Seasonal Outdoor Educator (SNR)

THISIS A PART-TIME TEMPORARY POSITION.

Summary: Primary responsibility is to assist Shaw Nature Reserve education staff with preparing and delivering field trip and virtual programs for preschool through 12thgrade.Responsibilities will include creating, organizing, and cleaning field trip supplies, leading components of in-person or virtual programs, completing projects for field trips and on the Nature Reserve grounds. Seasonal Outdoor Educators will participate in on-going training to learn about ecology, natural history, and educational strategies. This part-time position is based at Shaw Nature Reserve in Gray Summit, MO. Weekly schedule will vary up to a maximum of 20 hours per week.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assists education staff in the development and implementation of school programs at Shaw Nature Reserve, including group facilitation, leading activities, and materials preparation.
• Communicate effectively with diverse age groups, abilities, interest levels, and group sizes.
• Works cohesively with SNR Education staff.
• May assist with Nature Explore Classroom, Dana Brown Outdoor Center grounds, public programs, events, and outreach programs.
• Ensures that all applicable safety standards are followed. Adapts or modifies work methods to reduce hazards. Reports all accidents, injuries and near-miss accidents immediately.
• Behaves and communicates in a manner that fosters a culture of teamwork, cooperation, and respect within our division and throughout the Garden with all employees, supervisors/managers, volunteers, visitors, and others.
• Must be able to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as necessary.
• Meets expected attendance guidelines.
• Follows and adheres to established policies and procedures, including but not limited to Employee Handbook, Garden Safety Guidelines and Department Policies.
• Behaves and communicates in a manner that promotes and fosters a culture of teamwork, cooperation, and respect within our division and throughout the Garden with all employees, supervisors/managers, volunteers, visitors and others.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Core Competencies

• Communication: Combines listening skills, verbal and written communication skills and visitor relation skills.
• Collaboration: Incorporates teamwork, mutual respect, active engagement, cooperation and visitor focus.
• Accountability: Initiative to take ownership of responsibilities, the ability to prioritize and the working knowledge and skills to take action.
• Problem Solving: Blends problem solving skills, judgement and decision making skills along with creativity and resourcefulness.
• Stewardship: Merges the practical application of the Garden values and support for a positive organizational climate.

Qualifications/Experience:

• Interest in pursuing a career in education, ecology, or natural history.
• Ability to work with diverse audiences including ages, abilities, and interests.
• Strong customer service orientation.
• Public speaking experience and confidence is a plus.
• Adherence to all health and safety guidelines.
• Able to work varied work schedule, including different days each week or hours each day.
• The Garden is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our employees, volunteers and guests. All staff are strongly encouraged to receive all vaccinations as recommended by your healthcare provider prior to hire date. The Garden reserves the right to require future proof of current vaccination status, based on local health department guidelines. When international travel is necessary for Garden business, staff must be able to obtain required travel clearances, driving permits, and vaccinations for all countries where travel is required.
• The requirements and duties listed are representative and not exhaustive of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required.

Education:

• H.S. diploma or equivalent and some college coursework with an emphasis in Education, Natural Resources, or Life Sciences.
• An equivalent combination of skills, education and experience may be considered.

Language Skills:

• Ability to communicate effectively in English (oral/written).

Mathematical Skills:

• Requires proficient ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, calculate percentages, and understand use of decimals and fractions.

Reasoning Ability:

• Requires ability to exercise judgment to apply facts and principles to solve problems.

Computer Skills:

• Proficient Microsoft Office Suite(including PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and Outlook).

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• Must be able to obtain and maintain First Aid/CPR certification.
• Must have and maintain valid Driver's license.

Physical Demands:

• Ability to walk up to three miles on uneven terrain and on and off trails.
• May be required to perform tasks at varying heights (i.e. climb ladders, digging in garden beds).
• Able to lift up to (30)pounds(i.e. load and unload supplies and equipment).
• Must be able to work in high heat/humidity, extreme cold weather, and inclement weather.
• Ability to stand and move about entire facility for extended periods of time- 80% or more of the workday is standing on feet(i.e. extensive standing, walking, reaching and stooping).

Work Environment:

• Climate controlled buildings.
• Shared office space.
• Work outdoors in temperatures of (100F or more),humid conditions, as well as temperatures below 0F, in rain, snow, and other inclement weather conditions, including some uncomfortable conditions (i.e. damp weather, mosquitoes, ticks, chiggers) as needed.

Contacts with Individuals/Organizations inside/outside the Nature Reserve:

• Employees, Volunteers, Visitors
• Occasional tour groups
• Client teachers and students

Supervisor (title not person): Coordinator, School Programs (PreK-3)