Environmental Education and Outreach 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).
• Given that some SPP coordinator positions include 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 (honey bees) 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.
• 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 will lead efforts to update and improve environmental education programs and will work closely with the Environmental Education and Outreach Coordinator. Current programs include peer-led Foundations in Gardening course, Foundations in Composting course, Peer Facilitation training, and Beekeeping education. For peer-led programs, incarcerated individuals serve as facilitators, mentors, instructors, subject-matter experts, and/or program administrators and participants receive a certificate for successful completion. Beekeeping education is supported by local beekeeping experts and certification is provided by Washington State Beekeeping Association. All SPP environmental education programs include support from SPP-Evergreen including regular check-ins, student and administrative tracking, access to reporting, certificate recognition, and celebration. 

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

• Work with the Supervisor and the Environmental Education Coordinator to identify, plan, and update the Foundations in Gardening and the Foundations in Gardening Curriculums. This may include updates to the curriculum, formatting, portfolio components, supplemental materials, and outreach materials.
• Collect and track feedback from peer led classes and trainings.
• Serve as a backup for peer to peer and beekeeping classes. This may include attending classes or meetings.
• Cultivate and maintain communication and positive relationships with all program partners: Evergreen and DOC staff, incarcerated individuals, and participants from other organizations (e.g., Washington State Beekeepers Association, local beekeeping experts, gardening experts, etc.), and DOC staff at host prisons.
• Visit prison sites across the state to assist with program planning, implementation, and delivery.
• Occasionally attend classroom sessions and graduation events.
• Promote and support other programs, activities, learning materials, and inclusion of job training to enhance and complement programs and create opportunities for course graduates
• Lead efforts to create, coordinate, and pilot SPP’s peer-to-peer training.

Reporting, Accountability, and Advancing SPP

• Provide updates weekly to supervisor and every two weeks to the team at SPP-Evergreen staff meetings.
• Actively participate in promoting the staff team and the organization as a whole, including:
  • Participate in team meetings.
  • Create and collaborate on outreach and dissemination materials
  • Identify and act on relevant opportunities for inter-program support and enhancements
  • Present on SPP to varied audiences in multiple venues
  • Consider and contribute to proposals for new funding for SPP programs
• Maintain good communication through regular updates with team members at each site.
• Update tasks lists and keep current in a format agreeable to coordinator and supervisors.
• Provide reports detailing accomplishments and progress as required by funding source.

Outreach

• Coordinate 3-4 trips with SPP approved photographer to take photos of SPP Programs.
• Store, label, and organize photos on Teams.
• Assist supervisor with updates to SPP outreach materials and social media.
• Assist in editing, formatting, and writing with the SPP Annual Report.
• Coordinate and execute a social media plan with supervisor.

Operations

• Maintain inventory of office supplies and order when necessary.
• Assist in planning team building exercises and events.
• Assist in identifying, scheduling, and delivering trainings for the team.
• Assist in developing meeting agendas for Staff Meetings and Coordinator Meetings.