Program Coordinator

Friends of the North Fork of the Shenandoah River, Inc. Published: July 13, 2020
Location
Woodstock, VA
Skill Level
Mid Level
Job Type
Full-time
Categories
Natural Resources/ Restoration / Outreach / Advocacy / Program Management

When you apply for this position, please say you saw this job on Green Dream Jobs!!

Description

Friends of the North Fork of the Shenandoah River, Inc. (Friends) is Growing!

And we are seeking an inspired environmental educator to join as our new Program Coordinator. This person will work on our team to enhance and coordinate our Education and Science programming. We are looking to bring a talented individual on board this summer.

  • Start Date: Immediate

General Organization & Position Information

Set in the extraordinarily beautiful and serene Shenandoah Valley, Friends of the North Fork is seeking an inspired environmental educator to take on the position of Program Coordinator (PC). As a watershed conservation organization, whose focus is on protecting the Shenandoah River’s North Fork, Friends has a multi-faceted approach to its mission. Education and Science Programming encompass two of those facets. To serve them both, the PC will maintain and/or update Friends’ current Education Programs and help refresh our Science Programs and projects. Having a many-years-long relationship with several of the area’s school systems, Friends’ PC will continue to collaborate so that student-centered Science Programs align with and complement our Education Programs whenever feasible.

An educator themselves, the PC will maintain a group of volunteer and contract educators to deliver programs to students of various grades and locations throughout the watershed. Emphasis will be on Education Programs in the first year as the new PC becomes established with the organization and community. Science Programs will be developed more in the second and subsequent years, and complimentary to our Educational Programs whenever possible.

Position Context:

The Program Coordinator (PC) is a reframed, integrated position among the FNFSR staff. The PC works closely with the Executive Director (ED) and other FNFSR staff to maintain coordination and communication of program-based and overall efforts, progress, and direction. At the same time, the PC will conduct much of their work independently, and will be able to do so effectively. They will have the mutual support of FNFSR staff and the ED in this team-centered organization.

The PC will work with the ED and the Volunteer Coordinator (VC), so that the team can maintain a level of integration between Educational, Science, and Volunteer Programs – working together to achieve organizational and programmatic goals and outcomes. The PC will receive at least one performance review annually in January of each year. Weekly work schedules for the PC will be based largely on maintaining effective coordination with the FNFSR team effort, but will generally provide flexibility to accommodate other life obligations and commitments.

Major Responsibilities

Much of the range of responsibilities and opportunities of the PC are captured in, but not limited to, the following. Taken together, these should paint the picture that organizational teamwork is part of many weeks of the year:

  • Works with the ED, staff, and Public School collaborators to continue, revitalize, and where helpful (especially with COVID-related adjustments) restructure on-going environmental and watershed Education Programs.
  • Develops new environmental education lessons and programs attuned to watershed conservation, Chesapeake Bay ecology and conservation, and related topics.
  • Recruits and maintains a cadre of volunteer and contract educators to administer Education Program lessons. Periodically administers Education Program lessons.
  • Works with ED, Friends collaborators, and area school system associates to develop student-centered science-based programs, linked when possible to Friends educational Programs. Some may center on Citizen Science project designs.
  • May help seek grant-based funding for FNFSR Education and Science Programs and general support through grant research and proposal writing (or writing assistance) consistent with program goals. May assist with grant reports and administration.
  • Coordinates or oversees the coordination each year of several Environmental Home Project Workshops and Science Workshops which focus on water quality (as public health restriction reasonably allow).
  • Attends staff meetings, provides regular updates to ED and staff on Education and Science Program schedules, as well as on needs for assistance.
  • May assist with maintaining effective Social Media outreach. The PC will periodically assist fellow staff and/or the ED with other event preparations (e.g., Fish Fry Fundraiser), assist or lead some event activities (e.g., Family Fun Day booth), and/or assist with various fundraising efforts (e.g., mailings).

Qualifications

Requirements of the Position:

  • A passion for education and learning; desire to make a positive impact on the environment and the community through education, and by providing experiences that build connections to the watershed and each other.
  • Excellent skills in collaboration and communication (both written and verbal). A desire for, and comfort in, working with others.
  • A creative streak for lesson planning, and an aptitude for taking a programmatic approach to managing projects.
  • Strong organizing skills.
  • Comfort in working in both hands-on and online formats for project development, coordination, planning, and delivery (when needed).
  • Familiarity with rural/agricultural communities, and with natural resources concerns/practices/management are all pluses.
  • Familiarity and comfort in working with or within Public School systems, or similar, is a plus.
  • Three to four years, or more experience working in environmental educational programs is preferred. Familiarity or experience with non-profit work is also a plus.

Compensation

  • The Program Coordinator position is a 30-hour per week, part-time, year-round position in a dynamic work environment.
  • Compensation will be $18-$23/hour, depending on experience and skills.
  • Although additional traditional benefits are modest (some paid leave, holidays off, access to dental and vision plans), we strive to provide a flexible schedule.

To Apply

  • Please click "Apply" below to email a cover letter, resumé, and three references.
  • Position open until filled.
  • Applications are welcomed until such time as a candidate is selected and announced on our website.

Note: First interviews will begin the week of July 13, 2020.

When you apply for this position, please say you saw this job on Green Dream Jobs!!

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