Environmental Education Program Coordinator

Organizational Background: Sierra STEM is a small outdoor education and STEM enrichment organization based out of June Lake in the Eastern Sierra Nevada near Mammoth Lakes, CA. Operating since 2021, Sierra STEM partners with schools and other nonprofits to run a variety of experiential learning and community building programs including: multi-day backcountry adventures, overnight cabin-based trips for out-of-town student groups, STEM-focused day camps for local kids, and community/school retreats. Website: sierrastem.org 

Position Description: Sierra STEM seeks to hire an Environmental Education Program Facilitator to enhance our local and school-based programming in the Eastern Sierra Nevada region. This role will be key to growing our impact as we operate eight weeks of summer day camps and several multi-day, place-based experiential learning trips with visiting school groups. The Environmental Education Program Facilitator will build Sierra STEM’s outreach capacity by enhancing our STEM-focused curriculum, supporting our environmental education efforts in the Mono Basin and Yosemite National Park, and building capacity for volunteer recruitment and management.

• The central focus of this position (70%) will be on developing and delivering hands-on science-based curricular elements to teach youth about a variety of STEM topics (such as Sierra Nevada ecology and geology, hydrology and water resources, forestry and wildfire ecology, and atmospheric science), while also helping kids to build outdoor skills and teamwork/communication skills. Before and between programs with students, the Environmental Education Program Facilitator will assist in packing, set up, cleanup, and curriculum preparation, as well as supporting administrative projects in the Sierra STEM office in June Lake, CA. Optionally, the Environmental Education Program Facilitator may choose to participate in guiding overnight programs which include backcountry travel with students.
• A secondary focus of the Environmental Education Program Facilitator (10%) will be to lead the development of new systems to recruit, engage, and manage volunteers that will support Sierra STEM for years to come. This will include research on peer organizations’ practices, improvement of our social media outreach to promote volunteerism, and the design and development of online portals and tools to host and manage a volunteer program.
• Professional development is a major component of this position (up to 20%). Throughout their term, hands-on training and mentorship will be provided to the Environmental Education Program Facilitator in a variety of areas (see Site-Specific Training Provided).

Most Sierra STEM programs take place in and around June Lake and Lee Vining, CA, including occasional fieldwork in Yosemite National Park. Exact start and end dates may be flexible, but full-time, consistent in-person availability during late May and from July 1 to August 9 is critical.

Detailed duties of the Environmental Education Program Facilitator:

• Collaborate with Sierra STEM team members to develop and deliver science-focused programming for elementary and middle school students.
• Facilitate hands-on labs about ecology, geology, and water resources.
• Facilitate team building activities and icebreaker games to build community among participants.
• Teach middle school students backpacking skills, including how to load a pack, navigate in the backcountry, cook meals on camp stoves, practice safe hiking skills, and honor Leave No Trace principles.
• Lead organization of curriculum materials, gear/equipment for outdoor programming, and on-site setup.
• Practice excellent risk management skills and demonstrate strong leadership.
• Respond to emergency situations and minor injuries, within your scope of practice.
• Represent Sierra STEM with professionalism before, during, and after all programs.
• Help with post-program cleanup, organization, and debriefing.
• Lead the development of new systems to build capacity for volunteer recruitment, engagement, and management, including designing a web portal for recruitment.

Site-Specific Training Provided:

• STEM curriculum development and lesson planning.
• Risk management skills.
• Environmental education for youth.
• Program management.
• Website development.
• Social media marketing.
• Wilderness First Aid certification (if needed).
• Eastern Sierra networking opportunities.
• Attendance at local community events.

Things to Note: This position is based in June Lake, California, a small town about halfway between Mammoth Lakes and the east entrance to Yosemite National Park. The June Lake community is friendly and relaxed, and has great access to outdoor activities like hiking, mountain and road biking, climbing, fishing, and skiing. Service duties will include regular travel to nearby Lee Vining and Yosemite National Park.

Required Qualifications:

• Must be a U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, or Lawful Permanent Resident Alien of the U.S.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Must pass a LiveScan criminal background check verifying eligibility to serve with youth.
• Full-time, in-person availability from July 1 to August 9.

Desired Qualifications:

• Training in science and/or education (coursework or relevant experience).
• Ability to teach STEM concepts to elementary and middle school students.
• Patience and group management skills needed to serve with elementary and middle school students.
• Knowledge of backpacking and wilderness skills.
• Physical ability to hike at high elevation for up to 8 hours with a loaded pack and lift up to 40 pounds.
• Public speaking and outreach skills.
• Ability to lay out tasks, identify resources, focus, and complete tasks on time.
• Independent, highly motivated, and able to meet deadlines with limited supervision.
• Passion for the natural environment.
• Proficiency using personal computers and the Internet.
• Ability to travel throughout the Eastern Sierra region.

Benefits:

• Access to outdoor industry professional deals.
• Uniforms and use of gear required for the job.
• Training and mentorship in experiential education, curriculum, and STEM programming.
• Fun and supportive team!

AmeriCorps Requirements:

• Must be 18+ years of age and high school graduates or GED recipients (or minimum of 17 and working toward a
  high school diploma or GED); members must agree to obtain either a diploma or GED before using an education
  award; meeting full list of member eligibility requirements in 45 CFR §2522.200(a).
• Must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or lawful permanent resident.
• Must participate in a national criminal history background check pursuant to 45 CFR §2540.200-206.
• Organized, responsible, motivated, professional.
• Demonstrates initiative, follow-through, and reliability.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and public speaking skills.
• Interest or education in marketing or communications a plus.

AmeiCorps Benefits:

• Monthly stipend of $2,500 per month.
• Standard health insurance.
• Up to 170 hours of technical, ecological, and skills-development training.
• Professional experience and networking- $250 Individual Training Budget.
• AmeriCorps members that successfully complete a 900-hour service term will earn a $3,447.50 Segal Educational Award for use on existing qualified student loans or future higher education expenses.
• Student loan forbearance during service term if Member qualifies.