The Urban Conservation Educator will support the work of the Youth Conservation Action (YCA) team in the Field Museum’s Keller Science Action Center. The Field Museum’s KSAC leverages museum collections and expertise to translate science into lasting results for conservation and cultural understanding in the Chicago region and around the world. Integral to this effort is the ability to foster positive connections to nature, train the next generation of conservation leaders, and build the capacity of the Field Museum and its partners to best support future leaders. The Youth Conservation Action’s Urban Conservation Educator will support and lead environmental education and community engagement efforts that build the capacity of local educators to connect young people to nature. The Urban Conservation Educator will work with Keller Center staff on creative, collaborative and innovative community-based conservation projects.

• Coordinate YCA’s capacity building workshops for educators from diverse institutions, KSAC staff, and partners including the design, logistics, and implementation of professional development opportunities for YCA participants and supporters. Ensure that YCA professional development opportunities draw on a wide array of Field Museum resources and work as a pathway for participants to use multiple museum resources.
• Lead, design, and provide instructional support for YCA participating educators. Provide leadership on YCA community partnerships and program adaptations including program documentation, organization, evaluation and communications.
• Stay current on research and best practices in place-based environmental education, science education, and national and local initiatives and standards to ensure that all YCA programs continue to be relevant, useful, and effective. Participate in local and regional conservation and environmental education networks.
• Support summer young adult programs hosted at The Field Museum including program design and implementation.
• Coordinate with Keller Center program staff and interns and foster collaboration and dialog throughout the museum, including strong connections to the museum’s Learning Center.
• Provide general administrative and event support of YCA and Field Museum program tasks as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor degree or equivalent experience in education, environmental science, or a related field.
• Three to five years experience teaching in formal or informal settings. Experience working with educators and youth from diverse backgrounds and communities preferred.
• Experience with facilitation of professional development opportunities for formal and non-formal educators.
• Ability to develop engaging, age-appropriate curriculum and programs. General familiarity with current thinking on the benefits of nature to the intellectual, emotional, and physical development of children and young adults.
• Strong attention to detail and need for organizational skills.
• Must have computer proficiency and strong interpersonal skills.
• Driver’s license, access to a car/own transportation, and willingness to travel within the Chicagoland area frequently.
• Understanding of environmental issues, ecology, and/or urban conservation issues (preferred).
• Proficiency in conversational Spanish (preferred).