Reporting to the Environmental Education Supervisor, the Environmental Educator & Early Childhood Specialist position is a full-time, non-exempt position working Monday-Thursday 8 am-6pm (36 hours) from September-mid June and Monday-Friday 9am-5pm from mid-June-August, although some early/evening hours and weekend days per month (outside of regularly scheduled special events) will be required. This position will be responsible for teaching nature and farm-based school and after school programs for preschool-aged children, both on-site at the SM&NC and in schools.  In addition, this position will head our newly-revamped parent/child art and nature classes, Wonder Art, for ages 18 months-2.5 years. Working with the Director of Education and the Outdoor Curriculum Specialist, this position will create and enact seasonal curricula for Wonder Art, including stories, songs, sensory experiences, age-appropriate art projects, and live animal visits.  The Environmental Educator & Early Childhood Specialist will also teach school and after school programs for early elementary students when Wonder Art is not in session or may serve as a substitute for our preschool as needed. 

Specifically, the Environmental Educator & Early Childhood Specialist (Full-Time) will

Create and teach seasonal age-appropriate curriculum for Wonder Art, the SM&NC’s parent/child program for ages 18 months-24 years, including songs, stories, live animal visits, outside activities and sensory activities
Teach school and after school programs for preschool-aged students on the SM&NC site and in schools
Teach educational programs for early elementary-aged students on a variety of natural history, astronomy, and farm-based topics, both onsite and as a part of SMNC in the Schools, including live animal programs.  
Teach scout and public programs, including but not limited to Vacation Break Out Days, Vacation Drop Off Days, Take a Hike Week, and Outdoor Adventurers programs.   
Serve as a substitute teacher in our Art, Nature & Me preschool as needed
Staff and support SM&NC special event weekends, such as Harvest Festival
Work with Environmental Education department to develop and strengthen school, after school, scout and public programs that make use of SM&NC resources, including the farm, organic garden, forest and wetland habitats, and collections, and that tie to curriculum standards and goals
Help to ensure that programs promote responsible environmental education and support SM&NC mission
Aid in care and feeding of reptile, mammal, amphibian, and invertebrate teaching animals
Provide interpretation and animal care in our Heckscher WILD! live animal exhibit;
Additional duties as assigned

Qualifications & Essential Skills:

Minimum of two years relevant, professional related experience.
Minimum B.S. in biology, environmental science, early childhood education or related field.
Must have extreme comfortability with young children and creating and implementing early childhood curriculum, including singing, taking young children outside, and process-based art
Must possess a maturity to have professional, respectful demeanor with Board, major donors, and other key business contacts acting with discretion and a keen understanding of confidentiality.
The position requires excellent communications skills, oral and written, as well as the ability to multitask and think creatively on program development and implementation.
Able to lift 50 lbs., bend, stretch, stand for extended periods of time, climb stairs, twist, sit, walk, and/or run.

Experience handling, caring for, and teaching with a variety of animals including reptiles, birds, and mammals or willingness to learn
Excellent interactions with the public and use of exhibits and components as a teaching tool
Excellent Internet & research skills. Must be well-organized with ability to perform your own administrative work