Environmental Education Coordinator

Formed in 1982, RethinkWaste is a joint powers authority comprised of 12 Member Agencies (Atherton, Belmont, Burlingame, East Palo Alto, Foster City, Hillsborough, Menlo Park, Redwood City, San Carlos, San Mateo, the County of San Mateo and the West Bay Sanitary District) in San Mateo County and is a leader in implementing innovative waste reduction and recycling programs. RethinkWaste also owns and manages the Shoreway Environmental Center in San Carlos that includes a permitted solid waste transfer station and a recycling processing facility. The Agency's legal name is the South Bayside Waste Management Authority (SBWMA.) For more information on RethinkWaste, please visit our website at www.RethinkWaste.org.

Position Overview:

The Environmental Education Coordinator is responsible for the operation of the environmental education programs of the Shoreway Environmental Education Center in San Carlos. The Coordinator oversees field trips with the theme of resource conservation primarily for 4th grade thru 6th grade classes, though field trips will be tailored for other grade levels as well. This is a new program starting in October 2011 with museum quality exhibits and learning activities to be completed and in place by mid September 2011. The position works independently and reports to the Facility Operations Contracts Manager. The position will split time between the Shoreway facility and the RethinkWaste offices in San Carlos.

A seasonal position will also be filled to assist the Coordinator with the management of tours. The position will attend meetings and planning sessions at the Authority's offices in San Carlos. Selected candidate(s) for the position must be able to provide own means of transportation.

Responsibilities:

Management/Implementation:

• Conduct field trips primarily for 4th thru 6th grade classes.
• Develop and update age-appropriate examples of reduce, reuse, recycle, compost and other resource conservation messages and hands-on exercises, walking tour stop descriptions, and student reflections.
• Develop and update curriculum materials for teachers to extend the field trip experience into the classroom.
• Develop, lead and evaluate Shoreway Education Center workshops for teachers, and other community educators.
• Conduct outreach to recruit San Mateo County teachers to participate in field trip program. Work closely with RecycleWorks and others in conducting such outreach.
• Develop, administer and analyze evaluation methods and tools for teachers, students, chaperones, and staff.
• Update field trip outline to address learning objectives, using environmental education best practices.
• Conduct day-to-day supervision and provide direction to Education Center Associate and volunteers or interns if applicable.
• Lead the orientation and training, both initial and ongoing, of Education Center Associate and volunteers or interns if applicable.

Program Coordination/Logistics:

• Schedule and maintain a calendar for field trips, buses, and staff.
• Coordinate all field trip logistics including confirming buses, assembling teacher confirmation packets, and communication with teachers and schools.
• Manage contract(s) with a bus company(ies) providing transportation services.
• Oversee set-up and clean-up of field trips including preparing Education Center classroom space and activity props, and safety equipment.
• Ensure that teachers and chaperones know and follow safety rules.
• Maintain appropriate classroom decorum.
• Purchase necessary supplies and safety equipment.
• Maintain a professional working relationship with South Bay Recycling staff.
• Ensure proper functioning of the Education Center building including educational exhibits, learning activities, and reuse art pieces and facilitate building repairs and maintenance.
• Coordinate, lead and evaluate afterschool and summer field trip program.

Administrative:

• Write field trip marketing and registration materials.
• Write and update website description for Education Center program.
• Enter evaluation data into database, and other information into appropriate log or spreadsheets.
• Synthesize field trip program information into reports.
• Track and document work hours for staff.
• Work responsibly with Education Center budget and work plan.

Other:

• Assist with coordination of public events at the Shoreway Environmental Center.
• Support meetings and workshops that occur at the Education Center.
• Participate in regional efforts, including meetings, workshops, and special events with other environmental educators.

Qualifications

Knowledge:

Knowledge of environmental education and/or experience in teaching environmental practices and messaging to students (primarily elementary grades) in a non-formal educational setting; the integrated waste management hierarchy and the concepts of reduce, reuse, recycle, and compost; instructional and training methods and techniques.

Ability:

Ability to communicate and interact with children (i.e., primarily 4th thru 6th graders); work independently; organize thoughts and effectively communicate both orally and in writing; be self-directed; manage personal time and be punctual; interpret and apply policies and procedures; willingness to learn new skills; communicate and participate in a team setting; work in an outdoor setting where there are loud sounds, dust, and various weather conditions and be able to lift 50 pounds.

Skills:

Proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public and provide quality customer service. Computer skills including word processing, spreadsheet, database entry, and Internet research.

Experience and Education / Training Guidelines:

Any combination equivalent to experience, training and education that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities would be:

• Experience: 3 years of responsible professional experience in source reduction, recycling and/or waste management programs as well as a demonstrated experience in conducting group educational/training sessions and presentations and or public speaking directly related to the area of assignment. Experience providing direction to and oversight of staff, and/or working on a variety of diverse tasks and assignments.
• Education: Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in education, environmental science, resources

Desirable Qualifications:

Familiarity with environmental education programs and strategies for teaching school age students about resource conservation. Familiarity with communities in San Mateo County is a plus, as is familiarity with current waste management issues and practices.

Compensation: Regular, Part-time (32 hours a week), Exempt. Salary Range of $4,993 - $6,241 per month (full-time). Excellent benefits package

Filing Deadline: August 22, 2011 at 5:00 p.m.

To Apply:

Please submit a cover letter and resume.

Kevin McCarthy, Executive Director
RethinkWaste
610 Elm Street, Suite 202
San Carlos, CA 94070

No faxes or postmarks accepted