.

Ability to read, write, speak and comprehend Spanish fluently preferred.

Ability to write professional business correspondence.

Ability to read and comprehend complex instructions given from written and oral sources.

Ability to effectively present information to and collaborate with all levels of employees.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to understand basic mathematical relationships and formulas.

Ability to understand and employ intermediate level accounting mathematics.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to work with little or no supervision.

Ability to work within a team environment.

Ability to use common sense techniques in solving problems.

Ability to use diplomacy and tact when dealing with problems.

Ability to identify problems and determine the best course of action for their resolution.

Ability to critically evaluate information for accuracy and usefulness in solving problems.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Lift up to 50 pounds

Stand

Stoop

Walk

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This person may be exposed to:

Water

Smoke

Heat

Cold

Air particles

Falling materials

Hazardous chemicals

Fire

Emergency vehicle traffic

Low noise

Moderate Noise

Loud Noise

We strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ community, veterans and active duty military, parents, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from all cultural backgrounds to apply. Shedd Aquarium is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team.

If you need a reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process, please let us know. In your application, please feel free to select which pronouns you use (For example – she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/theirs).