Community Nature Educator at Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy

Reports to: Director of Education and the Frick Environmental Center

Work Status: Full Time

FLSA Status: Exempt

Compensation: $40,00-46,000

Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy (PPC) Mission Statement

Improving the quality of life for the people of Pittsburgh by restoring the park system to excellence in partnership with government and the community. Projects and programs are conducted with respect for the environment, historic design, and the needs of our diverse region.

Position Summary

The Community Nature Educator serves as a member of the Education team by leading the development and delivery of high-quality education programs that advance peoples understanding of and commitment to the natural and cultural resources found in Pittsburgh’s public parks. This position builds and sustains partnerships with community-based organizations, implementing nature-based learning experiences for school age children and learners of all ages. Programming and outreach efforts are focused on, but not limited to, the neighborhoods of Homewood, Hazelwood, the Hilltop, and the Hill District. This position represents the Parks Conservancy in the community and works to find ways to advance the mission of the PPC while being responsive to the needs of the individuals we serve and the partners with whom we work.

The ideal candidate has strong interpersonal skills, recognizes the intersection of economic disparity, environmental justice, understands natural systems, and can articulate the importance of parks and green spaces in relation to individual and community well-being. The candidate should be an adaptive leader that excels working collaboratively and independently.

Position Duties

Performs under the general supervision of the Director of Education and the Frick Environmental Center and is responsible for, but not limited to the following duties:

• Build upon existing curriculum to design engaging nature-based learning experiences that promote curiosity and comfort in nature. Experiences include, but are not limited to hikes, crafts, games, gross motor play, and inquiry-based observation.
• Deliver nature-based experiences outlined above in community learning spaces such as afterschool programs, summer camps and community parks with a focus on positive youth development principles, inclusive practices and hands-on, minds-on learning.
• Develop and sustain partnerships with youth and family serving organizations through outreach, ongoing communication, collaborative programming, reflection and assessment.
• Support the development and maintenance of partnership programs with such entities as Citiparks, non-profits, local schools, universities and community organizations.
• Create a safe, supportive learning environment for all learners through positive reinforcement, role-modeling and cultural sensitivity.
• Serve as the lead representative and meet all deliverables for the PNC Grow Up Great Buzzword Initiative, which provides early learning and literacy to young children and their families.
• Work collaboratively as a member of the education team supporting the delivery of K-12 school-based outdoor education programs and uplift opportunities to make connections across school partnerships and community programs.
• Lead and contribute to the planning and implementation of family-based public programs and special events such as Bump in the Night and Earth Month.
• Manage part-time staff or interns as assigned.
• Effectively and consistently document program impact and maintain internal tracking of education and outreach programs to support grant proposals and grant reporting.
• Interface with the community engagement and visitor experience departments in developing holistic strategies for working with community partners and stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Strong interest in nature and environmental education with a desire to share it with children.
• Experience working directly with diverse populations of youth in a school, afterschool, camp settings, or equivalent post-secondary experience in a related field.
• Experience with developing and sustaining authentic community-based relationships.
• A valid Driver’s License.
• Either have or have the ability to obtain the following within 60 days of hire:
  • Department of Human Services Child Abuse History Clearance;
  • Pennsylvania State Police Request for Criminal Records Check;
  • Federal Criminal History Record Information (CHRI)
  • First Aid and CPR/AED certification

Other Requirements

The work conducted by this position will be in offices, outdoors, and in remote settings. The work will be conducted at a variety of times of the day, with evenings, weekends and irregular hours being necessary to achieve objectives and meet deadlines.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential duties.

This position requires the ability to walk, stand, stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, pull, push, feel, grasp, lift, talk, see, hear and perform repetitive motions. The ability to remain in a sitting or standing position for extended periods of time, as well as traverse uneven or slippery terrain, is also required.

Benefits

The PPC offers the following benefits package to all full-time employees.

• Health, vision, and dental insurance
• Life insurance and short-term/long-term disability insurance offered at no-cost to employee
• Aflac supplemental insurance
• Twenty (20) paid vacation days and ten (10) paid company holidays, increasing to twenty-five (25) paid vacation days after three years of employment.
• 403(b) retirement savings program with 8% company match
• Paid parental leave
• Hybrid work model
• Professional development opportunities
• Discount on PPC merchandise

The PPC is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or other protected characteristics.