Environmental Educator - Community Programs

Title:Environmental Educator - Community Programs

Department: Programs and Interpretation

Position Reports to:Community Programs Manager

FLSA Status: Non- Exempt, Part Time

Hourly Rate: $16.00/hour

About Butterfly Pavilion: Here at Butterfly Pavilion, we transform the way people think about invertebrates. These small but mighty animals that surround us are so much more than people think. They are everywhere because everything depends on them. They are the hidden heroes of the animal kingdom. As the leader in invertebrate knowledge, inspiration and connection, Butterfly Pavilion works to foster an appreciation of these critical animals by educating the public about the need to protect and care for threatened habitats globally, while conducting research for solutions in invertebrate conservation. Whether it is providing unique, hands-on learning experiences in our exhibits and educational programs, conducting new research that sets the standard for zoos across the country or building innovative solutions for species and habitat conservation in countries around the world, Butterfly Pavilion is leading the way in ensuring invertebrates are protected for the future. 

Looking forward, we are committed to providing the most enriching experience for our audience, being recognized as a scientific authority, and being a leading educational resource for invertebrate animals. To this end, Butterfly Pavilion is in the early stages of launching a $55 million Capital Campaign to build a new Butterfly Pavilion in Broomfield, Colorado in a brand new, state-of-the-art facility in 2027.  

A large part of who we are as an organization is how we interact with each other.  Valuing our facility, guests, donors and our team is a priority, without these puzzle pieces we can't make it all work, these Core Values guide us throughout our day. We Love What We Do at Butterfly Pavilion, we Make Science Cool by Going Above and Beyond for all guests, donors, and team members while also Leading Change in invertebrate conservation.  We Know Our Stuff and work to have a healthy culture by Being Positive and Welcoming to All.  These aren't just words, but words for us to live by here at Butterfly Pavilion.

Position Summary: The Environmental Educator is responsible for leading programming, interpretation, and workshops both on-site at Butterfly Pavilion and offsite at scout meetings and community events.

Essential Functions:

• Interacting with Butterfly Pavilion guests as they visit all of our Community Programs.
• Facilitating play-based learning and providing educational information to guests of all ages.
• Facilitating birthday party programs and other private events.
• Being an ambassador at outreach booths in the community.
• Using live animals to demonstrate science-based concepts to guests.
• Conducting daily public programming and assisting in developing curriculum.
• Teaching engaging, interactive science education programs at the Butterfly Pavilion, scout meeting, booth/tabling events
• Using live animals to demonstrate science concepts
• Creating meaningful interaction between the exhibit and guests for a deeper and more thoughtful experience and to make connections between exhibit topic and daily life.
• Working alongside interpreters, interns and volunteers to provide high quality interpretation and complete project work to enhance the learning experiences.
• Responsible for specific exhibit expertise and dissemination of specific exhibit content as assigned.

Additional Duties:

• Attending required branch and facility meetings and stay up to date on all communications from within the organization
• Collaborating with staff, volunteers and interns to ensure optimal guest experience
• Collaborating with Community Programs coordinators to design, develop and implement new curricula or programs or redesign existing curricula and/or interpretative signs to meet needs of diverse audiences
• Provide administrative support to Community Programs staff

 Qualifications / Experience

Qualifications:

• Pursuing or holding a degree in interpretation, education, environmental sciences, hospitality, biology, or related fields
• Comfortable interacting with guests of all ages
• Excellent customer service and communication skills
• Enthusiastic, strong sense of fun, and patient
• Organized and flexible
• Clean driving record
• Able to pass background check

Preferred Qualifications:

• Multilingual
• Prior experiences providing instruction to learners with different needs
• Familiarity with NGSS and CAS
• Familiarity with NAI
• CPR and First Aid certified

Experience:

• 1-2 years' experience working in a non-formal education/museum/education setting
• Prior experience in a customer service-based role
• Prior experience working with individuals of different ages and abilities
• Prior experience working with intergenerational groups

Competencies:

• Build relationships
• Teamwork
• Detail-oriented
• Communication and Public Speaking skills
• Interpersonal Skills and Self Awareness
• Initiative and Innovation
• Time management
• Department Knowledge

Additional Requirements:

• Valid Driver's License
• Subject to yearly background check of driving record
• Proof of current automobile insurance with the following coverage: $100,000 bodily injury for each person, $300,000 for each accident, and $50,000 property damage liability.

Work Environment / Physical Requirements:

Work Environment

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moderate to loud environmental noise for extended periods of time.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the Environmental Educator.

Physical Demands

• These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions within this position. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the described essential functions of the Environmental Educator.
• While performing the responsibilities of the Environmental Educator, the employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is often required to sit and use their hands and fingers, to handle or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with arms and hands, climb or balance, and to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Vision abilities required by this job include close vision.
• Ability to lift, carry and load education materials into vehicle, not to exceed 50 lbs.

Work Schedule:

• Up to 28 hours/week, Saturday and Sunday required, and some nights required

How to Apply:

Butterfly Pavilion is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages people of all backgrounds to apply for open positions and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty or veteran status.

Applicants must submit a Resume and Cover Letter to the following link: https://butterflies.applicantpro.com/jobs/

Position is open until filled. No phone calls or drop ins please.