Education Specialist

Job Description: The Education Specialist is responsible for leading Save The Bay’s Canoes In Sloughs and Discover The Bay education programs and select Community-based Restoration programs. The Specialist serves as a mentor and support for part-time seasonal Field Educators modeling best practices in experiential, hands-on environmental education. The Education Specialist supports Save The Bay’s education team by developing and implementing staff training, conducting staff evaluations, and coordinating logistical needs. The Specialist also assists with curriculum development, research, and administrative tasks. The Education Specialist reports to the Education Director.

This is a great position for someone who is passionate about education, enjoys educating youth and adults outdoors while taking on a leadership role with other field educators, and is interested in supporting critical departmental functions for high-quality program implementation.

The Education Specialist is a full-time position with approximately 3 to 4 days per week in the field, and 1 to 2 days per week in the office. Schedule is Tuesday-Saturday with occasional exceptions.

Job Duration: Year Round

Primary Responsibilities:

• Teach adult and youth audiences about the San Francisco Bay wetlands and watershed on daylong Canoes In Sloughs, Discover The Bay, and Community-based Restoration educational programs. Groups include: middle and high school students and their teachers; Save The Bay members; donors; corporate and community groups.
  
• Programmatic duties include: preparing for and co-leading canoe trips through wetlands in the Bay; leading wetland restoration projects for volunteer groups; and conducting hands-on engaging environmental education activities
  
• Serve as mentor teacher for part-time Field Educators, maintaining high standards for Save The Bay’s programs. Assist Education Department with training, field observation and evaluation of new Field Educators.
  
• Conduct in-class pre and post trip lessons for schools
  
• Lead habitat restoration projects with a focus on non-native plant removal, native plant propagation and outplantings, shoreline clean-ups, and eelgrass monitoring
  
• Ensure rigorous safety standards are adhered to during all programs
  
• Manage replenishment and maintenance of on-the-water educational program equipment, including maps, water quality testing kits, field guides etc.
  
• Assist with program development, ongoing evaluation, research and improvement of program implementation in the field
  
• Conduct and assist in planning teacher professional development programs
  
• Coordinate and conduct outreach to fill summer youth programs
  
• Assist with administrative work including mailings, confirmation paperwork, filing, research, reprinting education program materials
  
• Assist with the creation of new curriculum for field and classroom use
  
• Other duties as assigned

To apply for the Field Educator position, please send resume and cover letter to sigridsavesfbay.org, Subject line: Education Specialist or mail to:

Save The Bay
Attn: Sigrid Mueller, Director of Education
350 Frank Ogawa Plaza, Suite 900
Oakland, CA 94612

Qualifications:

• Required:
  • College degree (B.A. or B.S.) in Education, Ecology, Environmental Studies, Marine Biology or equivalent experience
    
  • At least three years experience providing high-quality education, preferably teaching outdoor environmental education programs to youth
    
  • Energy and enthusiasm for working with middle and high school students, teachers and adults while managing their safety, and teaching them about the Bay
    
  • Ability to lead staff trainings, serve as a senior educator and give constructive feedback to other educators.
    
  • Experience working with diverse student populations and people with differing ability levels
    
  • Strong knowledge of and interest in biology, watershed and wetland science is preferred. Willingness to learn is a must
    
  • Able to transition from field work to office projects with ease, showcasing initiative and accountability with ongoing office projects.
    
  • Physical ability to lift and carry heavy objects (65 lb. canoes and other equipment), perform rescues of people from the water and perform canoe-over-canoe rescues (training provided and required)
    
  • Keen judgment in relation to water safety with strong swimming skills
    
  • Wilderness First Aid and CPR certified (If not certified, training courses are offered frequently and partially subsidized by Save The Bay)
    
  • Must present evidence of clean motor vehicle record, proof of auto insurance, a valid California driver’s license and submit to a criminal background check
    
  • Ownership (or unrestricted access) to a vehicle to use for work purpose
    
  • Initiative, creativity, and collaborative work style; attention to detail
    
  • Passion for and commitment to Save The Bay’s mission
    
  • Able and willing to work Tuesday-Saturday schedule with occasional Sunday or Monday work
    
  • Professional attitude and appearance
• Preferred:
  • Knowledge of environmental issues impacting San Francisco Bay
    
  • Curriculum development experience
    
  • Experience with Bay Area schools and/or Bay Area youth organizations
    
  • Boating and water safety/rescues experience strongly preferred
    
  • Experience leading habitat restoration projects
    
  • Familiarity with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, In Design
    
  • Fluency in Spanish a plus

Salary: Salary will range between low to mid-thirties including generous benefits

Housing & Meals: Not Provided

Deadline for Application: open until filled
Start Date / Job Period: ASAP

Contact: Sigrid Mueller
Address: 350 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Suite 900 Oakland, CA 94612
e-mail: sigridsavesfbay.org
Website: www.savesfbay.org