Job Opportunity
Environmental Educator
The Anacostia Watershed Society (AWS) seeks a full-time Environmental Educator to inspire and inform youth of all ages about the wonders of the natural world, particularly the workings of the Anacostia Watershed. Through AWS’s environmental education programs, this position will teach watershed education in area classrooms, lead field trips on the Anacostia River, conduct teacher trainings, and engage students in meaningful service learning projects. In addition, the Environmental Educator will provide information to and recruit area schools and teachers to participate in AWS programs. The Environmental Educator is a full member of the Education Team, works directly with the Manager of Education, and works collaboratively across the organization.
This is an exciting opportunity to leverage existing relationships while developing new partnerships and providing strong education, restoration, and engagement for this critical piece of the AWS strategy, furthering its mission to protect and restore the Anacostia River and its watershed communities.
About the Anacostia Watershed Society
Since its founding in 1989, the Anacostia Watershed Society has worked to attend to the environmental needs of the Anacostia River and its watershed communities. Over the past 27 years, AWS has grown and developed from a small group of concerned individuals into an award-winning $4 million non-profit that is deeply involved in a cause that affects many different communities within the 176 square mile region of the Washington, D.C. metro area.
As part of its mission, the Anacostia Watershed Society is invested in local areas, working with schools and students throughout Washington, D.C. and Montgomery and Prince George’s counties, engaging them in an experience that educates them through hands-on service and allows them to play a part in the continuing improvement of the Anacostia Watershed. In addition, AWS serves as a voice for the river; advocating for and actively involving itself in policies, actions, and programs that protect its ecological health, improve water quality, and work to mitigate the negative effects of stormwater, bacteria, and trash.
Throughout AWS’s existence, much progress has been made. The river has been subjected to heavy pollution for centuries and considered unfit for fishing and swimming for decades. It was once littered with trash and the wetlands had been almost entirely destroyed. With the work of AWS and help from others, we are now at a point where it is possible to look away from past devastation and focus on the future. The organization works towards a “Waterway to 2025” and envisions a future where the river is swimmable and fishable by 2025.
Key Accountabilities:
- Implement meaningful environmental education program activities as needed to support achieving Education Team objectives.
- Collaboratively promote and implement the teacher training program.
- Assist with program development, evaluation, and fundraising, as requested.
- Participate in organization-wide efforts, strategic planning, and other tasks as assigned.
Key Requirements:
- A command of the required technical information relevant to environmental science, teaching, and managing K-12 classrooms, Project WET curriculum, and other AWS education programs.
- Interest in conservation, enthusiasm for the outdoors, and ability to work with children of all ages, especially urban youth.
- Ability to collaboratively evaluate effectiveness, adapt program design and implementation, develop annual work plans, etc.
- Self-motivation, innovation, and resourcefulness in doing whatever it takes to get the job done well.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including persuasive and effective communication that forwards the purpose and mission of the organization; familiarity with use of computers and the internet.
- A strong and active interest in learning and personal growth, including actively and reflectively pursuing growing self-awareness and receiving feedback from colleagues.
- Willing, motivated, and able to work some evenings and weekends, and travel to schools, field sites and visit donors/prospects as requested.
- Boating and paddling experience preferred.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:
- Minimum 3-4 years of experience working as a conservation/environmental educator, with experience working with children/youth and adults.
- Bachelor’s degree preferred.
- Demonstrated success in effective program design and delivery.
- Experience with community engagement and outreach.
- Some medium to heavy lifting (such as canoes kayaks, and other equipment).
- Demonstrated success in working cross functionally to execute on program that will engage partners and members, and drive behavior change.
We are offering a compensation package that includes a competitive base salary and benefits package.
Interested applicants should email a résumé formally expressing your interest to askhr@anacostiaws.org.
AWS encourages and embraces diversity.