Butterfly Program Coordinator

ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND

The Sustainability in Prisons Project is a partnership founded by The Evergreen State College (Evergreen) and the Washington Department of Corrections (WA DOC). Program coordinators work collaboratively with a variety of partners, to advance SPP’s mission to bring nature, science, and environmental education into prisons. More information on SPP can be found on our website: sustainabilityinprisons.org/

OPPORTUNITIES

• Work with an Evergreen-based organization that supports the balance between SPP job duties and graduate school responsibilities.
• Improve access to science and sustainability education for an underserved group of people.
• Assist in the recovery of a federally endangered species within a large group of natural resource agencies and conservation organizations.
• Participate in a learning exchange with a collaborative, engaged community of incarcerated people, corrections staff, scientists, researchers, faculty, and students.
• Learn and work across differences to promote positive change, practice respect and compassion for all partners and collaborators.
• Participate in professional development opportunities including training, conferences, and education events; provide valuable contributions to SPP statewide and beyond.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required 

• Current or fall enrollment in an Evergreen graduate degree program.
• Available to work 20hrs./wk. primarily Monday-Friday between 8am and 6pm (some hours may be flexible). If desired additional hours may be available during academic year breaks.
• Given that this position includes work with living organisms, work may require occasional evening and weekend hours or additional time. All worked hours will be compensated.
• Interest in working with living organisms (butterflies and butterfly larvae) and supporting access to education and nature.
• Subject-matter and technical expertise are desirable, but can be taught on the job and are not required 
• Excellent social and communication skills are essential.
• Current driver’s license and reliable vehicle (mileage will be reimbursed) and/or willingness to request state motor pool vehicle for trips to prisons.
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• Willingness and ability to work safely and professionally in a correctional setting; employment contingent on successful WA DOC background check and security clearance.
• Ability to work across differences with respect and compassion for all people; effectively communicate and collaborate with WA DOC staff and supervisors, incarcerated people, partner organizations, and SPP team members to fulfill SPP’s mission.
• Willingness and ability to follow directions, keep information organized and accessible, collaborate on projects, and give and hear feedback.

Desired

• Knowledge and/or experience in conservation biology, ecology, environmental education, horticulture, environmental science, animal care, and/or related field.
• Administrative experience and/or aptitude.
• Experience developing and supporting partnerships

Responsibilities

The primary responsibilities of all SPP program coordinators are to maintain thriving education and training programs, while cultivating positive relationships with program partners. This position leads coordination, education, and training for the Taylor’s Checkerspot Butterfly Captive Rearing Program at Washington Department of Corrections Facility; TCB Program is being relocated to either Washington Corrections Center for Women (WCCW) in Gig Harbor, WA or to Stafford Creek Corrections Center (CCCC) in Aberdeen, WA. With the guidance of WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife and Oregon Zoo, SPP partners (Evergreen and WA DOC) rear and release federally endangered Taylor’s checkerspot butterflies. SPP program coordinators oversee the program’s incarcerated butterfly technicians who work year-round to successfully breed and rear the butterflies. Technicians feed and care for butterflies at every life stage, track and maintain genetic lineages and pairings, observe exacting hygiene protocol, manage detailed data, and maintain larvae food plants. While the larvae sleep through the fall and early winter, SPP coordinators work with incarcerated technicians to monitor them for movement, update rearing protocols, assist in reporting and planning, and seminar on topics in ecological science.

The position works with another SPP Coordinator to support the Taylor’s Checkerspot Butterfly Program with rearing and breeding duties primarily occurring from January through June. They will also work with butterfly technicians on continued care, program management, and education occurring from July to December. SPP staff practice strong partnership building, communication, adaptability, and problem-solving skills.

Position tasks are described below. Requested duties may vary depending on program status, participant needs, and organization priorities. All time and travel expenses are compensated. As a member of the SPP partnership, the person in this position will have influence on position tasks.

Program Coordination: 

• Make independent site visits to provide education and training and to monitor and support the overall health of the program. Site visits are typically once per week and sometimes twice per week during the active rearing season (mid-Jan-June).
• Participate in ongoing program planning, improvement, and problem solving.
• Work with partners and other SPP staff to identify, develop, implement, and maintain education and training materials; lead and facilitate seminars and workshops.
• Whenever possible, empower technicians to actively participate in program planning, problem solving, education and training development, and updating procedures.
• Make purchase requests, gain required approvals, deliver project supplies and equipment, and maintain inventory tracking.
• Provide recommendation letters, and other education and reentry support resources for technicians as requested.
• Maintain effective communication, cultivate positive relationships through regular updates, and provide required reports for all partners including WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, WA DOC, incarcerated technicians, and other program partners.
• Transport butterflies and participate in release events as needed.
• Oversee and ensure the quality of data collected by technicians; support data entry and transfer from prison computer to SPP shared files each quarter; analyze and share data.
• Work with WA DOC prison staff to maintain and repair program infrastructure and generate facilities work requests as needed.
• Oversee care of larvae food and nectar plants and provide related education and training resources.
• Participate in the recruitment, interview, and hiring process for new program technicians.
• Facilitate and coordinate meetings among program partners at least annually; participate in Taylor’s Checkerspot Working Group meetings.
• Coordinate off-site technician education and training activities with WA DOC, SPP, and partner organizations including participation in the annual working group meeting and prairie field trips as possible.
• Occasionally generate web and social media content for SPP sites.
• Coordinate and participate in program tours.
• Track program participants and completion of program education and training in SPP metadata.
• Conduct quarterly evaluations for each technician to provide feedback on performance.

Reporting and Accountability 

• Provide program updates to supervisor in weekly meetings and to the team every two weeks in SPP-Evergreen staff meetings; participate in quarterly check-ins with supervisor.
• Actively participate in the staff team and the organization, including:
• Create and collaborate on education, outreach, and dissemination materials.
• Identify and act on relevant opportunities for inter-program support, training, and enhancements.
• Support organization administrative tasks based on skills and organization need.
• Present on SPP to varied audiences in multiple venues as opportunities arise.
• Consider and contribute to proposals for new funding for SPP programs.
• Maintain task lists and documents in accessible locations.
• Lead preparation of program sections of the SPP annual report and other reports as needed; collaborate with technicians to gather data and observations on program status
• Monitor and track progress of incarcerated technicians including their participation in education and training activities, education portfolio requirements, and reentry support.
• Maintain a safe work environment: complete required WA DOC and SPP-Evergreen trainings, follow policies for visitors, chemicals, supplies/equipment, and media clearances, and report any issues or challenges immediately.