Educational engagement specialist

The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (Pittsburgh, PA)

The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy has been dedicated to protecting and restoring the region’s exceptional natural places since 1932. As a member-based nonprofit organization, we work in cities and towns across Western Pennsylvania and rely on the help of thousands of members, partners and volunteers. We are making a difference in our region’s water, land and life. We do this work for the benefit of wildlife and people who call Western Pennsylvania home, and for future generations.

We are seeking an individual for a part-time Educational Engagement Specialist in our Pittsburgh office. This position provides guidance, support and management of educational engagement that connects the knowledge and passion of WPC experts and the experiential value of our projects and properties to youth in our region. This person in this position will report to the Vice President of Institutional Advancement.

Duties and Responsibilities (Essential or Marginal):

Organizational support and capacity building for educational engagement (35%)

E Develops and maintain centralized data collection, record keeping and evaluation to support all organizational youth education activities, especially as related to grant-funded education initiatives.

E Manages centralized education budget, providing annual allocations, internal accounting administration and regular updates to WPC leadership.

E Develops and maintains an effective system of communication among WPC leadership and staff involved in educational engagement, including but not limited to a calendar of educational activities, engagement and funding opportunities and future developments and innovations in education.

E Establishes and deploys decision matrices, such as logic models, to guide strategic use of existing resources and considers future opportunities for educational engagement.

E Facilitates orientation, in-the-field coaching and ongoing training for staff involved in educational engagement, including but not limited to best practices in teaching and learning, partnering with educators, and conducting assessment.

E Convenes and leads interdepartmental teams for youth education collaborations, including learning goal alignment, activity development, resource allocation, supplies procurement, staffing and grant-funded outcome reporting.

Educational Partnership Development (30%)

E In collaboration with WPC staff, fosters current and develops new opportunities for strategic educational partnerships with schools and educational nonprofit organizations.

E In collaboration with WPC staff, develops customized learning plans and materials to support desired outcomes of educational activity, such as classroom visits and field experiences.

E Develops and conducts evaluation of WPC educational partnerships.

E Represents WPC within the education sector, participating in professional associations, working groups and learning communities that guide existing and innovate future nature-based teaching and learning.

E Facilitates connections between regional, statewide and national youth education programs with WPC initiatives, such as community engagement, community science and workforce development.

Youth Education Strategic Planning (30%)

E Leads integration of educational engagement into WPC strategic plan, annual planning and/or funding proposals.

E Collaborates with WPC staff and educational partners to identify, develop and support youth education projects integrated into community conservation programs.

E Identifies, develops and disseminates educational materials, curating content on regional ecological phenomena from WPC staff, properties and projects in alignment with education learning standards.

E Advises on organizational strategy relative to the education and youth development sectors in order to drive innovation, access, inclusion and equity to support diversity in conservation.

Other (5%)

E Represents youth education at various WPC meetings and committees, as assigned.

E Supports the Conservancy’s mission, cost containment and fundraising efforts and needs, as applicable.

E Collaborates with communications staff to highlight youth education in conservation.

E Functions as a community outreach/education speaker, as needed.

M Performs additional duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications:

· Education background preferred. Prior experience as an educator whether formal or non-formal is ideal.

· Background in environmental sciences and/or conservation.

· Degree in education or a degree in a science/conservation field with training or experience in education is preferred.

· Demonstrated competency in communicating and effectively interacting with people across cultures, ranges of ability, genders, ethnicities and races.

· Experience with adult education and/or continuing education programs is ideal.

· Demonstrated expertise in logistical strategic planning and evaluation of education programs.

· Accurate record keeping skills and excellent attention to detail.

· Superior verbal and interpersonal communication skills.

· Computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and database software are required.

· Ability to work evening and weekends, when necessary.

· Experience with educator professional development and/or adult continuing education and training.

· Demonstrated cultural competency working with people from diverse backgrounds.

· To be able to complete all physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.

Physical Demands / Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

· Utilizing keyboarding and fine motor skills

· Utilizing gross motor skills to operate tools and equipment

· Driving a motor vehicle

· Pushing, pulling, lifting and carrying up to (35) pounds

· Bending, twisting, stooping, crouching, kneeling, and crawling

· Reaching overhead, at, and below eye level

· Climbing up and down stairways and ladders

· Sitting/standing/walking for periods in excess of (2-3) hours

· Possesses sufficient physical stamina to conduct field investigations in rough terrain and adverse weather conditions

· Speaking and hearing in-person, telephone, and other remote speech

· Seeing with near, far, and peripheral visual acuity

· Evenings and weekend hours

Location: The position is based in our Pittsburgh office, located at 800 Waterfront Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Position Duration: This is a part-time, pension eligible opportunity.

Starting Rate: $24.95-$28.22 per hour

Application Process: Please send a cover letter, resume, salary expectations, and referral source to [email protected] and list “Educational Engagement Specialist” in the subject line.

Application Deadline: Until filled

The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity-Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status. We are fully committed to diversity and inclusion. We seek contributors from all backgrounds to join our team.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $24.95 - $28.22 per hour

Expected hours: 25 per week

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Work Location: In person