Teacher Naturalist
Location: Montezuma Audubon Center - Savannah, New York - Seneca Meadows Environmental Education Center - Seneca Falls, NY
Immediate Supervisor: Education Manager
Division/Department: Montezuma Audubon Center

Purpose of the position

Assist with development and delivery of dynamic, high quality environmental interpretation and education, conservation science and advocacy programs in Central New York.  The successful candidate will conduct programs at the Montezuma Audubon Center and the Seneca Meadows Environmental Education Center. Ecological monitoring as part of citizen science and data collection at both locations will also be required.

Assist with development and implementation of environmental education programs for families, adults, and children on weekdays, weekends, holidays, school breaks, after school, and some evenings. This includes all aspects of programming, including set up, clean up, evaluation, and follow up. Types of programs include, but are not limited to, school field trips and outreach programs, hikes, and tours.

• Create interpretive signs, exhibits and other educational materials for the public.
• Assist Education Manager with program logistics and preparation, including program promotion, registration, scheduling, pre-visit communication, preparation of teacher curriculum packets, development of props and materials, classroom and field site maintenance, and curriculum development.
• Conduct outreach activities as appropriate.
• Conduct citizen science projects and other monitoring of the sites that adds to the data and ecological knowledge of the sites.
• Maintain existing contacts and develop new relationships with community groups and individuals. Duties will include speaking engagements with local organizations, staffing the Seneca Meadows Environmental Education Center and special event booths, and attending relevant community meetings.

Additional Functions:

• Acquire, create and maintain educational props, equipment and supplies. Duties may include researching, building, purchasing, maintaining, storing, collecting and caring for both inanimate and live collections.
• Interact and work with the general public, Audubon members, teachers, board members, and government officials.  This includes answering phones, fielding natural history questions from the public.
• Provide educational support including evaluation documentation, database management, mass mailings, event planning and promotion, phone calls, etc.
• Assist with preparation and distribution of newsletters, flyers, and proposals.
• Articulate the National Audubon Society’s mission, the Montezuma Audubon Center’s mission, the Montezuma Wetlands Complex mission and the New York Audubon’s Education Plan to the community.
• Other duties as assigned by the Education Manager or Center Director.

Relationships

Internal:
Reports to the Education Manager. Assists with coordinating activities and functions with other staff, volunteers and interns, provides support to administrative staff as necessary.

External:
Maintains positive and friendly working relationships with the general public, education community, conservation community, chapter leaders, Audubon members, Friends of the Montezuma Wetlands Complex, donors, volunteers, state board members, Seneca Meadows staff, NYSDEC and other colleagues.

Equipment: (e.g., computer, calculator, copy machines, telephone, etc.)

Successful candidates will have experience with computers particularly Microsoft applications such as Word, Excel, Power Point, Publisher, Outlook, and Access.  In addition the candidates should be proficient in use of telephones, answering, copying and facsimile machines, digital camera, and basic hand tools (hammer, shovel, etc.). 

Qualifications (e.g., education, training, experience, licenses and skills)

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Environmental Interpretation, Education, Natural Sciences, Outdoor Recreation, or related field preferred.
• Must demonstrate knowledge of basic natural history and environmental science.
• Must have demonstrated experience working with groups of children, adults, and families.
• Must have 2 years’ experience developing and conducting education and outreach activities for all age groups and diverse audiences.
• Willingness to work flexible hours when needed, including weekends and evenings.
• Experience with developing guided and self-guided interpretive tools and programs preferred.
• Ability to work with limited resources.
• Excellent written and communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated organizational and time-management skills.
• Self-motivated, detailed-oriented with the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Knowledge of and commitment to conservation of birds and other wildlife and their habitats.
• Possess a valid New York state driver's license, or the ability to obtain one in a timely manner.
• Criminal History background checks will be required.
• The preferred candidate will be committed to the Audubon mission of conservation.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to walk all the major pathways and trails of the Montezuma Audubon Center.
• Ability to traverse uneven terrain.
• Must have current first aid and CPR certification, or obtain such certification within 3 months of date of hire.
• Make decisions requiring good judgment and complete knowledge of subject matter, including task sequencing and office administration procedures.
• Use oral communication to perform work, including answering phones, communicating with the public, and coordinating with other personnel.
• Sit, stand, grasp, lift, carry, walk, push, and pull for short and extended periods of time.
• Use written, verbal, and visual sources of information, including reports, procedural documentation, manuals, and reference materials.
• Ability to work well in a team environment with conflicting deadlines while effectively managing priorities.

The National Audubon Society's mission is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the Earth's biological diversity.

Audubon promotes a diverse workplace and is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of the National Audubon Society to employ the man or woman best qualified for the job regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability or marital status.