Education Program Assistant Do you remember the first time you saw a banana slug? Did you spend your summer outside as a kid, exploring moss-covered forests or turning over rocks in the stream to see what lives underneath? Join our fun and talented team of Columbia Springs educators and guide the next generation of nature explorers! If you want to make a lasting impact on kids in our community, this is the job for you. Columbia Springs is a nonprofit dedicated to connecting people with nature and inspiring stewardship. See website for more info: http://www.columbiasprings.org
The Education Program Assistant will support the education team in implementation, planning and logistics related to education programs including: Science and Nature Field Trip Programs, Summer Science Explorations, Summer Nature Day Camp, the Columbia River Watershed Festival and more. The Education Assistant will be a lead educator for field trips and the lead organizer for a month-long Summer Nature Day Camp program. Additionally, the education program assistant will provide critical assistance one day a week to our Salmon in the Classroom program in the form of in-class lessons and project assistance. This job requires a high level of reliability, planning and organization skills and the ability to jump in and learn quickly.
Duties and Responsibilities:
• Lead a full class of elementary students (up to 30) through our 1-4hr education programs • Conduct outdoor activities in all kinds of weather • Manage the behavior of students through positive feedback • Strengthen programs to improve program outcomes for students of diverse backgrounds • Take the lead role in Summer Nature Day Camp planning including: marketing, registration, activity prep and planning, intern recruitment and more • Assist in coordination and registration of field trips, including the Columbia River Watershed Festival a two-day field trip for 4th grade students in September • Assist with a variety of tasks related to Salmon in the Classroom programming, including teaching lessons in schools (e.g. fish dissections), tank maintenance, and special project support • Be a team leader and a team player • Manage work assignments; ensure appropriate completion of timelines, deadlines, project objectives, tasks • Assist the education team with tasks as needed and report to the Education Coordinator
Hours:
• 32 hours/week, four days per week. With occasional evening and weekend work associated with special events and programs. • Must be available the weeks of July 6th- 10th & July 20th-24th for Summer Nature Day Camp. • Planned work dates and times will be provided by the Education Coordinator in advance and are subject to change based on mutual agreement.
Compensation: $15/hour with accrued paid time off and paid holidays.
Desired Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:
• A Bachelors degree in Education or Natural Sciences or 2-3 years relevant work and/or academic achievement. • Experience with inquiry-based environmental education. • Basic understanding of PNW forest ecology, natural history subjects, and environmental stewardship. • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, able to write clearly and persuasively. • Demonstrated ability to take direction and follow through on assignments. • Strong interpersonal and communication skills. • Possess a positive, ‘Can-Do’ attitude and curiosity of the natural world. • Ability to lift 50 lbs and walk 3-4 miles over uneven ground.
To Apply: Please submit a single PDF that includes a cover letter, resume and the contact information for three professional references to Education Coordinator, Jenna Kallestad (schoolprograms@columbiasprings.org ) via e-mail by Wednesday, February 19th .