Sunriver Nature Center & Observatory

Education Programs Specialist

Type: Permanent Full-time

Hours: This is a year-round position averaging 30 hours/week. Summer hours (May-September) average 40 hours/week, while fall, winter, and spring hours average 25 hours/week. 

Closing Date:  Applications open until August 2nd.

 

Website

Position Description

HOW TO APPLY: Please send a cover letter, resume, and contact information for two professional references, in a single pdf file, to: shannon@snco.org Please include the position title in the subject line of the email.

 

 

 

 

Summary/Objective

This position is responsible for assisting the Education Programs Manager with all education programs. This includes outdoor summer nature and space camps, K-12 field trips, children and family programs, themed special events, and animal ambassador programs. This is a highly cross-trained position and serves as an integral member of the daytime team by also assisting with daily operations, including visitor services and animal husbandry as needed.

Position Responsibilities

  • Independently lead K-12 and children and family educational programming.
  • Delivery of K-12 programming curriculum in alignment with state and school district standards.
  • Delivery of on and off-site educational programming such as homeschool programs, afterschool programs, family programs, summer camps, and other programs.
  • Deliver interactive activities such as games, experiments, hikes, crafts, etc. with the natural world in mind.
  • Assist with program development of K-12 and children and family programming.
  • Participation in the delivery of on-site visitor experiences such as presentations, tours, guided hikes, animal ambassador encounters, and other interpretive programs.
  • Provide support for daily visitor service operations including fielding visitor inquiries and staffing the front desk as needed.
  • Provide support in animal husbandry, training, and delivering live animal presentations as needed.
  • Participate in the delivery of organization-wide special events including the annual Wildflower Show & Pollinator Festival and FungiFest.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

 

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee works indoors and outdoors, which may include extreme temperatures, with a diverse population and wildlife.

 

Travel

  • This position requires some travel to local schools and events.

 

Required Education and Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree (or working toward a degree) in elementary education, natural resources, biology, astronomy, or a similar field. A combination of relevant education and appropriate experience is also acceptable.
  • Experience delivering education or science programs to diverse audiences.
  • Excellent customer service and communication skills.
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities.
  • Must be able to work outdoors in hot, cold, wet and/or dry conditions and engage in sustained physical activity throughout the day during all seasons.
  • Must be able to sit or stand for extended periods of time and lift up to 50 lbs.
  • Interest in working with children and a wide variety of people.
  • Must exercise patience in stressful situations.
  • Must possess and maintain a valid Oregon state driver’s license.

 

Preferred Education and Experience

  • Experience working with children and/or in environmental science, ecology, astronomy, or similar background
  • Elementary level knowledge base on astronomy, ecology, and/or animal biology; or excitement to fill any knowledge gaps.
  • First Aid/CPR certification

 

Hours

This is a year-round position averaging 30 hours/week. Summer hours (May-September) average 40 hours/week, while fall, winter, and spring hours average 25 hours/week. This position qualifies for health insurance benefits and PTO accrual.