Job Description

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

Position Title: Education Coordinator

Reports To: Director of Education

Job Category: Full-time, Exempt

Supervises: Host volunteers and contract educators

Salary: $46,000 annually; full benefits

Work Schedule: Tuesday - Saturday

Job Description: The Education Coordinator will have a passion for the environment and experiential education. This individual will be an integral part of the Education Department. The ideal candidate will be knowledgeable about desert ecology, teaching, and love working with people. The Education Coordinator will take lead on Youth Program and Family Program Delivery, scheduling of Adult Workshops and Speakers, as well as support with Events and Educator Professional Development as needed.

About Us: In 1924, the Boyce Thompson Arboretum (BTA) was founded by mining magnate William Boyce Thompson. The desert landscape inspired Boyce Thompson to create the arboretum with the mission of educating people about desert plants and their uses in an arid environment.

This mission continues today, and the Boyce Thompson Arboretum has grown in mission and size over its 100-year history. As an independent non-profit organization, the arboretum is in Superior, Arizona in the beautiful and stunning landscape of Picket post mountain and adjacent to the Tonto National Forest. The arboretum is located within 30 minutes of Mesa, AZ and 1 hour from downtown Phoenix. At 372 acres, BTA is the largest and oldest botanical garden in the state of Arizona. BTA holds a collection of 4,030 taxa and 30,000 plants. The arboretum grounds provide a collection of plants from all over the world’s varied desert and dry lands, displaying them alongside native Sonoran Desert vegetation. Wildlife is abundant, and visitors enjoy well maintained hiking trails throughout the grounds. It is not uncommon to see javelina, bobcat and a variety of native and migratory birds while working, hiking, and enjoying the grounds. BTA is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop, design, implement and maintain inquiry-based, student-centered curricula and programs for elementary, middle, and high school students based on Arizona Science Standards and Next Generation Science Standards.
• Coordinate and schedule school field trips and homeschool group tours.
• Maintain and administer an effective means of evaluation for school and family programming alongside supervisor ex) Teacher surveys.
• Plan, schedule, and implement educational elements for events as needed such as Homeschool Days, Bird Week and Arbor Day.
• Coordinate BTA Family programs such as Nature Play.
• Coordinate with the Education Director for creation and deployment of needed materials for educational programs (i.e. learning guides, signage).
• Work with Volunteer and Visitor Engagement Coordinator to create monthly schedule for Education Host Volunteers and attend weekly meetings.
• Work with Volunteer and Visitor Engagement Coordinator to train and supervise volunteers to assist in the delivery of education programs.
• Work with Volunteer and Visitor Engagement Coordinator to manage the education department host volunteers including training and evaluations.
• Work with the Education Director to support the implementation of teacher professional development workshops including material and content development as well as program delivery.
• Assist with the planning and scheduling of Adult Education Classes.
• Assist with Education Department and Events Department programs as requested.
• Participate in filming educational content for social media, including developing content and appearing in reels and other videos.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education, Ecology, Environmental studies, or related field.
• Minimum three to five years of experience designing and implementing educational programs, preferably in a public garden, informal science education setting or formal classroom setting.
• Familiarity with the Arizona Science Standards and Next Generation Science Standards and lesson plan development.
• Familiarity with science instruction best practices and pedagogical strategies: Inquiry based learning, 5E Model of Instruction.
• Retired high school science educators and elementary educators are encouraged to apply.
• Arizona Department of Education Teacher Certification K-12 preferred.
• Certification through the National Association for Interpretation preferred.
• Exceptional leadership, management, and team-building skills.
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work as a team player, and a genuine liking for nature-based education.
• Demonstrated organization, project planning, and diplomatic problem-solving skills required.
• Scheduling flexibility that allows for working weekends, evenings, and holidays is required.
• Demonstrates the highest level of professional and ethical conduct.
• Ability to engage learners of all ages in hands-on, inquiry-based learning.
• Effective classroom management skills.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to drive a vehicle without supervision in rural Arizona for at least 1 hour duration, both day and night driving conditions.
• Ability to lift 20 lbs. and traverse on uneven terrain and hiking conditions.
• Must be able to stand, walk on uneven terrain, sit, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop or kneel, talk, and hear, and use fingers and hands to feel objects, tools or controls.
• Fully functional vision is required (prescription lenses are acceptable).
• Ability to use computers, telephones and walkie talkie radios.
• Must be able to work weekends and evenings as needed.

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