ACES Educator

Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES), a nationally recognized leader in environmental education for people of all ages, seeks Environmental Educators for two of its sites, Rock Bottom Ranch and Hallam Lake. An interested applicant may apply for one, or both positions. Please visit the ACES school program page for more information on our education programs.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities: (80% time allocation)
1. Teach in our ACES Environmental Science Classrooms 
2. Teach ACES Field Programs
3. Teach ACES Naturalist Field School courses during winter, spring, and summer seasons
4. Create and improve curriculum for ACES Education programs

1. Teach in the ACES School Classroom:
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Teach solo and in a team-teaching format at the ACES classrooms located at Aspen Elementary, Basalt Elementary and/or Crystal River Elementary schools. 
• Manage students in a diverse range of K-4th
• Maintain ACES school classroom (cleaning, organizing materials, etc.)
• Substitute and/or support teaching at Aspen, Basalt and/or Crystal River ACES Classrooms as needed.

2. Teach ACES Field Programs:

• Teach non-residential environmental science field programs. This may include Hallam Lake, Rock Bottom Ranch, Toklat and/or Aspen Mountain sites.
• Travel to various field program sites
• Lead and safely manage students (K-12) in a wide range of environments and seasons (i.e. programs at 11,200 feet in elevation in winter conditions
• Lead other ACES programs as needed, including evening and weekend programs, as well as adult and family programs

3. Teach ACES Naturalist Field School (NFS) courses:

• Teach full-day and weekly children’s courses during winter, spring, and summer school-break times. Courses are based at Hallam Lake, Rock Bottom Ranch, and various other off-site locations
• Develop curriculum and educational materials for associated courses
• Lead and support other NFS courses as needed, including adult and family programs

4. Create, update and improve curriculum:
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following

• Update, improve, and document education curriculum for Environmental Science Classroom and Field Programs.
• Organize and create educational resources and materials for ACES programs. 

Secondary Responsibilities: (20% time allocation)
Rock Bottom Ranch Educators:
1. Assist and become involved with ranch animal husbandry, ranch maintenance, interpretive exhibits, and other ACES projects
2. Perform on-site visitor center hosting responsibilities. This includes leading educational agriculture/ranch tours, greeting and engaging guests, answering telephone calls, informal visitor education, and fielding questions.
3. Maintain site organization and cleanliness. This may include sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, window cleaning and restroom cleaning.
4. Other duties as assigned to further the mission of ACES. 

Hallam Lake Educators:
1. Assist and become involved in visitor center maintenance including resident animal management, interpretive exhibits, and other ACES projects.
2. Perform on-site visitor center hosting responsibilities. This includes greeting and engaging guests, answering telephone calls, informal visitor education, and fielding questions.
3. Maintain site organization and cleanliness. This may include sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, window cleaning and restroom cleaning.
4. Other duties as assigned to further the mission of ACES. 

Reporting Relationships
The Hallam Lake educator position reports to the ACES Education Director. The Rock Bottom Ranch educator position reports to the Rock Bottom Ranch Director. Coordination with other senior staff may be required.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in natural sciences, environmental education, agriculture education or related fields
• Minimum of two years’ teaching experience in a classroom or outdoor setting, elementary grade level preferred
• Experience with curriculum writing and development of educational teaching materials 
• Ability to work independently as well as within a team-oriented environment
• Creativity and organizational skills essential
• Spanish language proficiency preferred
• Classroom teaching license or credential preferred

Employment Dates

• Immediate openings, as well as traditional start date of June 7, 2017- June 8, 2018. Limited positions also available August 14, 2017-August 10, 2018 

Location:

Rock Bottom Ranch staff is based at ACES’ 113-acre ranch located in Basalt, Colorado. RBR Educators primarily focus their classroom time at the Basalt Elementary School and Crystal River Elementary School. 

Hallam Lake staff is based at ACES’ 25-acre nature preserve located in Aspen, Colorado. Hallam Lake Educators primarily focus their classroom time at the Aspen Elementary School. Hallam Lake educator position requires mandatory housing at the Hallam Lake preserve.

Compensation:

• On-going professional development opportunities including     - Environmental Educator certification through the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education
• IRA and generous health and dental insurance package
• Paid time off, accrued throughout work year
• This is a salaried position, pay commensurate with experience