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Part-time Environmental Educator 1
Company / Organization: Watsonville Wetlands Watch
State or Country if outside US: CA
Description:
Background: the Watsonville Wetlands Watch (WWW) is a community supported non-profit organization whose mission is to protect, restore and foster an appreciation for the wetlands of the Pajaro Valley. Watsonville Wetlands Watch oversees the Patrick J. Fitz Wetlands Educational Resource Center (WERC) which is a joint endeavor of the Pajaro Valley Unified School District (PVUSD), the City of Watsonville and the Watsonville Wetlands Watch.
Our environmental education programs are inquiry-based and hands-on. They are based on outdoor experiential learning experiences utilizing the precious wetlands of Watsonville to instill a conservation ethic and promote environmental stewardship in the youth of the Pajaro Valley. We serve students grades 4-12 from schools in the Pajaro Valley. Our programs include Wetland Stewards--an after school program with a peer mentoring component, Cycles of Restoration—a school time field trip to the wetlands for partnering 4th grade classes, ROP Green Careers--a practical summer high school course in the field of green careers, and Project Tierra—student and volunteer-based environmental monitoring.
Position Overview:
The Environmental Educator 1 (EE1) position coordinates and teaches classroom and outdoor wetland-based activities for youth of the Pajaro Valley, through our Wetland Stewards, Cycles of Restoration, and Project Tierra programs. The Environmental Educator I also supervises, trains, and provides enrichment activities for a group of high school interns throughout the school year.
The Wetland Stewards After School Program is a partnership with Pajaro Valley Unified School District (PVUSD) out of the Fitz Wetlands Educational Resource Center in Watsonville, CA. This program offers PVUSD elementary and middle schools regular 7 to 9-week sessions of hands-on, experiential wetland programming. There is a critical mentoring component which involves paid high school interns who the EE1 trains and supervises so that they may help lead the students through outdoor inquiry-based activities. Interns develop leadership skills and serve as positive role models to younger students as they explore the wonders of the wetlands in their community.
The Cycles of Restoration Program explores the wetlands in fall and spring with visiting 4th grade classes from several partnering schools in PVUSD. The field trips are during the school day and are usually three hours long. All of the activities and lessons delivered through WWW education programs are hands-on and inquiry-based and are aligned with CA State Standards as well as Next Generation Science Standards.
Project Tierra is a citizen science wetland biodiversity monitoring program that engages high school students and volunteers in activities that involve collecting and analyzing environmental data over the long-term to monitor the biodiversity and overall health of the Watsonville wetlands. The areas of focus are biological monitoring (including birds, aquatic invertebrates and other wildlife) water quality monitoring, and native vs. non-native vegetation monitoring. WWW partners with PVHS science teachers to provide hands-on field monitoring experiences to about 25 classes each year.
In addition to coordinating and providing instruction for three two programs, the EE1 maintains the WERC classroom, education materials and equipment, coordinates student participation in special events, provide support for other program field trips and assists visitors of the WERC during open hours.
The Environmental Educator will report to the Director of Educational Programs. This position is part-time to full-time. 50% of this time is dedicated to the Wetland Stewards Program, 15% to the Cycles of Restoration and 35% is dedicated to Project Tierra and all other position duties.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Wetland Stewards After School Program
· Recruits high school interns from Pajaro Valley High School in Spring
· Coordinates summer training for interns
· Coordinates with participating schools in fall
· Completes and submits all required paperwork through PVUSD
· Schedules transportation for field trips through PVUSD
· Leads 4th grade students through hands-on inquiry-based activities
· Improves and documents curriculum and activities as needed
· Supervises high school interns
· Ensures the preparation, set-up and break down of program activities
· Maintains program supplies and equipment
· Accompanies high school interns on field trips and community events
· Schedules special enrichment field trips and guest speakers for interns
· Maintains contact with program alumni and schedules yearly gathering
· Work with volunteer coordinator to recruit docent volunteers
· Train volunteers to help with field trips
· Attends job-related trainings
· Disseminates and records program evaluations
· Keeps records of student attendance
Cycles of Restoration
· Coordinate with participating 5th grade teachers at various elementary schools listed on current grants to schedule classroom presentations, fall field trips and follow-up field trips in the spring
· Disseminates and records program evaluations
· Lead related activities
· Work with volunteer coordinator to recruit docent volunteers
· Train volunteers to help with field trips
Project Tierra
Water Quality · Coordinate First Flush in fall and Snapshot Day in Spring · Train teams to collect samples using proper protocols · Recruit volunteers · Coordinate participation of chemistry classes in the spring · Maintain equipment · Collaborate with other agencies to share data · Enter and maintain data online
Bird Populations · Coordinate three bird population surveys/ year with volunteers · Create and modify maps and protocols using Arc GIS · Coordinate volunteer trainings · Enter and maintain data online
Aquatic Invertebrates · Coordinate participation of Wetland Stewards · Coordinate participation of Integrated Science Classes · Work with Monterey Bay Aquarium WATCH students as needed · Data entry · Quality control · Train volunteers and contractors · Maintain equipment and supplies · Enter and maintain data online |
Requirements:
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and EXPERIENCE
Watsonville Wetlands Watch provides a fun and supportive work environment and we are looking for a team player who is creative, passionate about the environment, and loves working with youth and volunteers.
Required Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in an environmentally-related field plus two-year’s experience providing environmental education to 4-12th grade youth, excellent organization and teaching skills, experience coordinating and providing environmental education to people of all ages, lab and/or environmental field experience, have experience working with volunteers, ability to take initiative and work independently, ability to utilize technology (MS Office, Excel, PowerPoint, iPads, social media) and experience designing curriculum and activities.
Preferred Qualifications: The ideal candidate will be bilingual in English and Spanish, have experience coordinating and providing environmental education to people of all ages, have familiarity with the Watsonville community, and will have a background in wetland ecology.
Compensation: This is a part-time to full-time position with pro-rated benefits including medical, vacation, and sick time. It is contingent upon availability of grant funding. The salary is competitive and commensurate with experience.
Point of Contact: Noelle Antolin, (831)728-1156 ext. 5