Senior Coordinator, Conservation Education, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Employer National Audubon Society
Created 05/01/2024
Reference 240253420
Country United States
State Pennsylvania
City Philadelphia
Zip 19102
Salary -

Philadelphia, PA
Full time
Posted Yesterday
JR305

Position Summary
With a century of conservation history, the National Audubon Society strives to conserve and restore the habitats we share with all wildlife, focusing on the needs of birds.

Located in Audubon’s Mid-Atlantic Region, the Discovery Center is a partnership between Audubon, The Philadelphia Outward Bound School, and the City of Philadelphia. Opening in 2018, The Discovery Center is in East Fairmount Park on the bank of the Strawberry Mansion reservoir, an important stop on the Atlantic flyway for migratory birds, and an Important Bird Area (IBA) as recognized by the National Audubon Society.

The Sr. Coordinator, Conservation Education will report to the Public Programs Manager and will play a lead role in the development and execution of conservation education programming at the Discovery Center. Specifically, the Sr. Conservation Education Coordinator will be responsible for the programs delivered at The Discovery Center that are focused on integrating conservation science into school and other group science demonstration experiences and supporting events on and off-site.

Additionally, they will build and maintain partnerships with Philadelphia-based conservation organizations, schools, and Minority Serving Institutions. The candidate must be a strategic thinker who is skilled at building internal and external partnerships. They should also be an effective communicator. Educational content and programs should align with Audubon’s mission and further national, regional (Mid-Atlantic) and Center strategic goals with an emphasis on engagement that is equitable, diverse, and inclusive.

Compensation:


$50,000-$55,000 / year
Essential Functions
Student Programming
  • In collaboration with the Public Programs Manager, develop programs that align Center activities with regional conservation goals that are focused on building more resilient bird habitats in the focal areas of Pennsylvania’s forests; the Delaware River watershed and Philadelphia.

  • Deliver creative and engaging nature science and conservation education curriculum for school-aged students (grades 1-8) that meet PA Education Standards, and utilize the unique natural, historic and interpretive assets of the Discovery Center. Adapt programming for students with multiple learning abilities.

  • Help lead workshops and other training activities for teachers.

  • Oversee on and off-site or virtual field trips (school, summer camp, home school, youth groups) including development and delivery of age-appropriate conservation education and coordination of hands-on conservation actions.

  • Coordinate program logistics with teachers, chaperones, and partner organizations’ staff.

  • Responsible for registration, scheduling, pre- and post-program communication, and provide monthly reports regarding activities.


  • Conservation Demonstration Programming
  • Work with external conservation partner organizations to integrate on-site and school-based education and skill-learning into the Discovery Center’s educational programming and lesson plans.

  • Lead community science initiatives and demonstrations at the Discovery Center, such as scheduling Backyard Bird count activities, Big Sits, ecological monitoring programs, etc. Making a good-faith effort to involve students and residents of North Philadelphia into community science initiatives.

  • Mussel Maniacs program: a freshwater mussel propagation program initiated by partners across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware to combat this decline by propagating new mussels and rebuild the population in the watershed coordinate volunteers and supplies on a month-to-month basis.

  • Represent the Discovery Center in the monthly programming, and mussel propagation, and attend Aquatic Research and Restoration Center (ARRC) meetings.

  • Work with nearby colleges and MSI’s to offer educational programming, volunteer experiences, and community outreach.


  • Other Duties
  • Assist the Public Programs Manager in establishing evaluation methods and measures for all school-aged and community science initiatives.

  • Collaborate in developing proposals and written reports to funders; understand and prioritize deliverables related to grants.

  • Under the supervision of the program manager, train and supervise program volunteers or seasonal staffs to deliver programs as needed.

  • Collaborate in developing proposals and written reports to funders; understand and prioritize deliverables related to grants.

  • Be part of the education team that works closely with the Philadelphia Outward Bound School to provide joint community programming to the center visitors.


  • Qualifications and Experience
  • Bachelor's degree in conservation, natural sciences, or science education preferred with experience in a conservation education setting including teaching, management experience and curriculum development.

  • 2-3 years' experience working with children on education programs.

  • Experience in conservation, ecology, or ornithology strongly preferred.

  • Excellent communication and writing skills are essential.

  • Strong interpersonal and social skills with a positive attitude and good sense of humor.

  • Ability to work in a dynamic fast-paced environment and have strong organizational skills to prioritize project tasks.

  • A self-starter, who takes initiative and demonstrates dedication; a problem-solver who works to see projects through to completion. 

  • Commitment to conservation and the Audubon mission. 

  • The desire to educate diverse audiences, with an emphasis on young people, about the natural world and conservation.

  • Ability to maintain professional, positive, welcoming, and friendly working relationship with public, volunteers, and local/regional community organizations and school groups.

  • This position requires weekend and occasionally evening work as the job demands.

  • A current first aid and CPR certification is valuable but would be willing to participate in certification training within 90 days of start date.

  • Excellent computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite and experience working with digital photos and social media.

  • Must accompany/lead/supervise groups and individuals on field trips on varied terrain with or without accommodation on site.

  • Willing and able assist with loading/unloading/hauling equipment over moderate distances with or without accommodation.

  • Must possess a valid driver’s license and ability to provide reliable transportation to locations in the Philadelphia region.


  • EEO Statement

    The National Audubon Society is a federal contractor and an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. We are committed to a policy of nondiscrimination, inclusion and equal opportunity and actively seek a diverse pool of candidates in this search.


    Accessibility Statement

    The National Audubon Society endeavors to keep our careers site accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact Accommodations@audubon.org. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.



    The National Audubon Society protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow, throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education, and on-the-ground conservation.

    Audubon’s state programs, nature centers, chapters, and partners have an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire, and unite diverse communities in conservation action.

    Since 1905, Audubon’s vision has been a world in which people and wildlife thrive. Audubon is a nonprofit conservation organization.





    PI240253420

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