The Fayette Environmental Education Center, a project of the Southern Conservation Trust, seeks an Environmental Education Coordinator with a passion for place-based environmental education, leadership skills and experience to champion its educational programming, outdoor recreation programs, dedication to advance conservation initiatives, and the ability to strengthen support among diverse stakeholders throughout Fayette and surrounding counties.

Position Details: The Environmental Education Coordinator will report to the Director of Parks & Education and work with SCT’s Director of FEEC, and Volunteer Coordinator on a daily basis, and will work with staff and volunteers to connect children and adults to nature through innovative environmental education, recreation, conservation, and arts initiatives. The Education Coordinator will be responsible for the successful execution of Camp WILD summer day camps, tours of the nature center, school programs, outreach programs, and field trip programs.

This position offers a tremendous career opportunity for an energetic, creative and organized individual to help grow the Fayette Environmental Education Center’s initiatives. The Education Coordinator must have strong verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills, creativity, and sound judgment.

As part of the SCT team, the Environmental Education Coordinator will help host and participate in SCT’s events and community outreach activities. All staff on our team embrace public speaking and networking opportunities as we work to develop and sustain relationships with funders and community partners, and grow our base of supporters in both size and diversity. 

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:

Environmental and Recreational Education: (80%)

● Implement a range of environmental education programs for a diverse participant base. Including but not limited to programs relating to soils, water resources, plants, animals, rocks and minerals, gardening, and composting.

Work with Director of Parks & Education and Director of FEEC to implement Camp WILD summer camps.

● Lead school field trip programs, and other education programs and recreation programs, as needed, to establish familiarity with our community and to grow an understanding of how our programs benefit the community.

● Ensure that education programming reflects the organization’s commitment to excellence with place-based environmental education and follows local and state guidelines. Enhance the local and regional impact and influence of the organization in the educational and conservation community

● Strengthen partnerships with schools, teachers, the educational community, and conservation organizations.

● Maintain FEEC’s membership in selected organizations, including the Environmental Education Alliance of Georgia, Leave No Trace, Wilderness Education Association, American Hiking Society, American Canoe Association, and others as assigned. Work closely with FEEC staff and committee members onsite and remotely for the development, management, and advancement of programming.

●Work with the Development and Event Coordinator to manage the FEEC social media accounts and ensure well written content and timely posts that meet FEEC and SCTs mission.

● Assist in developing environmental education and recreation content for marketing, promotional, and fundraising uses.

● Implement and facilitate outdoor recreation programs. Including but not limited to fishing, hiking, back packing, paddling, archery, tree climbing, camping, knot tying, bike repair, first aid/cpr, wilderness first aid, Leave No Trace.

● Work with Volunteer Coordinator to ensure skilled volunteers are utilized during educational and recreational programming as needed.

● At the direction of the Director of Parks & Education, and the Director of FEEC, develop, implement, and maintain ongoing program quality and satisfaction assessments.

● Facilitates virtual and in-person programs for FEEC and SCT Parks.

● Assist in the maintenance, inventory, and date entry of all environmental education and recreation supplies, equipment, facilities needs.

● Generate interest in the environment and natural world by highlighting historical, ecological or scientific features of outdoor surroundings by organizing nature walks and other educational opportunities and hikes at FEEC and SCT’s Parks.

● Work with the Director of Parks & Education to create nature hikes, classroom discussions, illustrated lectures, audio–visual displays, magazine and newspaper articles, and special promotional campaigns to teach the public about aspects of the parks and encourage people to visit. Provide resources to the Director of FEEC in order to promote FEEC to the public.

● Prepares interpretive materials, including newsletter articles, displays and exhibits, teacher education guides, park flyers, and brochures to depict natural history and cultural resources of the parks and region.

● Serves as SCT’s representative with external organizations; attends and/or speaks at meetings, community and professional functions, and conferences as assigned.

● Conducts research and gathers scientific information regarding site conditions; surveys field sites for flora, fauna, and other wildlife; assists in the analysis of environmental impacts of projects and recreational use on SCT land; assists in the development and implementation of resource management restoration plans for specific areas, trails, and preserves.

Wildlife Management: (20%)

• Cares for animals used in interpretive programs, including feeding, cage cleaning, and health monitoring.  Manages the animal ambassador enclosures and aquarium exhibit maintenance including trouble shooting and emergency procedures, as needed at the director of the Director of Parks & Education.
• Participates in organizational special events outside of the department as needed.
• Performs administrative tasks, such as attending meetings and training, preparing reports, monitoring expenditures, and maintaining records.

Required Qualifications:

●      Bachelor’s degree in environmental education, natural sciences, parks and recreation, outdoor recreation, or related field required.

●      2 years Environmental and recreational program experience. Or relevant master’s degree.

●      Willingness to travel locally and regionally as needed.

●      Strong interpersonal skills and ability to interact and communicate with a variety of public and private interests, partners, and constituents.

●      Strong computer proficiency and office skills.

●      Willingness to work nights and weekend events as needed.

●      A valid driver’s license and willingness to use a personal vehicle when necessary (with mileage reimbursement for out of county travel).

●      Ability to exercise independent judgement, discretion, and decision making. Maintain confidentiality and professional work standards and ethics.

●      High-energy, creative, self-starter with excellent time management and organizational skills; proven ability to meet deadlines and maintain flexibility in a fast-paced work environment.

●      Proven ability to work independently with minimal supervision and to work effectively, positively, and collaboratively as part of our dynamic team.

Preferred Qualifications:

●      Project Learning Tree, Project WET, Project WILD Instructor

●      American Red Cross Instructor Certification

●      Leave No Trace Master Educator

●      American Canoe Association Training/Certification

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, use hands and fingers to type, handle or feel, reach with hands and arms, talk and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision and ability to adjust focus during significant computer related work.   May work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain, and under physically demanding circumstances. Position will also work closely with wildlife.

About the Organization: The Southern Conservation Trust (SCT) is a 501-c(3) non-profit headquartered in downtown Fayetteville, Georgia.  SCT is the fastest growing land trust in Georgia and elevates nature through the exceptional stewardship of conserved land, providing environmental education and access to public nature preserves.  SCT works throughout the southeast to conserve over 10,000 acres annually.  We are seeking an individual with a passion for place-based environmental education, leadership skills and experience to champion its educational programming, dedication to advance conservation initiatives, and the ability to strengthen support among diverse stakeholders throughout Fayette and surrounding counties. The position will work with the entire SCT team on a daily basis.  The Environmental Education Coordinator will be based in Fayetteville, Georgia. 

Our Culture: Staff work collaboratively in a team environment, yet remain responsible for completing their individual tasks and projects. Regular interaction with other staff includes bi-weekly team meetings, monthly one-on-one scheduled supervisory check-ins, regular constructive brainstorming and problem solving, and daily communication so that we can achieve our goals together. We are all self-starters who can remain flexible to ever-changing circumstances. We value integrity, demonstrate an impeccable work ethic, trust, and personal responsibility. SCT staff and board have mutual respect for one another and demonstrate discretion in all of our work and communication.

SCT’s office is a dog-friendly, people-friendly, positive environment where good humor and frequent laughter, hard work, reliability, and kindness are valued. The successful candidate will contribute to our diverse skill-set and embrace and contribute to the creative, productive, problem-solving culture we intentionally foster at our workplace.