Sonoma Ecology Center

Program Description: The Sonoma Ecology Center’s K-12 Watershed Education Program inspires the next generation to protect, preserve, and restore our environment through education in the Sonoma Valley. The Educator is the backbone of the program teaching, helping design, and assesses multi-day educational modules delivered to Sonoma Valley students. They work both in classrooms and in various field locations throughout the watershed. The Educator also helps design, administer, and lead summer and after-school programming. The K-12 Watershed Education Program seeks to serve all of the schools in Sonoma Valley, which include a diverse student population, many of whom speak Spanish as their first language.
Program Type: Non-Residential

Job Description: Essential duties and responsibilities Include:

• Deliver the Sonoma Ecology Center’s K-12 Watershed Education Program in English and Spanish to classes of elementary and middle school students primarily in grades, 2, 4, and 5
  
• Design, administer, deliver, and assess after-school and summer programming for the K-12 Watershed Education Program
  
• Lead groups in outdoor experiences which includes exhibiting excellent judgment related to safety and risk management
  
• Participate in curriculum planning and assessment
  
• Help translate program materials including student worksheets, permission slips, and fliers into Spanish
  
• Schedule and coordinate with teachers for the program
  
• Assist with grant writing and reporting
  
• Conduct outreach to teachers related to the program
  
• Document program activities including paper, photographic, and electronic files
  
• Track program time using electronic timesheet

Job Duration: Year Round
Job Status: Part-Time, Permanent

Qualifications:

Experience, competencies, and education:

• Knowledge of the Sonoma Valley community, geography, flora, fauna, history and/or gardening
  
• Mastery of effective teaching techniques and group management strategies
  
• Skills is using Word, Excel, Powerpoint, email and other computer programs essential for job functions
  
• 1-3 years experience in teaching or leading youth recreation programs
  
• Education to at least an associate’s degree in environmental studies, environmental science, outdoor recreation, biology, child psychology, or a related field
  
• Physically capable of demanding outdoor working conditions including bad weather and uneven terrain
  
• Good attendance and punctuality
  
• Shows initiative
  
• Must work well with program team
  
• Responds positively and quickly to feedback related to writing, program design, and program delivery
  
• Current CPR and Wilderness First Aid or willingness to acquire within 6 weeks of employment
  
• Willingness to try new tasks and ability to handle multiple assignments
  
• Follows instructions and keeps the Education Manager informed of issues and questions
  
• Thorough knowledge of SEC’s mission, vision, and activities, sufficient to communicate to teacher, parents, partners and students

Language skills:

• Fluent in written and spoken English and Spanish
• Contributes to project, program, and organization meetings
• Represents organization in a professional manner with teachers, students, interns, and community members, on the phone and in-person
• Able to write letters to teachers and support report production/grant
  

Salary: $17-$20/Hour
Benefits: Medical, Dental, Retirement, Vacation, Training
Housing & Meals: Not Provided
Deadline for Application: Open Until Filled
Start Date / Job Period: January 21, 2008
Application Procedure: Email the program manager to acquire the full job description and supplemental questionnaire.
Contact: Program Manager
Address: 20 East Spain Street Sonoma, CA 95476
Phone: 707-996-0712 ext 110
e-mail: sandi@sonomaecologycenter.org
Website: www.sonomaecologycenter.org