22 Environmental Education - Interpretation jobs

Save the Redwoods League is looking for an experienced Director of Parks and Public Engagement who will supervise a multi-disciplinary team and will create and implement strategies to connect people to the peace and beauty of the California redwoods through a network of world-class parks and redwood education/interpretation programs. Since 1918, Save the Redwoods League has worked to protect and restore redwood forests and connect people to their peace and beauty.  We have improved access to parkland and helped create parks and reserves that have touched the lives of millions of people from around the world.  The League is an established conservation leader that utilizes sound science and cutting edge conservation tools to ensure that California's unique redwood forests exist for millennia more. Visit www.SaveTheRedwoods.org to learn more.   ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND FUNCTIONS: Public Engagement: Advances Save the Redwoods League strategies to transform public access and interpretation in redwood parks to inspire visitation and attract new audiences Develops partnerships with key museums and other educational and interpretive institutions; promotes opportunities for raising awareness about redwood conservation and opportunities for the public to engage first-hand with redwood parks Creates signature redwood park destinations in select geographies Upgrades recreational, educational and interpretive infrastructure in redwood parks Raises awareness and understanding of redwood forests through redwood parks promotional campaigns; partners with schools and environmental education and interpretive centers to develop and implement redwood focused programs Provides staff support to the League’s Education Committee and Connect Task Force Parks Engagement: Cultivates partnerships with park agencies and educational institutions; creates opportunities to build and sustain the portfolio of public engagement activities Works with the Director of Science; tracks public access and forest health metrics in redwood parks and reserves to ensure the League promotes an appropriate balance of excellent visitor experiences and natural resource protection Program Management: Leads the Education and Interpretation program; develops, promotes, and implements best practices in redwood education and interpretation programming Ensures that redwood information is consistently presented in an accurate, relevant, and engaging way Leads the Parks Program; enhances the redwood park visitor experience in select locations in ways that complement the League’s Protect and Restore strategies; enhances redwood park portals critical to Californians Internal Collaboration: Works closely with the Chief Program Officer, Chief Communications Officer, and Program Managers to assess current programs and develop new programs to advance the Leagues goals and strategies Leads a cross-disciplinary team to implement recreational infrastructure, interpretation, and educational programs in parks; recruits, develops, coaches, and empowers parks, education, and interpretation program staff  QUALIFICATIONS: Master’s degree in a related field, MBA, or equivalent experience required Passion for redwoods conservation and the mission of the League; alignment with the League’s pragmatic, non-confrontational approach to conservation Minimum of 5 years’ experience in one or more of the following: Leading successful public engagement and program promotion efforts, diversity and inclusion outreach, and program evaluation; Parks improvement planning and project management; Developing and managing effective park interpretation and environmental education programs. Strong supervisory and team management experience: ability to motivate, lead, set objectives, and manage performance of an experienced multi-disciplinary team Demonstrated record of accomplishment initiating, structuring and executing complex, high profile and sensitive projects involving numerous agencies, organizational partners and other stakeholders Creative and strategic thinker, with proven ability to assemble, assess and organize information, conduct analyses, structure solutions, and propose and implement recommendations. Exceptional collaboration and inter-personal skills; politically savvy and adept at negotiating varied relationships and successfully facilitating inter-group collaboration, cooperation, and coordination Proactive, well-organized, self-directed, with a positive attitude and demonstrated ability to manage change, thrive in a fast-paced environment, deal with ambiguity, prioritize multiple projects, and deliver results Excellent verbal and written communication skills; proficient at presenting information, including ecological concepts, to general audiences Highly skilled MS Office Suite user, comfortable adopting evolving office technologies WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT: Frequent travel within California Some weekend and evening responsibilities Valid driver’s license and safe driving record Regularly sits or stands at a desk or computer workstation Frequently moves about the office to collaborate with colleagues Occasionally required to hike through forest land while working off-site, including walking on uneven ground, climbing over obstacles, and accessing remote locations Occasionally lifts, carries or otherwise moves and positions objects weighing up to 30 pounds We provide excellent benefits including paid vacation, sick time, medical, dental, transit benefits, life insurance and a generous 401K! To be considered, your full application must include the following: A cover letter addressing why you are a great fit for this role A résumé that details your relevant experience Salary expectations TO APPLY:  Email the above documents to jobs@SaveTheRedwoods.org with the subject heading "Director of Parks and Public Engagement" NO CALLS PLEASE. . .we are busy protecting redwoods. THANK YOU! Save the Redwoods League is an Equal Opportunity Employer  

