Environmental Educator

Bonnyvale Environmental Education Center, Brattleboro, Vermont

Gain valuable experience working with a team of naturalist educators fostering connections to the natural world through a variety of opportunities, including camps, school programs, public programs, volunteer opportunities, and the visitor experience. BEEC seeks a creative educator and nature lover, who enjoys serving outdoors and with children, and has strong leadership and inclusion skills.

This position is part of the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board AmeriCorps (VHCB AmeriCorps).  The VHCB AmeriCorps program supports the innovative dual-goal approach to creating stable affordable housing opportunities for Vermont residents while preserving the natural and working landscape.  VHCB AmeriCorps is a national service program that places members with non-profit housing or land and energy conservation organizations around the state.

BEEC is a member-based nonprofit organization founded in 1991, with a mission to foster experiences that inspire connection to the natural world and its many inhabitants. To achieve its mission, BEEC provides a variety of educational programs and initiatives to create an involved group of community scientists and caring stewards of our land. BEEC coordinates and leads important community-based natural history and conservation programs. BEEC public programs are for all ages to engage with and learn about the natural world around us. BEEC school programs use the scientific process, hands-on activities, and outdoor experiences to help students learn about a wide range of life, earth, physical and environmental science topics. BEEC youth programs are for the young person who loves the natural world with the goal to foster a love of nature in a fun, safe, and supportive environment. BEEC trails are open to the public from dawn to dusk and we are envisioning new interpretive features to enhance the visitors’ experience.  The Environmental Educator will support and help develop these efforts to help us achieve our mission.

Essential Functions:

• Co-develop and teach environmental education youth programs and day camps.
• Coordinate events and create educational materials to build member relationships.
• Strengthen the visitors’ experience to BEEC through the creation of interpretive features.
• Steward the BEEC property, leading volunteers on trail maintenance and invasive plant management.
• Participate in an Independent Service Project under the guidance of VHCB AmeriCorps
• Participate in all VHCB AmeriCorps Trainings, Service Days, Events, and Program Initiatives.
• Engage in professional and personal development activities and networking opportunities.

Additional Information:

Service will be performed primarily outdoors, some will be performed remotely using collaborative technology, and some will take place within a classroom and office. There is some flexibility in the schedule. Camp hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:00pm.  The member will serve a schedule that will include some evenings and weekends.  BEEC’s culture is one of respect for the natural world and for our colleagues. We foster and participate in open communication and collaborative decision-making.

Position begins September 9th, 2024 and ends August 14th, 2025.

This position is Full Time: Requires 1,720 hours for an average of 40 hours per week for 47 weeks. Member will receive a living allowance of $30,000 (pre-tax) for the service term. Member will receive an education award of $7,395 (pre-tax) upon successful completion of service. 

Other benefits include health insurance, federal school loan forbearance, and various training and networking opportunities.

To Apply: https://vhcb.org/our-programs/vhcb-americorps/positions

For questions about this position or to send additional materials:

Kristina Weeks, 802-257-5785, kristina@beec.org

Bonnyvale Environmental Education Center

PO Box 2318, West Brattleboro, VT 05303

Application deadline: August 1st, 2024. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis; open until filled.

Additional information on the AmeriCorps is available at www.americorps.gov.