Live and work on an island in the Pacific Ocean. The CATALINA ISLAND CONSERVANCY is seeking a creative person with strong applied environmental education skills for the position of DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION. This position will be responsible for developing, implementing, and supervising an innovative ecological education program consisting of adult outreach and school-based programs and interpretive facilities using the understandings and methods of environmental education to effect positive change in ecological literacy and cultural behavior.
To be considered for this position, submit your resume/CV and salary requirements to [email protected]. POSITION: Director of Education REPORTS TO: Chief of Conservation and Education STATUS: Full time, Exempt ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 1) Develops and implements an innovative, integrated program of ecological education consisting of adult outreach and school-based programs and interpretive facilities that incorporates relevant understandings of ecology, and cutting-edge environmental education in order to effect positive change in ecological literacy and cultural and individual behavior; 2) manages multiple physical interpretive facilities developing and updating interpretive content, panels, videos, and displays; 3) aggressively identifies and pursues funding opportunities from foundations, organizations, and government agencies to assist in financing education programs and projects, research, and appropriate data collection; 4) hires and supervises permanent and seasonal staff for Department of Education and maintains payroll and human resource records for assigned employees and develops, coordinates, trains, and implements safety policy and procedures for assigned areas; 6) develops and manages operating and capital budgets, including purchasing services and materials, preparation of capital equipment specifications, and coordinating budget expenditures; 7) recommends to Chief of Conservation and Education appropriate environmental education programs and practices to improve the ability of the Conservancy to accomplish the mission of Conservation, Education, and Recreation; 8) effectively communicates project, data collection, and research results through appropriate professional organizations and publications, staff training and technical direction, presentations for general public and internal publications and external media. Coordinates, stimulates, and assists in planning and implementing ecological education programs and projects with government agencies and NGOs, universities, and colleges; 9) works closely with Director of Visitor Services and the Director of Conservation and Wildlife Management on project implementation and keeps the Chief of Conservation and Education informed of essential issues; 10) updates and enhances knowledge by continuing education for professional growth, i.e., attends relevant conferences, seminars, and certification programs; 11) performs other duties as needed or assigned. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS. Demonstrated experience in designing and implementing innovative environmental education programs. Experience in managing nature centers and other interpretation infrastructure (signs, trails, gardens, etc.) as well as guided tours very desirable. Strong experience in project and grant management. Strong management experience in supervising full-time and part-time staff and volunteers required. Demonstrated experience in budget management and grant writing. Strong natural history field skills (birds, plants, geology, etc.) and familiarity with Southern California flora, ecology, indigenous cultures, and natural history desirable. COMPLEXITY/PROBLEM SOLVING. Able to think critically and creatively to develop solutions to complex environmental education, cultural change, conservation, facility operations, and land use problems. Ability to adapt and respond to unexpected or unplanned educational, ecological (e.g. fire, drought, new invasions), or programmatic (e.g. changes in organizational priorities or funding) circumstances while still progressing towards core program objectives. Excellent problem solving skills. Ability to analyze diverse facts and develop clear, concise reports and recommendations. Solid understanding of the social, legal, and ecological basis for land management policies that influence ecosystem restoration and management decisions. Ability to function flexibly and effectively in a complex organizational environment with a range of different departments and operations. Ability to work both independently and as part of a team is essential. COMMUNICATIONS/INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS. Strong communication skills (internal and external) extremely important. Ability to function and thrive in role of internal consultant within a complex, multi-goal (conservation, education, recreation) organization with diverse professional staff (scientists, operations professionals, visitor experience managers, marketing and public relations) is crucial. Excellent written and oral communication skills are needed. EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE: Masters degree in Environmental Education, Anthropology (Ecological, Environmental), or a related field in the natural or social sciences (ecology, biology, zoology, etc.) or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Several years of progressively more complicated and more responsible applied experience is expected, especially within conservation or governmental land use or similar organizational environments. DEMANDS: Employee must live and work on Catalina Island. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions for this job: the Director of Education work location is at the Nature Center in Avalon Canyon in Avalon, CA; the location has moderate noise levels and is a non- smoking environment. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job: the authority of the job duties are performed in an office environment; the employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
