Program Instructor, Environmental Education

~ The Ecology Center strives to foster a greater appreciation, awareness and knowledge of the natural environment and our interdependence with it through educational programs and services. ~

The Evanston Ecology Center is a City of Evanston facility. The Evanston Environmental Association (EEA) helps supports the Evanston Ecology Center, the Center's educational programs, and the Ladd Arboretum. Learn more by clicking here.

In 2014, the Evanston Ecology Center celebrated its 40th anniversary. The video below highlights the history of the center and the great impact it's had on the community.

Position Overview

The Program Instructor I position is responsible for assisting in the planning, development and facilitating of the environmental education programs at the Evanston Ecology Center. Programs may include; special events, school field trips, scout groups, canoe trips, summer camps, mini-camps and youth and adult programming.

Additional duties include assisting with animal care, display and maintenance, garden maintenance, office and file maintenance and assisting customers as needed. Duties will be performed under the supervision of the Ecology Center Program Supervisor.

Responsibilities

• Leads, and instructs participants in various activities. 
• Classes are located at the three Ecology Center sites as well as at the various schools themselves.
• Develop and prepare class materials that will foster a participant's knowledge of the environment and natural world.
• Provide pre and post class/camp organization, including taking attendance, and set-up and take down of equipment.
• Recommend purchases of necessary supplies.
• Provide animal care including feeding, cleaning and recommending supplies and food for ordering, as needed.
• Attend staff meetings, as required.
• Canoeing experience preferred.
• Encourage and demonstrate safe work habits through use of established safety program guidelines.
• Complete necessary forms for accidents and incidents.
• Maintain CPR and AED certification.
• Adhere to and enforce staff compliance with organizational policies, procedures and the strategic plan.
• Represent Ecology Center positively and ethically to patrons, guests and staff.
• Develop and maintain effective internal and external oral and written communications.
• Be at work station, ready for center defined duties at required times.
• Be available for overtime when requested.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Educational and Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree or actively seeking a Bachelors degree in Biology, environmental education, outdoor education or related field preferred.
• 1 year experience developing and leading education programs.
• Canoeing experience preferred.
• Current CPR and AED certification.
• Valid Illinois driver's license.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Good external and internal customer service skills.
• Good planning, organizational and problem solving skills.

Specifications:

Minimum Reasoning ability usually associated with this classification:

• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagrammatic form; to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in or from standardized situations.

Minimum Language ability usually associated with this classification:

• Read: Ability to read staff manuals, memoranda, and attendance sheets.
• Write: Ability to complete attendance sheets, accident reports, incident reports and camper behavior reports using prescribed format and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, and style.
• Speak: Ability to give verbal direction to subordinates, communicate effectively with co-workers, supervisors, citizens, and the public as well as other employees; speaking extemporaneously on a variety of subjects.

Amount of training, either on-the-job or formal education, usually associated with this occupation in addition to the Reasoning, Math and Language abilities detailed above:

• At least 1-3 years' experience.
• Bachelor's degree in or its equivalent in Environmental or Outdoor Education, Biology, the Natural Sciences, or a related field.

Degree of Physical Demands (strength) usually associated with the essential functions of this classification:

• Light work includes exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.
• Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for sedentary work.
• Light work usually requires walking or standing to a significant degree.
• However, if the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for sedentary work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for light work.

To Apply

Please click below: "Apply Now Online!" to email your cover letter and resume. Be sure to indicate: "Program Instructor I."