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 a greenhouse. Students visit on field trips, and we travel to bring Riverbend's award-winning education programs to schools and community locations. 

About the Position

Riverbend will be hiring two Environmental Education Fellows for the 2025-26 school year. You teach Riverbend’s nature education programs to thousands of children grades K-12 in local schools, at partner locations, on our preserve, and in our on-site summer and year round camp. Additionally, you learn the ropes of running a nonprofit nature center by assisting the following departments at various times: marketing, special events, fundraising, facilities, and habitat management. You gain experience working with live animals to support educational lessons. The fellows report to the Director of Education and the positions run from August 18, 2025 to June 12, 2026 with the option to extend to August 29, 2026 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, camp, or informal education setting, or you are someone with experience in environmental studies looking to gain experience in environmental education. 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 are an organized, detail-oriented person with strong administrative abilities and are 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 plants 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 August 18, 2025 to June 12, 2026

• 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

• 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, resume and 3 professional references. The cover letter should detail how this fellowship fits into your five year plan and how it will help you achieve your goals. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Those who advance to the final interview phase will be asked to provide two letters of recommendation. 

Applications should be sent to Jill Shashaty at jshashaty@riverbendeec.org. 

Applications must be received by April 25th. Job offers will be made in late May. The position begins August 18th and ends June 12th, 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 employer.