COMPANY DESCRIPTION: Naturalists at Large is a leading outdoor and environmental education group in California. Since 1985, we have provided outdoor education programs for tens of thousands of students from over three hundred schools. We pride ourselves on our ability to facilitate outdoor programs that are exciting and fun, while giving students an understanding of the beauty and diversity of our planet. We are committed to teaching people of all ages the skills to be at ease in the outdoors, and to come to a better understanding of the Western ecosystems: mountains, deserts, and seashores.   We use over 35 sites throughout California: Sequoia-Kings Canyon, Yosemite, Joshua Tree, Point Reyes, Pinnacles, Colorado River, Catalina Island, Coastal Redwoods, Santa Monica Mountains, Santa Cruz Mountains, and San Bernardino Mountains.   RESPONSIBILITIES : Lead students in 1-6 day outdoor education programs for grades 4-12. Teach natural history, human history, environmental education, team building & a variety of outdoor skills: camping, hiking, canoeing, cross-country skiing, and backpacking. Assist specialists (rock climbing; ropes course; kayak/snorkel) with student instruction. All NAL employees are responsible for transporting themselves from site to site throughout California.   QUALIFICATIONS : Previous Professional Experience working with youth in an outdoor setting. Significant personal outdoor experience. Group management, time management, and solid facilitation skills for team building and initiatives Demonstrated leadership/facilitator skills and safety/risk management skills 4-year University Degree Familiarity with academic outdoor programs and a variety of outdoor activities Current Wilderness First Aid and CPR. (Wilderness First Responder or WEMT training is desirable). Please submit certification copies with application.  On-Line certifications are NOT acceptable. Satisfactory response from the California Livescan Fingerprinting process   AVAILABILITY : Fall season will run August 17-October 26 for new staff.   BENEFITS : Entry-level compensation is $107 per day.   For an average 4-day program plus a staff preparation day the pay is $535 plus room (or tent space) and board during program. A variety of specialized training are offered to employees throughout the season.  Pro purchase programs.   TO APPLY : Applications are available on our website at naturalistsatlarge.com. Return your application, cover letter and resume to Naturalists at Large at staffing@natsatlarge.com or  PO Box 3517, Ventura, CA 93006. Phone interviews began in May and are on-going until positions are filled. For more information, call (805) 642-2692.   Naturalists at Large is “An Equal Opportunity Employer” –M/F/D/V

Director of Conservation POSITION:   Director of Conservation STATUS:  Full time, Exempt                                     DEPT:  Conservation REPORTS TO :   President/CEO                              UPDATED :  April 2017          ORGANIZATION: The Catalina Island Conservancy “(Conservancy)” an independent, California 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, was formed in 1972 to protect and restore the natural and cultural resources of Santa Catalina Island, and to make them available for public recreation, education, and enjoyment.  As one of the largest and oldest land trusts in Southern California, the protected lands of the Conservancy amount to approximately 42,000 acres or 88% of the Island.  The Conservancy’s mission is to be a responsible steward of its lands through a balance of conservation, education and recreation.  The organization takes this balance as both an obligation and an opportunity – its science, restoration, education and outreach activities serve as a model for the conservation of protected lands worldwide in the context of human use.  As a “living laboratory,” Catalina Island, and the restoration work of the Conservancy, represents one of the largest, most diverse landscape-level scientific experiments being conducted in community-based conservation in the nation. This role creates an exceptional opportunity to build and run a next-generation, conservation biology field station in a human-impacted environment with ecosystems of great diversity.     