Educator

Classification: Full Time, Exempt

Location: Salt Lake City, UT

Compensation: Starting at $40,000/year or additional salary considerations with potential housing (see details below)

Application Deadline: April 30, 2025

APPLY BUTTON—link to form or email address of hiring manager

About HawkWatch International

Founded in 1986, HawkWatch International (HWI) is a raptor conservation nonprofit with a mission to conserve the environment through education, long-term monitoring, and scientific research on raptors as indicators of ecosystem health. As we approach 40 years of conservation, we are ready to invest in people who can help our hardworking team of educators, scientists, and administrative staff.

About the Position

HWI Educators participate in the planning, development, and implementation of a variety of educational programs. We are looking for candidates who are passionate about science and conservation and love sharing this passion with others. The ideal candidate will be comfortable talking to anyone and everyone. Much of the work we do is independent, so we need someone who can take a project or program from an idea to a final product with occasional feedback from the rest of the team. We also work extensively with our collection of Raptor Ambassadors, so experience working with animals, especially wild animals or birds, will be helpful. Our educators occasionally assist other departments, so being a flexible team player will be essential. All Educators report to Melissa Halvorsen, the Education and Outreach Director.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Design and implement quality education programs for the general public and K-12 students, including content correlated to state and national science standards
• Handle Raptor Ambassadors on the glove during programs and as part of the Bird Care team
• Deliver education programs as assigned, with an emphasis on school programs for grades 9-12
• Deliver programs outside of traditional working hours on evenings and weekends up to 2-3 times per month
• Travel across Utah and the Western United States to deliver presentations
• Train docent volunteers in bird handling and presentation skills
• Assist in Raptor Ambassador husbandry including routine care, medical assessment and treatment, and training
• Develop and execute new education programs for target audiences in line with the Education Department Annual Plan
• Schedule programs, volunteers, and birds

Qualifications 

• 3-5 years experience in public speaking/presenting or science communication
• 2+ years managing people or programs with supervision (includes any work that involves making independent decisions, coordinating with others, working independently, and holding others accountable)
• Strong understanding of ecology and the scientific process and an ability to translate scientific concepts into language the average learner can understand
• Ability to relate to people of diverse ages, backgrounds, and abilities–must be willing to talk to anyone and everyone that is willing to learn
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with team members, volunteers, other HWI department staff, and members of the general public
• Must be able to work independently and make well-reasoned decisions even under pressure
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Efficient time management skills to consistently meet deadlines and manage complex, multi-step tasks
• Valid US driver’s license and ability to drive long distances in a variety of weather conditions
• Must have access to reliable transportation and may be required to use a personal vehicle for work
• Must be able to work in our Salt Lake City office up to three days per week

Characteristics That Will Set You Apart 

• Tú hablas español or ASL
• Experience working with volunteers
• Familiarity with Next-Generation Science Standards/3D science pedagogy
• Experience working with captive wildlife, especially birds along with a commitment to balancing bird welfare with programmatic needs
• Comfort working with diverse learners such as incarcerated youth, adults or children with sensory challenges, LGBTQIA+, English language learners, refugees, etc.
• A strong desire to take ownership of projects and the ability to see a product from inception to full implementation 

Additional Information

• Housing (single private room with shared bathroom) is available for this position with a prorated salary. Candidates will have the opportunity to tour housing unit before hire if interested. Housing rate may be adjusted for candidates that are willing to take on additional responsibilities. 
• One of the best perks of being on the education team is the opportunity to form relationships with our Raptor Ambassadors. We find this works best with people who are able to set aside anthropomorphism and truly prioritize the needs and wellbeing of the birds.
• Our team is small but mighty! We rely on each member of the group to fully engage in the work and pull their weight. Successful candidates will be team players that advocate for themselves and others.
• This is an exempt, salaried position with a very flexible schedule. On rare occasions (~3 weeks per year), we work as much as 50-60 hours a week. Other times, we work as little as 35 hours per week. We strive to maintain work life balance by offering generous vacation, PTO, and comp time. If you thrive in a predictable, regular schedule, this position may not be a good fit. 
• We work with diverse learners from all kinds of backgrounds. Successful educators are able to respectfully communicate with anyone who approaches them in good faith.
• As part of our commitment to providing a safe and secure work environment, we conduct background checks on all prospective employees. These checks are conducted in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, and are designed to ensure that our hiring decisions are based on legitimate, non-discriminatory reasons.

Key Points:

• Consent: We obtain written consent before conducting any background check.
• Transparency: Should any information from a background check potentially impact hiring decisions, we will provide you with a copy of the report and an opportunity to respond.
• Fair Treatment: We apply the same standards to all candidates, regardless of race, national origin, color, sex, religion, disability, genetic information, or age.
• Relevance: A criminal record will not automatically disqualify you from employment. We will consider the nature and timing of any offenses in relation to the job requirements.
• Mandatory: Final approval of hiring is contingent upon completion of the background check process.

Compensation

• This full-time, exempt position offers a starting salary of $40,000
• Health, dental, and vision insurance are available for staff with premiums 100% covered by the employer
• IRA match up to 3%
• Starting paid time off is 12 vacation days, 9 personal days, and eight paid holidays.
• $40 per month cell phone reimbursement
• $20 allowance per month for personal care or development
• Annual professional development allowance of $200
• Use of a company vehicle or reimbursement for mileage traveled in personal vehicle for scheduled outreach programs
• Highly flexible, hybrid work schedule with core working hours M-F from 10 AM to 3 PM    

Commitment to Fair Treatment of Individual Applicants

We believe that just as in nature, diversity in the workforce fosters adaptability, resilience, and well-being. We strive to build a team that reflects the stakeholders and communities we serve and the places we work. Our goal is to create an environment where each team member feels valued, respected, and empowered in their work.