Education Coordinator

Overview

The National Audubon Society is a nonprofit conservation organization that protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. We work throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation. Audubon’s state, regional, national, and international programs, nature centers, and chapters have an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire, and unite diverse communities in conservation action. As a sentinel species, we recognize that the fate of birds is inextricably tied to the fate of us all.

Audubon has more than 700 staff working across the United States and seven countries in 17 state and regional offices, 41 nature centers, and 23 wildlife sanctuaries. Together as one Audubon, we aspire to alter the course of climate change and habitat loss, leading to healthier bird populations and reversing current trends in biodiversity loss.

Audubon is committed to a culture of workplace excellence, where our talented and diverse staff are deeply engaged, with a strong sense of belonging. The birds Audubon pledges to protect differ in color, size, behavior, geographical preference, and countless other ways. By honoring and celebrating the equally remarkable diversity of the human species, Audubon will bring new creativity, effectiveness, and leadership to our work throughout the hemisphere.

Position Summary

The Education Coordinator will organize the development and implementation of youth based programs conducted by Audubon Southwest at the Randall Davey Audubon Center (RDAC). The focus will be school programs, including classroom visits and outdoor field trips, as well as coordinating and running RDAC’s summer day camps. The Education Coordinator will also assist in planning quarterly community programs for families and adult participants, as well as provide afterschool and service learning programs. The primary goal of this position is to help communicate Audubon’s conservation message with the public, and provide youth with safe and fun experiences in the outdoors.

The Education Coordinator will report to the Director of Community Education. This position is primarily in-person at the Audubon Center, Monday through Friday, 8am-4pm, with some flexibility of remote work occasionally; will require some daytime travel around Santa Fe and occasionally the greater Northern and Central NM region. By nature of delivering public programs, this position will require working occasional evenings and weekends.

This is a full-time (40 hours per week), year-round position.

Essential Functions

School Programs

• Independently lead groups of elementary students outdoors and in-classrooms through science and environmental education curricula at the Randall Davey Audubon Center and Sanctuary (RDAC) and in Santa Fe schools.
• Coordinate logistics of education programs with teachers and other audiences, including marketing and promotion, registration, scheduling, and pre/post visit communication.

Community Programs

• Partner with other conservation and informal education organizations to deliver innovative and collaborative programming.
• Develop relationships with members of the community and provide meaningful programming to meet their needs and desires.
• Plan and deliver community, adult, and family outreach programs.

Summer Camp

• Develop and implement fun and hands-on environmental education activities and curricula for the RDAC summer day camps.
• Ensure daily safety and well-being for summer campers, as well as communication with parents and other Audubon staff.
• With support, coordinate registration and marketing of camp programs.
• Recruit, hire, and oversee seasonal education staff, including interns and camp educators.
• Coordinate and mentor teen youth volunteers.

RDAC Operations

• Interact professionally and positively with students, teachers, parents, and visitors.
• Maintain and enhance existing activities/curricula, including the upkeep of program materials and resources.
• Assist in reporting and development projects in conjunction with Education Director and other Audubon staff
• Assist as necessary with the maintenance of nature center buildings and grounds at RDAC.
• Interact with the public to provide information about Audubon, answer specific questions for visitors associated with the RDAC and be a positive ambassador of Audubon.
• Promote Audubon’s conservation initiatives within the community.
• Additional duties as needed.

Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Experience

• Valid driver’s license and ability to drive around Santa Fe.

• Experience working with elementary-level students (Pre-K through 6th grade).

• Proven skills teaching in formal and informal settings to a variety of audiences.

• Excellent public speaking and group management skills.

• Ability to work and collaborate with people of diverse backgrounds.

• Attention to detail, excellent time-management and organizational skills, sound judgment under pressure.

• Hard working, flexible, and self-motivated.

• Ability to work independently and in a team setting.

• Bilingual (Spanish) communication skills highly desirable.

• Background in New Mexico natural history desirable.

• Comfort working with digital tools such as Microsoft Suite, Google Suite, Zoom, Slack, etc.

• Bachelor’s degree in the natural sciences or education or related field, or similar professional experience in the field of natural resources and/or Nature Centers, with experience in education or outreach may be substituted.

• Bachelor’s degree and 0-2 years of relevant professional experience in education, natural resources, youth programs. A combination of education and experience will also be considered.

• Must be able lift loads up to 25 lbs and traverse uneven terrain for over 2 miles with or without accommodation. Must be able to lead groups in an outdoor setting, including traversing trails and uneven terrain of the Nature Center and surrounding properties, preserves, and sanctuaries in variable weather conditions with or without accommodation.

This position is represented by the Communications Workers of America (CWA).

EEO Statement

The National Audubon Society is a federal contractor and an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. We are committed to a policy of nondiscrimination, inclusion and equal opportunity and actively seek a diverse pool of candidates in this search.

Accessibility Statement

The National Audubon Society endeavors to keep our careers site accessible to any and all users.  If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact Accommodations@audubon.org. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

COVID Policy

All new hires must be fully vaccinated prior to their start of employment unless they are pre-qualified by HR for exemption.