Education Program Facilitator

~ It is Allegheny Land Trust 's (ALT) mission to serve as the lead land trust conserving and stewarding lands that support the scenic, recreational, and environmental well-being of communities in Allegheny County and its environs. ~

In support of this mission, ALT has recently started an outdoor and environmental education department. ALT is an independent Pennsylvania nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization incorporated in 1993 to protect land of natural value in and adjacent to Allegheny County; it helps local people save local land that contributes to the scenic, recreational, educational, and environmental wealth of our communities. We’ve protected more than 2,100 acres in Allegheny and Washington Counties.

Allegheny Land Trust operates with a full-time staff and dozens of dedicated volunteers, and is governed by a distinguished board of volunteer directors from area corporations, non-profits, and universities. These are your neighbors who bring to ALT a variety of skills, experience, and dedication to protect the natural heritage of our communities.

Position Overview

ALT is currently seeking energetic, motivated Education Program Facilitators to be part of our new outdoor and environmental education department by teaching our hands-on curriculum to students ages 2 through adult via both in-class and field based school programs, daytime and evening naturalist hikes, environmental camps, and more.

With flexible schedules and a variety of topics and settings these positions are ideal for individuals who work well as independent facilitators as well as part of a cohesive team. Applicants should have a love for conservation local green spaces, and a willingness to teach about nature in nature to encourage stewardship in current and future generations. Facilitators will need to work well in classroom settings and have the ability to work in outdoor classroom settings where they may need to hike moderately, keep the attention of a wide variety of educational groups, carry equipment to and from sites, and work in a variety of weather conditions.

ALT welcomes a variety of facilitator backgrounds and strengths focusing on but not limited to an applicable working knowledge of Southwestern Pennsylvania ecology and current environmental issues, formal and/or non-formal educational experience with students of varying ages and abilities, knowledge of local land conservation efforts and stewardship, the ability to “think on your feet” and adapt to teachable moments, good group management skills, and the ability to connect your students to the land in a way that is both tangible and memorable for knowledge retention.

Program Facilitators work on an as-needed basis with an extremely flexible schedule. Casual Facilitators are required to work at least four days in each of our busy months (May-October) and one day per other calendar months during their employment. We are currently seeking multiple educators for this position with immediate start dates available.

• New Program Facilitators are required to attend a paid staff training upon hire
• Daytime availability is preferred but all availabilities will be considered
• Hours: On an as-needed basis

Responsibilities

Educational duties:

• Act as a strong environmental role model for ages 2 – 18 while leading school groups in hands-on outdoor classes
• Enthusiastic leadership of community programs both on and off-site
• Engage the public during public relation outreach programs (community days etc.)

Administrative duties:

• Personal preparation for the presentation of all programs
• Be on time for all programs (on and off-site)
• Correct records management (timesheet, mileage, student counts etc.)
• Maintenance of teaching sites and materials
• Attend the mandatory staff trainings (1/season)

Qualifications

• Act 33/34, 151 and 114 clearances or ability to obtain them
• Knowledge of Pennsylvania flora and fauna
• CPR & First Aid certification or ability to obtain them
• Reliable transportation
• Ability to hike over uneven/steep terrain with materials
• Ability to stand for moderate periods of time (1 – 4 hours)

Experience Preferred but Not Required:

• Degree in Education, Science or other environmental related area highly preferred
• Hands-on experience with multiple age groups ranging from Preschool through Adults
• Previous teaching experience in the environmental field
• Summer day camp experience (for summer season)

Compensation

• $11.00 per hour