POSITION TITLE: Community Science Program Assistant 

SUPERVISOR: Community Science Program Director 

TERMS: Seasonal Full Time Position, May 19st 2025 – Aug 15th 2025 

LOCATION: The position will be based in Durango, CO

Mountain Studies Institute (MSI) is a 501 (c)(3) non-advocacy, mountain education and research center established in 2002 to develop the capacity of southwest Colorado mountain communities to thrive and live sustainably. MSI was created to increase knowledge of our unique mountain environments, deepen our understanding of the issues that affect them, and develop solutions for the benefit of our vibrant mountain communities. We build partnerships to steward natural and cultural values by engaging scientists, citizens, and land managers to innovate solutions through advancing research, promoting education, and developing best practices to put science into action.  

MSI is seeking a Community Science Program Assistant responsible for developing and delivering place-based environmental education and stewardship activities centered around MSI’s community-driven water, forest health, and climate-related research and action. With oversight from the Community Science Program Director, the Community Science Program Assistant will:

● Lead water quality and forest health field trips with youth and adults.  

● Develop forest health and water quality activities and help implement them.

● Lead educational activities at public events, such as Animas River Days and National Public Lands Day.  

● Develop watershed health interpretive exhibits/activities related to the City of Durango’s interpretive plan for the ‘forest shed’. ● Advance MSI’s citizen science programs such as River Watch, Bighorn Sheep Monitoring, E.coli Monitoring, and/or PikaNet.

● Teach in class lessons and activities and work with students on projects and internships.  

● Provide other office administration and operational support as assigned

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

The successful candidate will have a passion for providing environmental education to youth and community across the San Juans. They will thrive in a team atmosphere in a dynamic and growing organization. They will bring a proactive approach to working with all members of the team to address organizational needs. The candidate will be excited by a versatile position that works across various ecosystems in the San Juans, a want to work with students and the public to better understand their mountain ecosystems is a must.  

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS  

● Background in the natural sciences and/or education.

● A passion for learning and the outdoors.

● Ethic of national and community service and a strong desire to create positive change

● Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; computer literate

● High School Diploma or GED required, college graduate preferred

● Highly organized, with excellent attention to detail

● Strong prioritization skills, with flexibility to attend to dynamic needs

● Proactive approach to workflow, including an eye for improving processes and communication

● Proficiency with managing office systems and software (Microsoft Word, Excel, etc.)

● Ability to adapt to changing job requirements  Note that experience includes lived experience, traditional knowledge, volunteer experience, school or coursework, work experience, and other related qualifications, skills, and experience. No candidate will meet every requirement. If you're excited about the position and think you may be a good candidate, we encourage you to apply.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS  

● History in natural resources or other similar field

● Experience in facilitating youth programs

● Strong Excel and/or Google Sheets skills  

● Experience with federal contracts and grant management

● Familiarity with billable hour tracking and reporting

EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS

Paid Time Off

RATE OF PAY

$18.00 an hour

DIVERSITY MAKES US STRONGER  

MSI aims to build a welcoming, inclusive team that is as diverse as the many mountain communities we serve. We seek a broad range of perspectives and backgrounds to achieve our mission and maintain an environment where all staff are valued and respected.   As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to employment practices that ensure that employees and applicants for employment are provided with equal opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, or any other factor that is not related to the position. This policy applies to all aspects of one’s employment, including hiring, transfer, promotion, compensation, benefits, and termination.   MSI is a growing research and education center. We are looking for candidates with the ambition and passion for mountains, nonprofits, and mission-driven work who are willing to help grow the institute, explore new ways to communicate and serve local communities, and apply our mission for the betterment of the region and the world. MSI believes in a collaborative and supportive work environment that encourages and inspires professional growth.