LandPaths In Our Own BackYard (IOOBY) education program

Field Based Assistant Education Director

Program Description: LandPaths, a community-based non-profit dedicated to “fostering a love of the land,” is seeking an experienced, energetic and creative Environmental Educator to assist in directing and implementing its ‘Place-based’ field education program, In Our Own BackYard (IOOBY). IOOBY links 2nd -12th grade students throughout Sonoma County to a publicly protected natural area within their watershed. Central to the program is the class’ “adoption” of the property through a series of theme-based visits (discovery, watershed processes, wildlife habitat and stewardship). Repeated visits allow students to witness seasonal changes and develop meaningful relationships not only to the land, but also to us and us to them.

About LandPaths
LandPaths is a Sonoma County-based nonprofit organization “dedicated to fostering a love of the land through public access, stewardship and environmental education programs” (our mission) on preserved lands. LandPaths staff and volunteers work with public agencies, community groups, individuals and other nonprofits in order to accomplish this mission. LandPaths includes 10 staff, 6 board members and approximately 50 volunteers.

Program Type: Non-Residential

Responsibilities
Administer and teach in the education program, including:

• Carrying out/implementing LandPaths’ stated mission within the IOOBY Program
  
• Work collaboratively with education director
  
• Teach groups of 8-30 students in the field
  
• Implement IOOBY field curriculum – observation/discovery experiences, watershed exploration and water testing, wildlife and habitat surveys, and stewardship and restoration projects
  
• Develop additional projects, curriculum and support material as needed
  
• Communicate with teachers, volunteers, agency partners and landowners in preparation of field days
  
• Maintain and enhance relationships with program partners such as landowners, agencies and organizations
  
• Coordinate teacher/volunteer meetings and trainings
• Provide administrative support for the program including grant writing, budget tracking, newsletter

Job Duration: School Year
Job Status: Full-Time, Part-Time, Permanent

Qualified applicant will have:

• Undergraduate degree in environmental studies/ecology/teaching or related field
• Experience working with and teaching students in a field-based setting
  
• Ability to translate knowledge to a variety of ages/cultural backgrounds
  
• Knowledge of natural and cultural history
  
• Desire for a collaborative work environment with Education Director and LandPaths staff
  
• Ability to manage multiple and shifting variables (weather, timing, schedule changes)
  
• Strong communication and organizational skills, including computer proficiency
  
• Bilingual skills desired
  
• Capacity to pull together above skills while maintaining a sense of humor

Questions for Applicants: Please describe:

1. Your teaching experience (areas of expertise, teaching styles, teaching outdoors, discipline philosophy).
   
2. Your administrative skills (including familiarity with computers, working in partnerships with other organizations, working as a team member).
   
3. Your outdoor experience (outdoor skills, group management skills, first aid training, etc.).
   
4. Your passion (what energizes & sustains your commitment to community?).
   
5. What you, as an educator, hope to accomplish in the next 3-5 years (where are you going in your career)?
   
6. As a potential member of the LandPaths team, is there anything you would like to add?

Compensation: Salary commensurate with experience. Position is approximately 30-40 hrs. per week; competitive benefit package.
Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, Vacation, Training
Description of Benefits: Benefits prorated if PT position is desired
Housing & Meals: Not Provided

Deadline for Application: Monday April 14, 2008 priority deadline, open until filled afterwards
Start Date / Job Period: August 2008 /School year or Year round

Application Procedure: Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume and answers to the above questions, post-dated by Monday, April 14, 2008 to: LandPaths-Assistant Education Director Position, P.O. Box 4648, Santa Rosa, CA 95402-4648. Email and faxed submissions will not be accepted.

Contact: Bree Benton, Education Director
Address: PO Box 4648 Santa Rosa, Ca 95402-4648
Phone: 707.544.7284 ext.13
e-mail: education@landpaths.org
Website: www.landpaths.org