Grand Traverse Conservation District
Vacancy Announcement
Education Director
POSITION OBJECTIVE:
To conceive, design, develop, implement, seek support for, oversee and evaluate the District’s environmental education programs at the Boardman River Nature Center and in the communities it serves.
RELATIONSHIPS:
The Education Director reports to, and is supervised by, the District’s Executive Director. The Education Director supervises all other members of the Education Program team.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
· Lifts and handles materials of up to 30 pounds without assistance.
· Safely operates a motor vehicle and is licensed to do so.
· Efficiently operates a personal computer.
· Communicates effectively, both verbally and in writing, in the English language.
· Able to work efficiently outdoors in varying conditions and terrain.
· Must be able to work flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
· Conceives, designs, develops and oversees implementation of educational programs, exhibits, events and presentations that promote natural resource stewardship among the area’s youth and adult populations.
· Supervises, evaluates and ensures adequate training for all Education Program staff and volunteers.
· Oversees operations of the Boardman River Nature Center, including use by other groups and individuals.
· Recruits, coordinates and oversees the stewardship of the District’s volunteers.
· Develops and oversees implementation of annual work plans and budgets for the Education Program and Nature Center Operations.
· Works with the Executive Director and the Development Coordinator to seek, solicit and obtain adequate funding for educational programs and Nature Center operations.
· Interacts and collaborates with non-teaching fish, wildlife and natural resource technicians and professionals.
· Plans and coordinates educational workshops and events.
· Develops and maintains a positive, welcoming and cooperative relationship with Nature Center users, partners, donors and other stakeholders.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Required:
· Bachelor’s degree in biological sciences, education or other field related to the mission of the Grand Traverse Conservation District.
· Three to five year’s relevant professional experience, including educational program development.
· Demonstrated and successful track record in resource development, fund raising, and grant writing for projects in excess of $50,000.
· A minimum of three year’s experience in volunteer coordination and stewardship.
· Proven verbal and written communication skills and experience.
Preferred:
· Master’s degree in biological sciences, education or other field related to the mission of the Grand Traverse Conservation District.
· Proven experience in project team management, involving both internal and external partners.
· A minimum of two year’s management experience, including planning, supervision, budget development and management.
· Experience in managing a nature or education center.
· Proven positive collaboration experience with other natural resource organizations.
Abilities:
· Computer literacy including working knowledge of Windows platform and software, especially the Microsoft Office package. Familiarity with eTapestry is beneficial.
· Exceptional organizational and management skills.
· Excellent oral, telephonic and written communication skills in the English language.
· Ability to interact, communicate and teach audiences of all ages, including teachers and volunteers.
· Fund raise and interact positively with prospective donors and supporters
· Ability to develop initiatives and follow through to implementation, evaluation and improvement.
· Excellent social and interpersonal skills and can relate positively with people of different ages and abilities.
· Current certification, or willingness to become certified in CPR and basic first aid.
· Maintains a valid driver's license.
COMPENSATION:
The Education Director is a full-time position. Compensation: $38,000 to $44,000 annually. Benefits include health insurance coverage for employee, 10 paid holidays, 13 vacation days and up to 13 paid sick days per year.
PREFERRED START DATE: 14 August 2008
TO APPLY: Call the District office at 231.941.0960 to obtain an application form, or download a copy from the District’s website by clicking here: Employment Application Send application and cover letter (resume’ optional) to:
Grand Traverse Conservation District
1450 Cass Rd.
Traverse City, MI 49684
Applications must be received no later than 4:30 PM EDT, Wednesday, 30 July 2008.
The Grand Traverse Conservation District is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate in employment, promotions, or compensation on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, age, marital status, handicap, or veteran
status.
Grand Traverse Conservation District
Brand Position Statement
The mission of the Grand Traverse Conservation District is to inspire exploration, appreciation and conservation of our natural world.”It is our vision to become the leader in providing responsive services to gain a commitment from the diverse communities we serve to sustain, improve and preserve the quality of our natural environment.
District Values :
+ We interact with others in a respectful and open manner, with honesty and integrity.
+ Our advice, decisions and actions are responsive and responsible, based upon our understanding of the current science.
+ Our services, products and information are high quality and cost-effective.
+ We are driven by the needs of our natural environment and the needs of those who seek our services.
+ We focus our work to achieve changes in behavior that will help all of us to sustain, improve and preserve the quality of our natural environments.
District Goals :
+ Sustain natural resources.
+ Educate the community about the environment.
+ Change people’s behavior about how they use natural resources.
+ Repair damage to natural resources.
+ Maintain good quality-of-life for the communities we serve.
Our external values:
+ Passionate: We have a true passion for nature, the people we serve, and strive to nurture the link between them.
+ Knowledgeable: We believe education is an essential tool to connect our communities with the wonders of the natural world. Delivered effectively, natural education can foster lasting environmental stewardship.
+ Conservation-focused: We strive to sustain, preserve and improve the natural lands we manage and assist private landowners in doing the same.
+ Leadership: We seek to be the trusted source in providing balanced, sensible guidance for public and private land resource management that’s rooted in experience, best practices and technical expertise.
+ Recreation: We believe accessing nature should be fun, engaging and interactive experience.
Consumer Benefits :
+ We have a new venue, The Boardman River Nature Center, set in the heart of nature to provide quality natural education programming and volunteer opportunities to our communities.
+ We manage public lands for low-impact recreation that are convenient and accessible throughout the Grand Traverse Region.
+ We provide natural areas that enable people to escape to the serenity of nature and engage in a full sensory experience—sight, sound, texture and smell.
+ We serve as a point-of-entry to virtually anything nature-related.
+ We provide skilled land resource management consulting for our communities.
+ We make experiencing the natural world fun.
Brand Position:
+ We are the only community conservation organization that administers such a broad knowledge and service base for natural resource initiatives—from community education and outreach to public and private natural resource management.
+ We are the gateway organization for natural education, assistance and resource management for the Grand Traverse area.
+ We are the local source for natural resource support.
CORE Brand Promise:
+ We promise to provide balanced, sensible guidance for public and private natural resource management that’s rooted in science, experience, best practices and technical expertise.
+ We will inspire beneficial, sensible and enjoyable interaction with the natural world through education.