Environmental Education Fellowship

 

About Riverbend

Riverbend is a leader in environmental education for children in the Philadelphia area. We connect children to nature and empower them to take action for the earth. Our nature preserve is home to walking trails, ponds, woodlands, streams, meadows and an aquaponics greenhouse. Students visit on field trips, and we travel to bring schools Riverbend’s award-winning education programs.

 

About the Position

You teach Riverbend’s nature education programs to thousands of children grades K-8 in local schools, at partner locations, on our preserve, and at our on-site summer camp. Additionally, you learn the ropes of running a nonprofit nature center by supporting the following departments at various times: marketing, special events, fundraising, facilities, and habitat management. You gain experience working with live animals and maintaining a living aquaponics system to support educational lessons. The position runs August 15, 2024 to June 13, 2025 with the option to extend to August 29, 2025 by assuming summer camp responsibilities. Pay is $720/week.

 

Who You Are

You are a people person with prior experience teaching children in a classroom or camp setting. You are looking for a professional growth opportunity and want to help children connect to nature. You are a lifelong learner, and Riverbend provides extensive training so you enter each class prepared to deliver hands-on, fun indoor and outdoor experiences. You may have an interest in learning proper planting techniques, how to strategize ecological restoration work in a suburban setting, and the basic approaches to land management. You are an organized, detail-oriented person and a good communicator. The Environmental Education Fellowship will take you to the next level of your career as a teacher or environmentalist.

 

Responsibilities

• Teach environmental education programs indoors and outdoors to students in various locations, including on-site field trips and off-site classroom visits in local schools

• Plan and prepare for education programs by creating, gathering, and organizing education materials, as needed

• Complete daily animal care tasks to care for Riverbend’s collection of animal ambassadors including snakes, geckos, frogs, turtles, hissing cockroaches, stick bugs, and guinea pigs 

• Support the care and maintenance of the aquaponics system in our greenhouse

• Staff community events on occasional weekends, with no more than one weekend requested per month

• Contribute to the Center’s daily operations in every department, as needed

• Contribute to special projects around the preserve, as needed

 

Required Experience

• Interest and education/training in Environmental Education, Biology, Ecology or other related field

• Experience working with people from various age groups, backgrounds, and cultures

• Experience in teaching education programs formally or informally is encouraged

• Applicants should be self-starters, able to work independently in a fast paced work environment

• Passionate about Riverbend’s mission

• Experience with Google Docs, Google Sheets, and Google Calendar is a plus

• Applicants must be 18 or over and we require a college degree or equivalent experience

 

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary of $720 per week

• 40 hours per week; 36 hours a week, with half-day Fridays in the winter months

• Position runs from August 15, 2024 to June 13, 2025

• 8 days paid time off over 10 months for vacation or sick time

• Beyond the 8 days, additional unpaid time off for covid illness

• Additionally, 6 paid holidays off

• The opportunity to advance your professional work skills

• Short and long-term disability insurance 

 

Why you should work for us

• We hold our meetings outdoors in spring, summer and fall

• We have deep respect for our partners: students, teachers, students, and parents

• We are clear-eyed about the challenge of climate change, but the work we do improves children’s lives and gives us hope for the future

• We believe work-life balance is important: working hours are 8 per day, and typically end by 5pm

• Our Board and Staff are fiercely committed to equity and to achieving our DEI Plan goals

• Link to Riverbend’s DEI Plan: https://riverbendeec.org/uploads/attachments/clct9cc0u22jpqd8yxlsl7tl7-riverbend-dei-plan-2022-2024.pdf

• We work as a collaborative team where all ideas are welcome

• On your work breaks, enjoy a hike through the woods!

Working conditions

• Work will be split between our office, offsite classrooms, and outdoors.

• Able to remain on feet for long periods of time, in all weather conditions. 

• Will regularly need to walk trails with lots of hills and uneven ground. 

• Will regularly work with live animals, including insects, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and fish.

• Ability to safely lift and carry 40 lbs for a distance of 25 ft.

• Successful completion of a post-offer background check, including criminal and driving records and ability to obtain PA Child Abuse History Clearance and FBI Fingerprinting. 

• Must be available to work occasional weekends and holidays as needed for programming.

• Must have own vehicle for travel to Riverbend EEC and offsite program locations. Mileage will be reimbursed.

This is a hands-on, creative, and fun-loving place to work. We care about children’s future on the earth. So if you're ready to educate the next generation, tackle varied challenges and apply your experience, passion, and teamwork skills, please apply!

 

To Apply:

Applications must include a cover letter and resume. Those who advance to a final interview will be required to provide 3 professional references, 2 letters of recommendation, and a short essay outlining your 5-year plan and how this program will play a role in achieving your goals.  Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Applications should be sent to Julia Boyer at jboyer@riverbendeec.org. 

Applications must be received by April 26th. Job offers will be made in late May. The position begins August 15th and ends June 13th, with the possibility to be considered for further employment at that time.

Equal Opportunity Employment:

Riverbend is committed to creating and maintaining an environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. Riverbend is an equal opportunity.