Nature Education Director - Wild Bear Nature Center

Our mission is to inspire a life-long connection to nature and community through creative  exploration of the outdoors. We are seeking a leader to become our Nature Education Director (NED) who is skilled in environmental education as well as a creative individual with great leadership skills.  We are seeking a child, family, community, and JEDIA centered leader who shares a love of nature through cutting edge teaching models. 

Lead Wild Bear’s Education Team in developing, implementing and evaluating all formal and informal educational  programs at Wild Bear Nature Center including: 

• Year round children’s programs
• Group programs and retreats
• Year round adult and family workshops
• Nature Center exhibits 
• Community Engagement initiatives

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Administrative 

• Set education goals per Wild Bear strategic plan annually for all programs. 
• Recruit, interview, hire, supervise, evaluate, support education interns, volunteers, and instructors in collaboration with NEC (Nature Education Coordinator). 
• Maintain education staff, intern, and volunteer files to meet all state childcare licensing requirements. 
• Implement program evaluations and set goals to address feedback. 
• Provide Wild Bear representation to County and Regional education opportunities and partnerships.
• Oversee and ensure communication streams with program participants.
• Set program enrollment goals and collaborate with marketing and community engagement to meet or exceed goals. 
• Supervise and support the Community Engagement Manager to set goals in the nature center and at community events. 
• Set and monitor yearly budget goals with the Executive Director and provide monthly reports to the board.

Education   

• Lead staff to plan and implement creative and cutting edge formal and informal learning opportunities for all ages. Including integrating local seasonal ecology into all programs and creative initiatives when appropriate.
• Oversee implementation of Wild Bear positive behavioral management strategies into programs
• Direct education staff to organize, utilize and enhance all educational materials, kits and guides to be mission aligned. Enhance materials with newest guides and materials and support staff to utilize in program planning. 
• Solicit/engage experts to enhance all programs with NEC and PDM (Program Development Manager).
• Supervise, evaluate, and coordinate schedule for all program staff.
• Plan and implement staff meetings, family meet and greets, program celebrations etc.
• Oversee development of educational program themes and curriculum with NEC and PDM. 
• Support NEC in scheduling and coordination of all outreach and other programs.
• Oversee NEC in supervising all aspects of Summer Nature Camp 
• Supervise NEC in ensuring all children files (including health and emergency information) are complete prior to attendance and shared with pertinent staff
• Teach programs if necessary 

Other:

• Oversight of maintenance of tracking participation numbers and program evaluation input
• Support fundraising efforts including meeting with the Development Director, attending fundraising events when necessary.
   

NATURE EDUCATION DIRECTOR PROFILE

• Believe, understand, and apply Wild Bear’s mission, vision, and values to all activities. A deep love and understanding of Earth’s living systems
• Proven creative and innovative teaching style and innately loves educating people of all ages about the natural world
• Strong positive leader with an empathetic, fun, energetic and enthusiastic
• Proven track record of supervising, developing and leading nature education for all ages with a high standard of excellences
• Environmental awareness and ethics in all aspects of program planning.
• Creative and proven ability to integrate the arts and creative projects into nature programs
• Excellent organizational skills and follows up in a timely manner
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with staff and constituents
• Strong decision making skills
• Ability to work in a variety of (indoor, outdoor-in all season) settings and lift up to 50lbs (material handling etc.)
• Takes the ball and runs: self motivated with excellent follow through
• Ability to prioritize and manage time 
• Models excellent teaching strategies and supports staff to become excellent educators  
• Seeks out training to improve and enhance leadership in programs and professional  development for self and other staff members.
• Flexible and able to step into teach when necessary 
• Has an intersectional environmental ethic, and is JEDIA focused in teaching and leadership style. 

POSITION QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in a related field or qualified experience of 3 years or more
• At least 5 years of place-based, experiential environmental education experience with various age groups 
• Experience and/or education in curriculum development and program planning
• Experience in supervising other staff members/volunteers 
• Strong computer skills such as Google Suite, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Canva, etc. 
• Clean FBI background check 
• Clean driving record. Experience driving 12-15 passenger vans preferred
   

COMPENSATION: 

$58,000 annual salary 
Full time, year-round, In person position, located in Nederland, CO 

Benefits to activate after 90 days of employment:

PTO:  accrued monthly at 80 hours/year
Personal time: 80 hours/year 
Health stipend: $150/month 
11 paid holidays per year

Deadline to Apply March 18th, 2023

Send resume, cover letter, and at least three professional references to [email protected] to apply. 

An important goal at Wild Bear is to increase diversity amongst our staff. We provide equal employment opportunities and encourage all qualified applicants to apply without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, or any other personal characteristics.