Preserve Naturalist & Educator
The APBPC Preserve Naturalist and Educator is a member of the APBPC Education Department and works as a member of a dynamic team to implement a comprehensive education program for the APBP compatible with the natural resources, research and management goals of the preserve and in alignment with the APBPC Management Plan and Community Connection Initiative. The Preserve Naturalist and Educator brings a background in nature study, education and interpretation that can be applied to the work of the APBPC Education Department including both in-person and virtual interpretive and educational programming, publications and opportunities for community engagement. The Preserve Naturalist and Educator manages the Volunteer Naturalist Program and is supervised by the Education Program Director.
The Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission (APBPC) is a public-private partnership created by the NYS Legislature in 1988 to protect and manage the Albany Pine Bush Preserve (APBP) and provide the public with educational and recreational opportunities. The Management Plan for the Albany Pine Bush Preserve guides all aspects of creating and managing the preserve.
The 3,400+ - acre APBP, located in New York’s Capital District, protects one of the best remaining inland pitch-pine scrub oak barrens in the world. This extraordinary fire-dependent ecosystem provides habitat for many plants and animals, which includes 78 New York State-designated wildlife Species of Greatest Conservation Need, such as the endangered Karner blue butterfly. The APBP is a National Natural Landmark, Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area Site, National Recreation Trail Site, a New York State Unique Area, Birding Trail Site and Bird Conservation Area, and a National Audubon Society Important Bird Area. Characterized by rolling sand dunes and over 20 miles of trails, the APBP offers visitors with a variety of interests many recreational opportunities including hiking, bird watching, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, mountain biking, hunting, fishing and canoeing.
As the gateway to the Pine Bush, the Discovery Center at 195 New Karner Road, Albany, is a “green” certified interpretive center where visitors come to understand why the Pine Bush is rare and special. This unique destination provides for exciting exploration where learning comes naturally through interactive exhibits, an outdoor Discovery Trail, and numerous programs on the ecology, natural history, cultural history and management of the Pine Bush.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Work as a member of a team to increase public awareness and understanding of the Albany Pine Bush including its natural history, ecology and cultural history and facilitate connections to the Pine Bush Preserve.
- Develop and lead in-person and virtual Pine Bush-centered, standards-based, interactive and hands-on education programs for a diversity of school and home school groups from grades pre-K – university level.
- Collaborate with APBPC staff in creating and leading in-person and virtual Pine Bush–centered interpretive programs for the public, including programs geared towards families and special interest groups.
- Create and assemble materials to accompany new education and interpretive programs.
- Support guest public education program leaders by attending programs and providing assistance with needs that arise.
- Contribute to the creation and publication of Pine Bush-specific interpretive materials including brochures, fact sheets, short videos and social media posts.
- Provide technical support for virtual programs and webinars on Zoom and Google Classroom.
- Provide Discovery Center visitor assistance and provide for a safe and pleasant visitor experience.
- Work collaboratively with the Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator to oversee and manage the APBPC Volunteer Naturalist Program.
- Serve as a member of the animal care team, providing care for the Discovery Center captive turtles.
- Share responsibility for program set-up and clean-up including Discovery Center classrooms.
- Share coverage of weekend and evening programs.
- Ability to prioritize tasks in the absence of direct supervision.
- Communicate with supervisor to resolve any unforeseen problems or questions.
- Other duties as assigned by supervisor.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree preferred with a major in environmental education, environmental science, cultural or natural history interpretation, biology, elementary/secondary education or other related field and a minimum of two years work experience in a nature center, teaching or other work experience related to public education.
- Experience delivering education programs to a diversity of audiences.
- Strong interest in nature and environmental conservation.
- Willingness to learn new information and ability to communicate that information in a way that is engaging to visitors both in-person and virtually.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, including public-speaking skills.
- Experience working with Microsoft Office’s suite of software applications.
- Able to use technology in interpretation and environmental education programming.
- Comfortable using an iPad and related products.
- Experience creating and editing short videos.
- Ability to complete tasks independently with respect to timeline(s).
- Willingness to travel locally in personal vehicle with mileage reimbursement, work flexible hours, including weekends and some evenings.
- Current certification in basic first aid and CPR preferred or willingness to become certified.
- Work requires minor physical exertion and infrequent exposure to disagreeable elements.
Job Title: Preserve Naturalist and Educator
Department: Education
Supervisor: Erin Kinal, Education Program Director
Location: Albany, NY
Salary: $43,932.
Classification of Position: Full Time, Permanent
37.5 hours/week (Sunday - Thursday)
APBPC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
APBPC does not discriminate in its employment opportunities or practices on the basis of an individual’s actual or perceived race, color, sex, national origin, ethnicity, hairstyle and hair texture, military or veteran status, mental or physical disability, marital status, sexual orientation, sexual and reproductive health decisions, gender identity, transgender status, genetic information/predisposition or carrier status, age, religion, creed, domestic violence victim status, and any other classification protected by federal, state or local law.
APBPC is an at-will employer.
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of APBPC for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
APPLICATION DEADLINE:
4:00pm August 30, 2022
Please e-mail cover letter, resume, and three references to:
Erin Kinal
ekinal@albanypinebush.org
No phone calls please.
Date Posted: 07-26-2022
Expire Date: 08-30-2022
Contact Name: Erin Kinal
Contact Email: ekinal@albanypinebush.org
Additional Instructions:
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Deadline 4:00pm August 30, 2022 Please e-mail cover letter, resume, and three references to: Erin Kinal ekinal@albanypinebush.org No phone calls please.
Documents: Preserve Naturalist and Educator Job Description |