Educator, Sustainability

Summary:

Serves as an educator for all aspects of sustainability education, which includes K-12 student and teacher engagement, community programming, and adult education. This position occasionally supports the instructional needs of other departments. They participate in advancing the Garden's mission by connecting learners of all ages to appropriate sustainable solutions and sustainability-based learning experiences. This includes design, development, and delivery of learning experiences for recycling, energy, water and other green schools related topics, tours, professional development and other programs as needed.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develops, prepares and delivers quality, engaging environmental education programs for learners across the greater St. Louis area and throughout the Missouri and Illinois region.
• Provides lessons and activities that build awareness and understanding of practical sustainable solutions for all audiences. This includes development of lessons for recycling, energy, water and other green schools related education, tours, professional development and other programs as needed.
• Participates in team planning sessions with staff to ensure well-coordinated and effective delivery of instruction to meet learning goals and objectives.
• Assists with creating, procuring, maintaining, and organizing program and instructional resource supplies.
• Assists with tracking data and writing reports for grant funded programs.
• Arranges transportation, reservations, and logistics for program field trips. Transports participants to field sites in trucks, cars, and 15-passenger vans.
• Assists with professional development workshops and sessions for educators.
• Coordinates teaching schedule with Garden staff and teachers as needed for educational programming.
• Ensures that all applicable safety standards are followed; informs employees/students/volunteers of safety guidelines and safe working practices and routinely monitors to enforce them. Adapts or modifies work methods to reduce hazards. Reports all accidents, injuries, and near-miss accidents immediately.
• Collaborates with Sustainability division for development, creation, and implementation of new programming initiatives.
• Promotes a department culture of teamwork and mutual support; maintains an open line of communication with the Career, Community and Sustainability Education team, Sustainability Division departments, and other Garden divisions.
• Meets expected attendance guidelines.
• Follows and adheres to established policies and procedures, including but not limited to Employee Handbook, Garden Safety Guidelines and Department Policies.
• Behaves and communicates in a manner that promotes and fosters a culture of teamwork and cooperation, within our division and throughout the Garden, with co-workers, supervisors/managers, volunteers, visitors and employees.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Core Competencies:

• Communication - Listens to others and asks questions for clarification; Writes clearly and presents information accurately; Speaks professionally and responds well to questions; Supports positive visitor relations.
• Collaboration - Demonstrates teamwork and promotes respect in the workplace; Engages in problem solving and group initiatives; Cooperates in implementing procedures and process improvements; Strives for positive visitor experiences.
• Accountability - Demonstrates commitment to responsibilities and adaptable to changes; Effectively prioritizes, troubleshoots and takes appropriate actions; Follows policies and procedures, meets deadlines, quality, and safety standards; Strives to proactively, address visitor and internal colleagues' concerns.
• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems; Includes supervisor before taking action as necessary; Recommends solutions, demonstrates creativity and resourcefulness; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment in decision making process; Includes appropriate people in making decisions.
• Stewardship - Promotes and adheres to sustainability, safety and security protocols; Fosters a culture of respect, diversity and inclusion; Demonstrates effective and prudent use of Garden resources; Maximizes contributions during work hours.

Qualifications and/or Experience:

• Minimum of 2 years working on developing and delivering effective instruction (e.g. adult, youth, family education; outdoor education). Knowledge of principles and processes of environmental education and/or sustainability education required.
• Minimum of 1 year working with sustainability, conservation, or other related environmental topics required.
• Experience working with diverse audiences including K-12 students of varying grade levels, educators, and adult learners.
• Experience with leading group projects and initiatives preferred.
• Must have an interest in environmental issues and a commitment to fairly represent all sides of such issues.
• Prior experience working in a cultural institution preferred.
• Scheduling flexibility to work weekends, holidays, and evenings as needed is required.
• Ability to travel (local and/or domestic) required.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with internal team members and external organizations for the purposes of creating a commitment to common goals, prioritizing, minimizing obstacles, and executing realistic priorities in a sophisticated environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently with little instruction; coordinate and prioritize multiple tasks, set deadlines, and complete projects in a timely manner.
• Exceptional ability to communicate effectively at all levels; must enjoy and feel comfortable interacting and working in close proximity to general public, in a safe and friendly manner, answering questions.
• The Garden is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our employees, volunteers, and guests. All staff are strongly encouraged to receive all vaccinations as recommended by your healthcare provider prior to hire date. The Garden reserves the right to require future proof of current vaccination status, based on local health department guidelines. When international travel is necessary for Garden business, staff must be able to obtain required travel clearances, driving permits, and vaccinations for all countries where travel is required.
• Use of personal vehicle may be required to purchase supplies and food; regular travel to schools and community events within Missouri and Illinois surrounding areas. Travel required >50%.
• The requirements and duties listed are representative and not exhaustive of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in education, science education, ecology, environmental science, or sustainability required.
• An equivalent combination of skills, education and experience may be considered.

Language Skills:

• Ability to effectively communicate in English (oral and written).
• Accurately communicates in oral and written language.

Mathematical Skills:

• Proficient H.S. basic math aptitude: requires ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; calculate percentages and decimals; etc.

Computer Skills:

• Proficient in navigating through the Internet, and various PC applications including but not limited to Microsoft Office Suite (i.e., Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel and Word) or a similar application.
• Familiarity with use of smart boards or digital learning tools.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• Must have or be able to obtain and maintain CPR and First Aid certification.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license with class E certification.
• Must have the ability to pass a background screening and motor vehicle report (MVR) to meet minimum insurance underwriting criteria.

Physical Demands:

• Ability to stand for 100% of the two three-hour program and preparation times.
• Able to carry up to 30 lbs.

Work Environment:

• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions (i.e., in temperatures over 100°F as well as temperatures below 0°F, in rain, snow and other inclement weather conditions as needed).
• Comfortable working in immediate proximity to general public, in a safe and friendly manner, answering questions regarding sustainability.

Contacts with Individuals/Organizations Inside/Outside the Garden:

• Sustainability and Education division colleagues and volunteers
• Other Garden employees and volunteers
• School administration and teaching staff, parents and students
• Local environmental and outdoor education professionals
• Local partners and funders

Supervisor: Climate Change Education Coordinator