Opportunities
Located in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania Riverbend fosters an awareness, appreciation and understanding of our total environment through educational programming. By growing both a love of nature and environmental literacy, we prepare informed, resilient leaders to meet the challenges of tomorrow.
Director of Development
Full-time position
Reports to: Executive Director
Position Summary:Â
Riverbend is seeking an exceptional development professional to play a critical leadership role within a dynamic and growing organization. The ideal candidate will have broad development experience, exceptional project and time management skills, and be a creative and strategic thinker. Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the Director of Development will be responsible for leading, planning and implementing Riverbend’s fundraising initiatives.Â
Key Responsibilities
Leading and collaborating with:
- The Executive Director and the Board of Directors on initiatives to broaden the donor base and steward existing corporate, foundation, and individual donors
- The Executive Director and Director of Education & Strategic Initiatives relative to corporate, foundation, and individual gifts for Access Programs
- The Communications & Marketing Manager relative to donor relations communications and marketing strategies
Participate as a lead staff representative on the Board of Directors Development and Marketing Committee and sub-committees for special events
Prepare and direct the implementation of the annual fundraising plan for annual fund, membership, and special events
Manage and direct the implementation of Foundation proposals for Access Programs and special projects
Manage and implement a systematic approach to the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of major gift prospects. Continuously enlarge the number of major individual and corporate prospects being cultivated
Serve as development staff to the Executive Director and Board of Directors and coordinate and support their work
Prepare all necessary correspondence and fundraising proposals
Track critical data and prepare fundraising reports
Create and share donor information from Raiser’s Edge as needed; including pulling mailing lists, donor tracking and giving histories
Oversee all donor solicitation materials
Participate with staff and Board members in the cultivation and solicitation of donors
Organize recognition activities for donors
QUALIFICATIONS
A minimum of five years of experience in fundraising including a successful track record in major gifts fundraising and direct interaction with major prospects with a broad knowledge of a sophisticated development program
Bachelor's degree required
Highly organized and motivated individual
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
Exceptional interpersonal skills
Exceptional analytical and creative problem-solving skills
Ability to work independently and as part of a team with colleagues and volunteers at all levels in a fast-paced environment
Skilled manager of staff, vendors, and volunteers
Ability to maintain all information with appropriate confidentiality
High proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
High proficiency in Raiser’s Edge or experience in managing a similar donor database environment
Interest in and commitment to Riverbend’s mission
To Apply:
Please send a formal letter of interest, resume, three work related references and salary requirements attached as either PDF or Word documents to lbachman@riverbendeec.org with “Director of Development” in the subject line.  Please, no phone calls or mailed applications. Â
Compensation:
Salary for this position is competitive and commensurate with experience. Riverbend offers a generous benefits package including health, dental, and vision, as well as life, disability and pre-tax retirement plans.
Anti-Discrimination Policy:
Riverbend does not discriminate based on ethnicity, race, gender or sexual orientation and encourages all qualified individuals to apply.
Education Programs Coordinator
Full time, salary
Reports to: Manager of Education Programs
Riverbend Environmental Education Center offers high quality environmental education programs to children in the Philadelphia region. Join this progressive team of educators, dedicated to ensuring that all children have access to nature. This position is critical in implementing a new strategic plan and delivering high quality programming to advance Riverbend.
Responsible for implementing the day to day operations of Riverbend camps, birthday parties, and school programs to meet the mission, vision and strategic goals of Riverbend Environmental Education Center. The Coordinator will oversee the day-to-day implementation of camps and birthday parties as well as coordinate and teach school programs throughout the year.
Riverbend offers a competitive salary and benefits including health, vision and dental insurance, short and long-term disability, and paid time off.
Key Responsibilities
Leads implementation of Summer Camp and Year-Round Camp programs, including mentoring staff, communication with parents and risk management.
Collaborate with Manager of Education Programs to hire, train and supervise environmental educators for camp programs. Â Supervise seasonal camp staff.Â
Maintain Active (CRM) database for online registration of camps and birthday parties.
