Senior Teacher Naturalist

About Mass Audubon
Mass Audubon is the largest nature-based conservation organization in New England. Founded in 1896 by two women who fought for the protection of birds, Mass Audubon carries on their legacy by focusing on the greatest challenges facing the environment today: the loss of biodiversity, inequitable access to nature, and climate change. With the help of our 160,000 members and supporters, we protect wildlife, conserve and restore resilient land, advocate for impactful environmental policies, offer nationally recognized education programs for adults and children, and provide endless opportunities to experience the outdoors at our wildlife sanctuaries. Explore, find inspiration, and take action at massaudubon.org.

About This Position
Mass Audubon is looking for a creative, passionate, energetic, and organized naturalist and environmental educator. This Senior Teacher Naturalist position works as part of a dynamic team of staff who support education efforts at our sanctuaries, community venues, and other locations. The Senior Teacher Naturalist spends the majority of their time coordinating, developing and teaching programs for adults, families, and youth in accordance with Mass Audubon’s educational philosophy, goals, standards, and practices. The Senior Teacher Naturalist coordinates, prepares, and markets educational programs and special events. They also serve as a resource on natural history, conservation, environmental justice, and climate change subjects for visitors, members, other staff, and volunteers.

This Senior Teacher Naturalist position designs, leads, coordinates, and evaluates environmental education programs for adults, mixed age, and family audiences throughout Mass Audubon’s West Region. The position is based out of Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in Lenox, MA and a large portion of the programs serve adults audiences in Berkshire County. Venues include wildlife sanctuaries, conservation areas, libraries, community centers, and wellness and cultural destinations. Many programs involve partnerships with other organizations such as Kripalu, The Mount, and Tanglewood. Others take place throughout western Massachusetts, at locations in Franklin, Hampshire, and Hamden counties.

Program themes include natural history, ecology, conservation, climate change, and land stewardship, in accordance with Mass Audubon’s Action Agenda strategic priorities. Formats include public bird walks, hikes, canoe trips, workshops, series program, volunteer events, online and in-person presentations and lectures, outreach programs, and community events. The balance of audiences will be approximately: adult education programs (80%); family/all ages (10%); school field trips/canoe trips (approximately 10%). Most duties occur Tuesday through Saturday, including evenings, and occasional Sundays. Overall, roughly 70% of work hours will be devoted to program preparation and delivery and approximately 30% will be focused on planning, marketing, communications, record keeping, and program forecasting; during summer months the ratios of hours will be skewed toward program delivery.

How to Apply
Please use the Apply link above and be sure submit a resume and cover letter (ideally combined into a signal PDF) with your ADP application.

Responsibilities

Management/Supervision

• Plan, coordinate, promote, and lead adult and all ages education programs at wildlife sanctuaries, community venues, and cultural sites in Mass Audubon’s West Region
• Maintain accurate records of program planning, development, and implementation
• Monitor program registration and track program revenue and expense data, inform supervisor of variances and take steps to change program registration trends, if needed
• Assist with developing and monitoring program budgets and maintaining records of revenue and expenses. Assist with development of regional budgets including revenue forecasts
• Recruit, hire, train, and supervise part-time or seasonal public programs staff and volunteers to ensure high quality program design and delivery

Education

• Actively engage in learning about community needs and opportunities for collaboration
• Orient program partners, participants, and community members to Mass Audubon’s mission and programs
• Develop, implement, and evaluate education programming for adults and audiences of all ages that support ecology and conservation knowledge, skills, and actions
• Design and lead guided hikes, bird walks, canoe trips, series programs, stewardship events, lectures, regional day trips, and overnight travel programs
• Prepare and conduct community engagement events and other related educational activities, with demonstrated skills and ability to work with diverse groups, exercise cultural humility, and implement best practices in inclusion
• Work in collaboration with supervisors, including Regional Education Managers and statewide Education Department to ensure adherence to relevant program standards and regulations and alignment with Mass Audubon audience frameworks and instructional best practices
• Implement program assessment tools according to Mass Audubon guidelines and practices; analyze results for program evaluation and communicate outcomes to supervisors for decision making
• Coordinate and lead trainings for professional audiences, including school teachers, organized groups, Mass Audubon staff, volunteers, and other audiences
• Maintain the safety of all participants and staff as a priority, in accordance with specific program regulations and policies. Assist with program permitting as needed
• Develop audience specific program materials, site-based interpretation and exhibits, informational brochures, and education related publications, including e-communications
• Contribute to regional staff meetings and statewide education staff meetings, audience professional learning communities, and professional development training, as required
• Maintain educational equipment, supplies, and resources
• Transport equipment including canoes and large trailers to locations throughout the region
• Support special events, membership development, fundraising activities, and other position related duties, as needed or assigned

Qualifications
At Mass Audubon, our highest priority is finding the best candidate for the job. Research has shown that people of color and women are less likely to apply for jobs if they don’t believe they meet every one of the qualifications described in a job description. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of our described qualifications or you have a less traditional background. We are looking for applicants with the following qualifications:

Must Haves

• Bachelor's or Master's degree (or working towards) in life, earth, or environmental sciences, environmental education, nature interpretation, K-12 education, or equivalent training
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience leading environmental education programs, or any equivalent combination of education and related experience
• Prior experience in budget development tracking, as well as revenue forecasting and record keeping
• Ability to lead groups outdoors in all weather conditions and monitor and manage group safety
• Ability to exercise cultural competence and best practices in inclusion.
• First Aid and CPR (child and adult) certification (training provided upon hire, if needed)

Nice to Haves

• Knowledge of local natural history, conservation, climate change, and environmental education
• Certification and/or experience with flat water canoe/kayak programs and basic water rescue
• Experience driving trailers and ability to move trailers, canoes, and other heavy equipment
• Familiarity with culturally responsive teaching or other equity-based pedagogy

Compensation, Benefits and Perks
This position’s pay range is $58,000-$62,000 per year; actual salary will reflect level of experience and qualifications relative to position requirements.

Benefits eligible staff at Mass Audubon may elect to enroll in medical, dental, and vision plans. Mass Audubon also offers disability and life insurance plans, a retirement plan through MetLife, and Flexible Spending Account options. Mass Audubon employment also includes access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and the Reciprocity Agreement through the Consortium of Non-Profit Arts/Cultural/Environmental Organizations of New England. Mass Audubon employees also enjoy 13 paid holidays (holidays may shift annually due to where days fall within calendar).

Work Schedule
This is a full-time, 40 hour per week position with most duties occur Tuesday through Saturday, including evenings, and occasional Sundays.

Other Requirements
Employees must successfully complete a CORI and SORI Background Check and a Motor Vehicle Record (if applicable) is required.

Mass Audubon’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Justice
Mass Audubon embraces diversity and equal opportunity in a serious way. We are dedicated to forming a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. People of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

Mass Audubon’s mission is to “protect the nature of Massachusetts for people and for wildlife” by building a strong coalition of employees, volunteers, and community members. We recognize that the environmental movement and field of conservation have been affected by societal systems that have limited opportunity and access for many people. As a result, Mass Audubon is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. We are engaged in an ongoing process of organizational assessment and change, designed to remove barriers and create a workplace where all forms of diversity are recognized and valued.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Mass Audubon is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. Mass Audubon prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.