HOURS: Full-time. Monday-Friday with some evenings, weekends, and occasional holidays required.

ABOUT US: Sugar Grove Nature Center is located in beautiful, historic Funks Grove, just south of Bloomington-Normal, IL. We provide opportunities for learning and exploring to over 40,000 visitors annually. Programs, field trips, special events, and a host of other activities along with over 8 miles of trails, a nature play area, and various other site features make Sugar Grove a treasured and respected Nature Center in the State of Illinois. Interested candidates are encouraged to visit our website, www.sugargrovenaturecenter.org, for more information.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Program planning, development, and implementation. Programs include, but are not limited to, field trips, scout and youth groups, preschools, birthday parties, daycares, summer camps, homeschool audiences, and public programs & events for all ages.
• Responsible for field trip and program registration, scheduling, confirmations, and record keeping.
• Assist with daily operations including, but not limited to, clerical and correspondence duties, bird feeder station maintenance, Nature Center appearance & cleaning, animal care (live display animals), and grounds/stewardship work as needed.
• Visitor experience duties include interaction with the public, ensuring a positive guest experience, care of the Nature Center, and hosting the Nature Center on some weekends.
• Prepare press releases and marketing materials for educational programs and events.
• Market programs and events via social media and online sources.
• Assist with planning & coordinating of special events.
• Assist in training and coordination of interns and volunteers.
• Develop interpretive materials including displays/exhibits, brochures, teaching materials, and newsletter articles.
• Flexibility and willingness to perform all duties as directed including weekend and evening work; ability to handle changes in daily work schedule due to weather, programs, or staffing needs.
• Arrive to work with work-appropriate appearance for public interaction every day.

*This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive, and the employee will also perform other reasonable related duties as assigned by the Nature Center Director. This position is subject to change as the future needs of the Nature Center require.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in environmental studies, environmental education, biology, natural history, or related field.
• Extensive knowledge of Illinois Grand Prairie Region flora and fauna.
• Minimum of two years relevant experience preferred in planning, development, and implementation of interpretive/educational programming.
• Must possess a strong interest and enthusiasm about nature and the environment and a desire to share it with children and the public.
• Must have good communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Must be a team player with creativity, imagination, and energy.
• Ability to stand and walk for long periods of time in extreme weather conditions.
• Willingness to help with a variety of tasks and projects.
• Ability to manage time and meet deadlines for projects.
• Ability to work well on a team as well as be self directed at times.
• Have (or willing to work towards) current First Aid and CPR certification.
• Able to pass a criminal background check.