POSITION SUMMARY:   The Director of Conservation will report to the President & CEO. In turn, the Director will manage a Conservation Department, which will consist of approximately eight (8) staff members including a Conservation Operations Coordinator, Plant Conservation Manager, an Invasive Plant Program Manager, two (2) Plant Technicians, a GIS/IT Manager and two (2) Wildlife Biologists. Several of these positions manage a team of seasonal, part time, or full time employees, or volunteers. The organizational structure of the Conservation Department, as well as individual positions within it, may change, over time, to respond to the biodiversity and ecological needs of the land, and as a result of securing funding to strengthen programs and meet changing department and organizational goals. The Conservation Director will be responsible for developing, implementing and overseeing the conservation management program, including but not limited to wildlife management, biological and cultural programs. The role requires an entrepreneurial spirit eager to create funding opportunities, and a business/programs model ideally suited for our Catalina field station. The Director will work closely with the President & CEO, and with the senior management team to achieve the mission and strategic goals of the Conservancy. The Director of Conservation will implement a conservation vision, which includes and elevates key aspects of conservation, with the goal of improving and maintaining the biodiversity and ecological health of Catalina Island. Developed using an adaptive management approach, the conservation program is comprised of the management of all aspects of wildlife, vegetation, rare species and habitat, small and large-scale restoration projects, wildlife and plant community monitoring, invasive and introduced species control, plant conservation, propagation and installation, and rare and endemic species surveys. Additionally, the Director will participate in and provide leadership of other habitat restoration projects related broadly to Santa Catalina Island, other Channel Islands and Southern California.  This will include oversight of an annual Conservation and Education Symposium and leadership/participation in the Channel Islands Symposium held approximately every four years.   SUMMARY OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES : Oversees program work, while adhering to budgets, ensuring that work is performed in accordance with best practices and standards.  Manages staff, consultants, university partners and volunteers with a focus on professional development, evaluation of performance and safety practices.  Directs the Conservation Department’s efforts to proactively identify funding opportunities, write grant proposals, and solicit funding from foundations, organizations and government agencies to assist in financing programs and projects, research, and data collection.  Designs, redefines and hones programs and practices to relate accomplishments and goals to the Conservancy’s mission and strategic goals developed jointly with the President & CEO.  Develops and manages operating and capital budgets, including purchasing services and materials, preparation of capital equipment specifications, and coordinates budget expenditures.  Recommends to President & CEO biologically-sound habitat improvements and practices to better achieve the balance outlined in the Conservancy’s mission. Effectively communicates project and program results through professional organizations and scientific publications, staff training, presentations and external media.  Prepares baseline vegetation and wildlife survey documentation, conservation reports, biological assessments, vegetation studies, current condition reports, land management plans, GPS data reports and historical tracking of conservation issues on the Conservancy’s landscape. Develops and/or works with various databases to track projects, history and activities.   Oversees the Conservancy’s outreach to and hosting of various researchers in order to secure solid scientific data to inform management decisions on Catalina and elsewhere (including, but not limited to soils, botany, ornithology, mammalogy, entomology, taxonomy, genetics, and ecology). Gives tours of the wildlands and speaks publically to various audiences about the work of the Conservancy, including its successes and challenges, as well as the relationship of the work to other islands/lands. Coordinates with government agencies, NGOs, universities, and colleges in planning and implementing ecological and educational programs and projects.  Works closely with management team, to implement projects that support the balanced mission. Works with other stakeholders on Catalina Island, representatives of the Channel Islands, other land trusts, government agencies, the Conservancy’s Board of Directors and external funders. Updates and enhances knowledge by continuing education for professional growth, i.e., attends relevant conferences, seminars and certification programs. Supports the Conservancy’s potential land trust accreditation process. Submits a yearly work program and performs other duties as needed or assigned.   REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: Knowledge and Skills:   Demonstrated experience in designing and implementing innovative conservation management programs. Knowledge of a wide range of natural resource stewardship and land management issues;  familiar with all aspects of conservation and land management, including understanding of legal, financial, regulatory issues involved in land conservation and wetland restoration/protection. Strong experience in project and grant management.  