Director of Education: Guiding Coachella Valley’s Land Stewards of Tomorrow
Join Friends of the Desert Mountains’ team of dedicated staff and volunteers.
The Director of Education develops, directs, and implements the Friends’ Youth Education programs. The position will work closely with the Programs Committee to help facilitate education programs for all ages. Friends of the Desert Mountains continues to evolve, responding to the needs of the local community while still stewarding and helping others connect to the land.
Job Title: Director of Education
FLSA Classification: Exempt (Full-time)
Department: Administration
Reports to: Executive Director
Deadline to Apply: May 23, 2022
Salary Range: $65,000 – 71,000
Submit Cover Letter & Resume to: resumes@desertmountains.org
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Director of Education develops, directs, and implements the Friends’ Youth Education programs. The position will work closely with the Programs Committee to help facilitate education programs for all ages.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:
Supervise and review the work of the Environmental Educator. This includes setting annual goals for the Environmental Educator and evaluating their performance against those goals as part of the performance review process.
Collaborate with local schools, teachers, volunteers and other partners to develop and implement our outdoor and environmental science education curriculum for deliver to Coachella Valley youth aged K-12. STEM and NGSS should be an integral part of the program. The program should include teaching kids about Coachella Valley ecosystems, including the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument where appropriate, and how to explore and enjoy the environment safely and responsibly. In addition, the program should show how the Friends of the Desert Mountains mission statement is tied into protecting the habitats and organisms that participants have studied and/or observed.
Deliver a high-quality environmental education programs to a variety of youth groups and families in a wide variety of settings—formal and informal, indoors and outdoors, on-site and off-site, etc.
Assist with program logistics as needed with Friends staff & volunteers, and with schools, community groups or others requesting programs. Collaborate with partners to deliver joint programs when appropriate. Help train and supervise volunteers in program curriculum, delivery methods, etc.
Drive to and from sites in and around the Coachella Valley whenever appropriate to prepare and deliver field programs to increase youth access to environmental education in natural settings and to ensure that communities are aware of the natural places nearby where they can go to learn, recreate, and connect with the outdoors on their own if they desire.
Provide input to the Environmental Educator to foster high quality program offerings that are interactive, engaging, place-based, culturally relevant, bilingual where appropriate, specific to participants’ needs when appropriate, interdisciplinary when possible, inclusive, and fun for all.
Assist with curriculum design and development of the Youth Education Program.
Handle animals as necessary during youth programs to introduce youth to the concept of wildlife conservation, and inspire love for animals and the environment.
Flexibility to work evenings or weekends as necessary.
GENERAL
Leadership – Maintain a positive, upbeat role, promote and exemplify Company values and represents departmental objectives and interests to internal and external customers
Customer Service – Follow up on complaints, questions, and concerns; respond to internal/external customer needs in a friendly, timely and efficient manner
Teamwork - Develop and promote teamwork and cooperation among co-workers
Safety – Comply with established safe work practices and attend to all safety-related training provided or made available by the Company.
Other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Bachelor Degree and experience in education programs.
Demonstrated experience in educating all ages in formal and/or informal settings.
Enthusiasm and interest in working primarily with children.
Spanish speaking a plus.
Experience working with underserved communities, majority Spanish-speaking communities, or tribal communities a plus.
Outgoing and friendly with strong people skills.
Familiarity with Coachella Valley environmental conservation/justice issues, natural sciences, indigenous cultural history, and/or public lands a plus.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
Strong initiative, dedication, honesty and ability to work independently.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word and Outlook).
Ability to work in a fast-paced work environment that requires strong multitasking skills, excellent time management and self-starter mentality.
Highly organized with a strong attention to detail and follow-up, and able to work in a team environment.
Willingness to use personal vehicle on Friends’ business; maintain a valid CA drivers’ license with a good driving record.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described on the attached “Physical Demands of Position” chart 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. See attached “Physical Demands of the Position”.
CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
This position has access to confidential information – (credit card information given to employee from customers/donors for events/fundraising, and volunteer confidential information)
COMPANY FUNDS
This position has access to company funds: (cash register funds – cash / credit / debit card information)