Environmental Educator

Organizational Information

KIDS for the BAY (KftB) is an environmental education organization with 27 years of impact. We deliver engaging, hands-on programs to our partner elementary schools throughout Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. Our programs connect school students with nature on Field Trips to creek, bay and ocean habitats and engage students in science learning that supports Next Generation Science Standards in the classroom and in the outdoors. We are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and to empowering students to become active environmentalists in their school communities. We provide professional development in environmental science education for our partner teachers. We also run an exciting Summer Camp for children ages 5 – 13 to explore in nature, learn hands-on science and become inspired environmentalists. For more information about our mission, impact and programs, please visit our website at www.kidsforthebay.org. KIDS for the BAY is a project of Earth Island Institute.

Our office is located in the Lorin District of Berkeley, walking distance from Ashby BART station and surrounded by popular coffee shops, restaurants and unique neighborhood stores, as well as a weekly Farmers Market. Several working days each week will be spent in the office and the majority of days each week will be spent traveling to work at our partner school sites and our beautiful spring Field Trip and Summer Camp locations. KftB offers a friendly, supportive working environment, with excellent professional development opportunities.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is passionate about teaching children and supporting their teachers and families. S/he cares deeply about education, hands-on science learning and promoting positive solutions to environmental problems. This person has a lot of energy and enthusiasm, is highly organized, has excellent writing skills and can multi-task on a daily basis to meet the needs of working in a high-impact, grassroots nonprofit organization providing quality, community-based programs. This position is a wonderful opportunity for a person committed to a career in the field of environmental education.

Responsibilities
Teach School-Based Programs:
• Teach environmental science lessons to elementary school students in the classroom and in the field
• Model environmental science lessons for elementary school teachers in their classrooms and in the field
• Outreach to schools to recruit new teacher participants
• Conduct orientation, planning, evaluation and follow-up meetings with teachers
• Liaise with project partners and coordinate service-learning Action Projects for students
• Organize educational equipment
• Perform administrative work, including: collecting written and verbal evaluative feedback from teachers and students, filing teacher/school information, writing program reports, and preparing photo documents and samples of student work

Teach Summer Camp:
• Lead hands-on nature, art, science, conservation, adventure and play activities in the outdoors each week of camp
• Manage the activities, materials, and equipment needed for each day of camp
• Maintain a safe, respectful, positive camp environment for all campers and camp staff, while attending to the individual needs of the campers
• Assist in the preparation of camp materials, activities, and equipment before the start of camp

Qualifications and Experience
Required Experience and Qualifications:
• At least two years of classroom and outdoor teaching experience at the elementary school level to culturally and economically diverse populations
• Bachelors degree in environmental education, education, environmental/biological sciences, or related field
• Environmental literacy, general knowledge of San Francisco Bay Area ecology, aquatic science, environmental issues and teaching the scientific inquiry process

Desired Experience and Qualifications:
• Bilingual in Spanish or other commonly spoken language in the Bay Area preferred

Required Work Traits/Skills:
• Enthusiasm, energy, and commitment to carry out administrative and teaching responsibilities
• Ability to multi-task while maintaining attention to detail and high quality of work in order to meet deadlines in an efficient and timely manner
• Excellent organizational skills, effective time management, and efficient planning to accommodate a busy schedule which includes teaching and administrative tasks
• Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion
• Upbeat, positive, mature attitude and respectful communication approach
• Excellent writing skills
• Desire and enthusiasm to be in a leadership role within the organization and to represent the organization within the community
• Willingness to follow direction from supervisors, as well as self-direct/manage tasks independently
• Desire and ability to work in the outdoors with youth, including walking and hiking along trails while carrying light equipment, exploring natural habitats and playing outdoor games

Other Requirements:
A great deal of education and restoration equipment for programs must be transported to each school or Field Trip site, therefore a reliable car is required for this position. Work-related travel is reimbursed at the federal mileage rate.

Compensation
The salary is $3,000 per month. This is a full-time, temporary position from 1/7/2020 – 8/7/2020. Paid holidays and California sick leave are provided.

Application Procedures
Application Deadline: October 21, by 5 p.m.

Your application package must include the following:
• cover letter
• resume
• at least two references with current contact information (email and phone number).

To apply, email your application to: jobs@kidsforthebay.org with “Environmental Educator position application” in the subject line.

A background check by a Live Scan service provider will be required before the hiring process can be finalized.