Environmental Educator

MISSION: The mission of the Tri-State Steelheaders is to restore sustainable populations of native fish species. We do so by enhancing habitat, providing public education, and promoting recreational angling.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS: The Environmental Educator works under the general supervision of the Education Coordinator.

WORK SCHEDULE: The position is a full-time (32-40 hours/week), hourly, non-exempt position. Schedule is flexible with respect to days and time worked. Some weekend and evening hours are expected, such as for board meetings and special events. Travel is typically local, with longer trips for training and development.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS: In addition to the hourly pay, Tri-State Steelheaders provides a health reimbursement arrangement (QSEHRA), and a Simple IRA with up to a 3% matching contribution. The position accrues paid leave at 6.7 hours per month, with a maximum of 80 hours (increases to 120 hours after three years). Paid sick leave accrues at 1 hour per 30 hours worked, with no limit on accrual, and an annual carryover limit of 40 hours. Eleven paid holidays are observed. Personal vehicle mileage is reimbursable at the federal mileage rate.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:  Work is primarily performed in an office or classroom setting during the typical work week. Some events and programs occur outdoors, and occasionally on evenings or weekends. During the school year, the Environmental Educator can expect to travel to classrooms and deliver in-person lessons for two to five days of the week.

MAJOR DUTIES: 

The Environmental Educator assists the Education Coordinator with the development and implementation of community and classroom educational programs. Major duties are in the following areas:

Salmon in School Program
Our primary education program is Salmon in School. The program places a fish tank in participating classrooms, provides salmon eggs from a regional hatchery, fish food and supplies, and regularly scheduled lessons, while the students experience the salmon lifecycle. In spring, the juvenile salmon are released in local streams Currently, the program serves about 1,200 students at about 28 sites.

• Manage in-classroom fish tanks and equipment (water chiller, filters, etc). This includes setup, cleaning, temperature management, and tank breakdown at the end of the school year.
• Support teachers with fish care instructions and aquarium troubleshooting.
• Develop positive working relationships with host teachers,
• Monitor water quality and fish health through coordination with teachers.
• Present classroom lessons at each location monthly.
• Assemble and transport appropriate classroom supplies for each lesson (handouts, activity kits, art supplies, etc).
• Refine existing lessons, and create new lessons.
• . Attend and support salmon release events
• Seek grants to support Salmon in School.
• Seek additional participating classrooms through outreach.
• Track student outcomes and results for annual reporting.

Community Education
Provide education and awareness to the community through social media, newspaper articles, outreach materials, and community-directed programs.

• Contribute content for social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram, with emphasis on photos and video content.
• Provide lessons as part of our team of instructors during our four-day professional development STEM workshop for educators.
• Contribute to development of outreach content and materials, such as press releases, newspaper articles, brochures, and flyers.
• In partnership with our cooperators, provide education and outreach programs, such as at Return to the River.
• Seek new outlets to educate the community about ecosystem science, our organization, and our work.
• Pursue grant funding for community education programs.

Other Duties

• Provide monthly activity reports to the Executive Director.
• Participate in staff meetings.
• Seek and participate in training opportunities.
• Represent the Steelheaders at local and regional events.
• Assist with conducting Steelheaders’ events, such as Kids’ Fishing Days
• Assist the project manager with habitat restoration projects, as needed and as schedule allows

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Education, or pertinent sciences, such as Biology, Ecology, or Zoology.
• Experience in science education programs.
• Experience in delivery of K-12 classroom education.
• Interest in working in the non-profit sector.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs.
• Strong written and verbal science communication skills for a variety of audiences.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to work in a small office setting.
• Valid driver’s license and dependable transportation, or ability to acquire both upon hire.
• Problem solving skills and collaborative attitude.
• Enthusiasm, passion for, and knowledge of native salmonids, ecology, and general life sciences

DESIRED SKILLS AND INTERESTS

:

• Strong desire to work in K-12 classroom settings with students of diverse backgrounds
• Grant writing experience.
• Team leadership skills.
• Spanish language skills.
• Photography and video skills.
• Experience creating social media content.
• Website design and maintenance.
• Interest and ability to teach fishing skills.
• Experience working for a non-profit organization, as a volunteer, staff, or a board member.