Understanding of the range of bird, mammals, invertebrates that inhabit or are native to Catalina Island. Ability to utilize GPS equipment, read detailed maps interpret aerial photos and navigate in the field. Strong management experience in supervising (exempt and non-exempt employees, and volunteers).  Demonstrated skills in budget management and proposal/grant writing.  Strong natural history field skills (wildlife, birds, plants, geology, etc.) and familiarity with Southern California flora, ecology, indigenous cultures and natural history desirable. COMPLEXITY/PROBLEM SOLVING:  Able to think critically and creatively to develop solutions to complex environmental education, cultural change, conservation, facility operations and land use problems Ability to adapt and respond to unexpected or unplanned educational, ecological (e.g. fire, drought, new invasions) or programmatic (e.g. changes in organizational priorities or funding) circumstances while still progressing towards core program objectives. Excellent communication skills (verbal and written), visionary, and problem solving; planning and goal setting. Ability to analyze diverse facts and develop clear, concise reports and recommendations. Solid understanding of the social, legal, and ecological basis for land management policies that influence ecosystem restoration and management decisions. Ability to function flexibly and effectively in a complex organizational environment with a range of different departments and operations. Ability to work both independently or as part of a team. COMMUNICATIONS/INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS:  Strong management experience in supervising full-time and part-time staff and volunteers required.  Strong organizational, coordination, project management and negotiation skills. Strong customer service skills (internal and external) extremely important.  Ability to function and thrive as an “internal consultant” within a complex, multi-goal (conservation, education, recreation) organization with diverse professional staff (scientists, operations professionals, guest experience managers, marketing and public relations) is crucial.  Excellent written and oral communication skills are needed; ability to communicate effectively with diverse or specific audiences and with those with opposing points of view. Ability to work both independently and as a part of a team is essential; strong team building and relationship building skills critical. Positive attitude, sense of humor, energetic, creative and transparent, focused on strategic goals of the Conservancy; not limited to conservation.     EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE :  Ph.D. preferred, but not required; Masters Degree in relevant discipline (biological science, environmental studies, ecology, conservation or combination of science and management education and experience. Five to seven years of progressively more complicated and more responsible supervisory and applied conservation management experience expected, especially within a land trust, conservation or governmental land use, or similar organizational environments.  Field work in biology, bio-science, botany/plant science, earth science, ecology, geology, geography, and land management. Marine science/oceanography or sustainable development planning a plus. Demonstrated experience with various regional, state and federal agencies (e.g. County of Los Angeles, Regional Planning; CA Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and Army Corps of Engineers) with regards to plant, animal and environmental concerns, protocols and procedures; familiarity with the CA Private Lands Management Program. A familiarity with SEQA, NEPA and CA Coastal Commission and SEA programs preferred.   WORK ENVIRONMENT/ 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 or that an employee encounters while performing the essential function of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.   Employee must live and work on Catalina Island and be comfortable with the major aspects of island life including schools, medical care, housing, shopping, and transportation. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The office environment has moderate noise levels and is a non-smoking environment.  Field conditions are strongly weather-dependent and may be hot, dusty, cold, muddy, and/or wet depending on season and degree of exposure.  Work may be conducted independently or with groups of staff and volunteers.  Hiking conditions include steep, rugged terrain with unstable rocky substrate and cactus.  Wild animals, including bison and rattlesnakes, may also be encountered in the field and pose some threat. 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.  Position involves functioning in both field and office environments. The office environment has moderate noise levels and is a non‑smoking. Field work involves manual labor, hiking long distances over rugged terrain and through dense scrub, in varied weather conditions, and routine handling of plants.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.