Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES), a nationally recognized leader in environmental education for people of all ages, seeks an Environmental Educator to teach classroom- and field-based programs. This position will be teaching primarily at Kathryn Senor Elementary in the Garfield Re-2 School District. Field programs will occur throughout the Roaring Fork Valley and western Garfield County.

Since 1968, ACES has inspired a lifelong commitment to the Earth by providing innovative and immersive programming for all ages. We have three locations in the Roaring Fork Valley: Hallam Lake, Rock Bottom Ranch and Catto Center at Toklat. Our programs reach more than 140,000 individuals every year, and focus on ecological literacy, regenerative agriculture, forest and ecosystem health, land restoration and environmental leadership.  

ACES teaches in schools from Aspen to Rifle, and provides youth camps, field trips, adult classes and guided hikes. ACES works diligently to directly affect environmental and climate change education, awareness and action. We also engage our community by hosting public lectures and events. ACES collaborates with land trusts, public agencies and other nonprofits to achieve our mission.

Please visit the ACES website for more information on our education programs.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

1.  Teach ACES Education classes at partner schools.  

• Teach environmental education lessons to students in grades K-5 at Kathryn Senor Elementary School in New Castle, CO.
• Manage students in a classroom environment.
• Develop and revise units and lesson plans for grades K-5 that are aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards and 2020 Colorado Academic Standards in Science.
• Create, prepare and obtain classroom materials and resources.
• Coordinate and communicate with classroom teachers, school principals and administrative staff.
• Participate in school faculty meetings, professional development, and parent/teacher conferences.
• Plan, coordinate and teach occasional evening programs for school families.
• Maintain an understanding of best practices in education and classroom management.
• Teach classes at ACES’ other partner schools (Aspen Elementary, Basalt Elementary and Crystal River Elementary), as needed.

2.  Teach ACES field science programs.

• Teach non-residential environmental science field programs at various sites throughout the Roaring Fork Valley and western Garfield County. 
• Lead and safely manage students (K-12) in a wide range of environments and seasons (e.g. programs at 11,200 feet in elevation in winter conditions).
• Maintain an understanding of best practices in environmental and outdoor education, and knowledge of local ecology.
• Lead other ACES programs as needed, including some overnight, evening and weekend programs, as well as pre-K, adult and family programs.

3.  Teach ACES community programs.

• Teach children’s day and weeklong camps during winter, spring, and summer breaks. Weeklong summer camps are based at ACES’ sites at Hallam Lake and Rock Bottom Ranch, and may include hikes off site and overnight camping.
• Develop, revise and document curriculum for associated programs.
• Organize, create and prepare educational resources and materials for ACES youth programs.
• Lead and support other community programs as needed, including adult and family programs and events.

Secondary Responsibilities

• Assist and become involved with visitor center maintenance including resident animal management, ranch animal husbandry, interpretive exhibits and other ACES projects.
• Perform on-site visitor center hosting responsibilities. This includes greeting and engaging guests, answering telephone calls, informal visitor education, selling merchandise and fielding questions.
• Maintain site organization and cleanliness. 
• Other duties as assigned to further the mission of ACES. 

Reporting Relationships

This position reports to the ACES Education Director. ACES Education program managers and the Community Programs Senior Manager also provide management and support. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in natural sciences, environmental education, agriculture education
• Minimum of two years’ teaching experience in a classroom or outdoor setting, elementary grade level preferred
• Experience with lesson plan creation and development of educational teaching materials 
• Knowledge of, and familiarity with, the Next Generation Science Standards
• Ability to work independently as well as within a team-oriented environment
• Strong organizational skills
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
• Current CPR and First Aid certifications, WFR or WFA preferred
• Fluency in Spanish is desired, but not required
• Teaching certificate is beneficial, but not required

Employment Dates

January 25, 2021 (or earlier) - August 13, 2021. This position is subject to annual renewal.

Location

When not teaching at school, this position will be based at Rock Bottom Ranch,  ACES’ 113-acre ranch located in Basalt, Colorado. Travel to schools and field sites throughout the Roaring Fork Valley and western Garfield County is required.