Naturalist Field School Director

~ Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES) is a non-profit environmental science education center with four sites in the Roaring Fork Valley. ~

ACES provides programs in environmental science and ecological literacy for everyone from school children, to leaders and decision makers, working to build a community of knowledgeable, motivated and capable environmental stewards.

ACES' mission, "To inspire a life-long commitment to the Earth by educating for environmental responsibility, conserving and restoring the balance of natural communities and advancing the ethic that the Earth must be respected and nurtured" has guided our programming since 1968. 

• ACES works each day to teach and inspire citizens, students, policy makers, land managers, and tourists to integrate environmental science and ecological literacy into the fabric of their daily lives.
• ACES has come a long way in 47 years and is now moving the needle on environmental education on a regional and even national level. 

Position Overview

Aspen Center for Environmental Studies seeks a Naturalist Field School Director (NFS) to oversee all aspects of the youth and adult NFS educational programs, including its staff and partnerships.

The NFS Director is also responsible for the execution of all NFS-related educational events. The NFS Director collaborates with Naturalist Director and Education Director to execute, develop, and improve ACES' youth and adult educational programs.

This person will lead, influence, manage, and maintain these programs, molding ACES' sites into an environmental learning center leader in both children's and adult environmental education.

This agenda is supported at the highest level in the organization, a key ingredient for success. The Director will participate in designing the methodology for approaching and achieving success of the program and drive its application. This is a rare opportunity to apply passion, technical knowledge, project management, and communication and people skills to facilitate cutting-edge environmental education practices.

This is a full-time, year-round position at Hallam Lake, Aspen, Colorado that reports to ACES Chief Executive Officer. The starting date for this postion is January 9, 2017 or sooner.  

Primary Duties and Responsibilities 

1. Direct all aspects of the youth Naturalist Field School educational program.
2. Direct all aspects of the adult Naturalist Field School educational program.
3. Create, manage and improve educational events. 

1. Youth Naturalist Field School Program - Enhance the quality, scope, content, enrollment, and profitability of ACES' youth educational programs.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• Assist with the creation, scheduling, organizing, and rebranding of all youth educational classes, including seasonal and year-round classes at all ACES' sites, summer apprenticeship program, and curriculum development and improvement.
• Prepare on-line registration and oversee registration process; assist with and implement database and website improvements as needed to improve registration process.
• Prepare for summer youth programs, including recruit, hire, and train staff, obtain supplies, create educator schedules, manage classroom, and appropriate carry capacity at each site.
• Greet incoming class participants and parents, direct participants, and complete daily program administration including waivers and sign-in systems.
• Evaluate and improve youth educational programs, including improvements to overall program quality, increase enrollment, and program quality at all sites.
• Collaborate with Naturalist Director and Educational Director to develop and support new and existing youth educational programs and strategic partnerships.
• Expand outreach beyond Aspen into neighboring communities, such as Basalt, Carbondale, and Glenwood Springs.
• Partner with Educational Director to support, teach, improve, and expand ACES' high school program, Tomorrow's Voices.
• Explore potential pre-school program, including license, site impacts, and risk management.
• Implement risk management policies and standards, including training of all NFS staff and teachers. Participate in on-going improvements to ACES' risk management program. Be an active member of the ACES Risk Management Team.
• Manage, oversee, and support NFS-administrative and program staff. 

2. Adult Naturalist Field School Program - Enhance the quality, scope, content, and profitability of ACES' adult educational programs.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• Evaluate and improve adult NFS programs, including increased enrollment and program scope and quality.
• Continue partnerships with Pitkin County Open Space, such as North Star Nature Preserve program.
• Support and evaluate birding programs and ACES Wild Yoga program.
• Collaborate with Naturalist Director and Education Director to develop and support new and existing strategic partnerships and programs.
• Maintain annual teacher accreditation with Adams State and cultivate additional college partnerships.

3. Educational Events - Create, manage, and improve educational events. 

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• Plan and enhance educational events, such as Mushroom Fair, Astronomy Nights, Stars above Aspen, and other events to be determined.
• Coordinate and assist Education Director with school-related educational events.
• Provide leadership role to improve Potbelly and Naturalist Nights. This may include interaction with speakers/presenters, coordination of staffing and event production. 
• Coordinate staff for educational events. 

Secondary Responsibilities:

• Support visitor experience improvements at all sites, including customer service mentoring, exhibits, activities, and family programs.
• Support site management at Hallam Lake, including general maintenance, surveillance and risk management.
• Assist with grant writing, including semi-annual alternative transportation grants.
• Manage retail operations at Hallam Lake and Rock Bottom Ranch sites.
• Assist with ACES special events.
• Participate in data base, website, and technology changes, upgrades, and improvements.
• Other duties as assigned to further the mission of ACES. 

Desired Qualifications 

• Bachelor's degree in relevant field, plus minimum 5 years relevant professional experience. While a pertinent college degree is required, individual reputation, knowledge, and experience in the environmental science and/or education sectors will be key criteria.
• Minimum of 5 years developing and managing large budgets.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience and comfort in public speaking. Director must communicate effectively with a variety of stakeholders to identify opportunities to enhance and improve pertinent program elements and effectiveness. 
• Director must possess outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, including experience interacting with the children, adults and parents. This person must demonstrate a political sensibility and be keenly sensitive to various constituencies and the diplomacy appropriate for each.
• Director must be aware of proper business practices and present programs that are practical and financially sound. Director must genuinely enjoy people and be an effective team player, while also carefully introducing, promoting, and driving change. Director will face rejection from time to time, but must be resilient and continue to plant seeds while being creative in finding alternate routes to the desired outcomes.
• Director needs to have a personality and management style that inspires others, encourages coworkers and stakeholders to present their ideas and motivates a highly diverse group of people to understand what is expected and how to achieve/own those objectives. Director must gain the respect of others by virtue of style, character, modeling best practices, expertise, and example, rather than through force or position.
• Director must be highly organized and have strong administrative and leadership skills, including experience with operating budgets and the related accountability.
• Director must have well-developed information technology skills, a requirement for the job.  

Compensation: Salary is commensurate with experience, plus a benefit package that includes an IRA, health, and dental plan. Housing may be provided.

To Apply 

• Please click below: "Apply Here!" to send your cover letter and resume.
• Note: deadline for receipt of complete application is November 18, 2016.
• No phone calls please. 

~ Aspen Center for Environmental Studies is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all federal laws. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or protected veteran or disabled status and will not be discriminated against. ~