Lead implementation of Year-Round Camp and Birthday Parties, including registration, scheduling and content development.
Communicate effectively and cultivate relationships with parents and other program customers.
Coordinate logistics and supervise adventure camp.
Order supplies and manage program expenses for camps and birthday parties.
Develop and teach onsite and offsite education programs that align with Riverbend’s mission and strategic goals.
Lead teams of part time staff in implementing series programs.
Oversee animal husbandry and habitat maintenance for Riverbend’s collection of Animal Ambassadors, which include reptiles, amphibians, insects, and mammals.
Other duties as needed to ensure the success and sustainability of Riverbend Environmental Education Center.
Qualifications and Skills
B.S. in Environmental Education, Biology, Ecology or other related field
Minimum 1 year of experience in teaching, professional educational program development and management.
Minimum 2 years of professional camp experience in a leadership position.
Demonstrated experience teaching using informal education strategies like inquiry-based, place-based, project-based and experiential learning.Â
Experience working with audiences from various age groups, backgrounds and cultures. Experience working with young children strongly desired.
Exceptional communication skills and relationship building skills.Â
Flexible, creative and innovative thinker.
Able to maintain focus under pressure and make adjustments to accommodate program and client needs.
Familiarity with Microsoft Excel, Google platforms and other educational technology.
Solutions-oriented problem solver. Â Strong decision-making skills and ability to work independently.
Passionate about Riverbend’s mission.
Working Conditions and Physical RequirementsÂ
Work will be split between an office environment in a renovated barn, offsite classrooms and outdoors in natural areas on Riverbend’s property and other nature preserves.  Â
Manage and teach programs outdoors in all weather conditions.
Regularly will need to walk trails with lots of hills and uneven ground.
Regularly will need to work with live animals including insects, reptiles, amphibians, mammals and fish.
No allergies to plants or animals that may interfere with the ability to perform the job.
Ability to safely lift and carry 50 lbs. for a distance of 25 ft.
No impairment of sight, smell, hearing, touch, balance, and agility of movement (which cannot be corrected with appropriate device) which may interfere with the ability to perform work.
Ability to operate a motor vehicle with either a standard or automatic transmission.
Additional Requirements
Successful completion of a post-offer background check, including criminal, driving records and ability to obtain PA Child Abuse History Clearance and FBI Fingerprinting.
The hours for this position are generally Monday-Friday but will include occasional weekends and holidays as needed for programming.
EMAIL cover letter and resume to Rosemary Arnold, Manager of education programs No phone calls please.
Â
Paid Part-Time Summer Internship in Habitat Management
Riverbend Environmental Education Center is accepting applications for 2019 Summer Habitat Management Interns to assist with the stewardship of our 30 acre nature preserve. Habitat Management Interns will help maintain our trails, gardens, ponds, and meadow areas, and assist with our ongoing woodland restoration projects and invasive plant removal. This is a hands-on internship with most of the work being outside in nature. Â
Interns will spend one morning a week helping to run the Teen Volunteer Program and one afternoon assisting with camp activities to give an all-round Riverbend experience. Â
The internship will run for 10 weeks between mid-May and mid-August (allowing for time off for family vacations) for 12 hours per week and is offered with a stipend of $7.50 per hour.
Successful applicants can expect to gain practical habitat management experience, as well as volunteer management skills and insight into the running of an environmental non-profit.
Requirements:Â
- College student or recent graduate over the age of 18
- Child Abuse and Criminal Background checks
- Current driver’s license
- Experience with and/or interest in gardening, ecology, botany, environmental studies, conservation, or landscape architecture
- Ability to work independently and in groupsÂ
- An outgoing leader who can comfortably supervise other volunteers, especially teenagersÂ
- Physically strong and able to work outdoors in all kinds of weather and on a hilly terrain
Riverbend is located in the western suburbs of Philadelphia.  We are not accessible by public transportation, so interns would need access to a car. Please fill out and submit this application form along with a resume to latkinson@riverbendeec.org.  Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled. Volunteer manual may be found here.