The following job description contains additional information on how to apply for the Preserve Naturalist and Educator position.

Summary of Position:

The Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission (APBPC) Preserve Naturalist and Educator is a member of the APBPC Education Department and works as a member of a dynamic team to implement a comprehensive education program for the Albany Pine Bush Preserve compatible with the natural resources, research and management goals of the preserve and in alignment with the APBPC Management Plan and Community Connection Initiative. The Preserve Naturalist and Educator brings a background in nature study, education and interpretation that can be applied to the work of the APBPC Education Department including both in-person and virtual interpretive and educational programming, publications and opportunities for community engagement. The Preserve Naturalist and Educator manages the Volunteer Naturalist Program and is supervised by the Education Program Director.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Work as a member of a team to increase public awareness and understanding of the Albany Pine Bush including its natural history, ecology and cultural history and facilitate connections to the Pine Bush Preserve.
• Develop and lead in-person and virtual Pine Bush-centered, standards-based, interactive and hands-on education programs for a diversity of school and home school groups from grades pre-K – university level.
• Collaborate with APBPC staff in creating and leading in-person and virtual Pine Bush–centered interpretive programs for the public, including programs geared towards families and special interest groups.
• Create and assemble materials to accompany new education and interpretive programs.
• Support guest public education program leaders by attending programs and providing assistance with needs that arise.
• Contribute to the creation and publication of Pine Bush-specific interpretive materials including brochures, fact sheets, short videos and social media posts.
• Provide technical support for virtual programs and webinars on Zoom and Google Classroom.
• Provide Discovery Center visitor assistance and provide for a safe and pleasant visitor experience.
• Work collaboratively with the Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator to oversee and manage the APBPC Volunteer Naturalist Program.
• Serve as a member of the animal care team, providing care for the Discovery Center captive turtles.
• Share responsibility for program set-up and clean-up including Discovery Center classrooms.
• Share coverage of weekend and evening programs.
• Ability to prioritize tasks in the absence of direct supervision.
• Communicate with supervisor to resolve any unforeseen problems or questions.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Preferred Qualifications:

· Bachelor’s degree preferred with a major in environmental education, environmental science, cultural or natural history interpretation, biology, elementary/secondary education or other related field and a minimum of two years work experience in a nature center, teaching or other work experience related to public education.

· Experience delivering education programs to a diversity of audiences.

· Strong interest in nature and environmental conservation.

· Willingness to learn new information and ability to communicate that information in a way that is engaging to visitors both in-person and virtually.

· Excellent written and oral communication skills, including public-speaking skills.

· Experience working with Microsoft Office’s suite of software applications.

· Able to use technology in interpretation and environmental education programming.

· Comfortable using an iPad and related products.

· Experience creating and editing short videos.

· Ability to complete tasks independently with respect to timeline(s).

· Willingness to travel locally in personal vehicle with mileage reimbursement, work flexible hours, including weekends and some evenings.

· Current certification in basic first aid and CPR preferred or willingness to become certified.

· Work requires minor physical exertion and infrequent exposure to disagreeable elements.

APBPC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

APBPC does not discriminate in its employment opportunities or practices on the basis of an individual’s actual or perceived race, color, sex, national origin, ethnicity, hairstyle and hair texture, military or veteran status, mental or physical disability, marital status, sexual orientation, sexual and reproductive health decisions, gender identity, transgender status, genetic information/predisposition or carrier status, age, religion, creed, domestic violence victim status, and any other classification protected by federal, state or local law.

To apply, please send a cover letter, resume and three references to:

Erin Kinal

ekinal@albanypinebush.org

or

195 New Karner Rd, Suite 1

Albany, NY 12205

The closing date for this position is 4pm on August 30, 2022.

For more information about the Albany Pine Bush Preserve, please visit www.AlbanyPineBush.org