School Based Education Coordinator

Reports To: Program Manager 

Location: ELK Office, 12680 Albrook Dr. Denver, CO 80239  

Status: Full-time, exempt 

Compensation: This is a full-time position with a salary of $55,000 plus benefits described below.  

The School Based Education Coordinator is responsible for the development and implementation of ELK’s School-Based programming in classrooms throughout the Denver Metro area. This position is directly related to ELK’s core mission of cultivating a passion for science, leadership, and service in a diverse community of learners. This person must have a genuine interest in the growth, development, and provision of a safe, nurturing, and fun environment for the students they teach.  Specifically, this position creates equitable access to environmental education, STEM learning, and social-emotional skills. This position is responsible for creating and facilitating hands-on, outdoor environmental education and in-classroom programming, in collaboration with our school partnerships. This position works directly and collaboratively with fellow Education Coordinators to provide programming and support for our year-round youth and families. This role directly serves ELK’s core mission of cultivating a diverse community of leaders and environmental stewards by increasing outdoor equity. This position is Monday – Friday and requires some evening and weekend work responsibilities. 

Major Duties and Responsibilities 

Programs –95% of employee’s time (95% Programs; 5% Admin) 

• Instructor and lead for all school-based programming both off-site at local schools and on-site at the ELK Education Center/Montbello Open Space Park. 
• Responsible for establishing and maintaining partnerships with schools within Denver, Adams, and Arapahoe County.  
• Coordinates and serves as the main point of contact with school staff, teachers, community organizations, and/or after-school programs and leads scheduling/calendar of programming.   
• Responsible for creating, planning, and implementing lessons; ELK lessons are both standalone and series-based. 
• Supports the development of school-based program skills for Student Coordinators, Urban Rangers, and/ or other ELK staff.  
• Responsible for preparing an engaging, inclusive, and creative learning environment, establishing a positive rapport with members and co-workers 
• Preparing program materials and supplies. 
• Responsible for student recruitment and retention for school-based programs through community outreach events and other recruiting activities as needed (including school assembly programs, teacher/administrator meetings, parent/student orientation meetings, and training workshops). 
• Responsible for direct management of school field trips; this includes orientation, and registration of new students and/or families into ELK, and management of all participant files – ensuring complete paperwork on file for each participant. 
• Supports and tracks student recruitment into ELK’s year-round programs through way of school-based programs.   
• Supports and tracks student feedback from ELK’s School-Based programs through surveys and evaluation tools, with assistance from the Program Manager.   
• Responsible for direct management of summer camp program partnerships including agreements, scholarship allocations, parent communication, transportation, and all related paperwork. 
• Maintains and develops active partnerships that can support school programs (field trips, guest speakers, etc.); some of these organizations have included Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Trout Unlimited, Trust for Public Land, The Parks People, and Groundwork Denver. 
• Maintains and tracks monthly School-Based participant numbers. 
• Leads yearly School-Based program goal setting based upon historical and current data, in conjunction with Program Manager. 
• Responsible for oversight of all Tree Coalition programming for K-2 at McGlone Elementary and stewardship during the school year. 
• In conjunction with the Volunteer Coordinator, responsible for the care and tracking of Trout in the Classroom ecosystem. 
• Responsible for activating Montbello Open Space Park in an educationally meaningful manner with our partner schools. 
• Responsible for building genuine relationships with youth and their families. 
• Supports ELK year-round programs for ages 5-25 years old, including Denver Youth Naturally (DYN), Youth in Natural Resources (YNR), Learning Environmental Activities for Families (LEAF) and Urban Rangers. Programs happen both on-site and at locations throughout Denver often on days off school, after-school and weekends.  
• Contributes to a positive, productive workplace through open communication, problem solving, sense of humor, and dedication to achieving ELK’s goals and mission.  

Other duties as assigned. 

• Assists in efforts to obtain long term funding for programs. This includes helping generate and marketing earned income activities and helping prepare grants, community outreach, and partnership development.   
• Assists in the completion of marketing and reporting materials, maintaining digital photo library and narratives from participants about programs, and contributes to the ELK website, newsletter, and social media sites. 
• Builds and fosters strategic partnerships, community outreach/marketing, and distribution of information about ELK and our programs to schools, associations, nonprofits, government agencies, and the general public through publications, presentations, and public speaking engagements. 
• Participates at some level, in organizational priorities including helping in certain fundraising efforts, taking part in, and leading some administrative and operational processes, and committing to our organizational efforts around equity & inclusivity.  
• Performs other duties as assigned. 

Required Qualifications 

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education, Education, Environmental Science, Natural Resources, Zoology, Wildlife/Aquatic Biology, Nature Resource Management, or equivalent science-based degree or candidates with 2-3 years equivalent programmatic job experience are encouraged to apply.  

• 2-3 years of environmental or science education and/or related experience or training 
• Experience building genuine relationships with racially diverse, multicultural, youth and families. 
• Previous work experience working with youth ages 5-14 years old.  
• Experience delivering informal or formal education programs through in-school, after-school, environmental education, or summer camp programs.  
• Experience developing curriculum.  
• Enjoys working on a team and develops relationships with coworkers, Board, volunteers, and key stakeholders.  
• Interest in outdoor experience programs, field-based projects, and/or camping. 
• Strong commitment to the values of Justice, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. 

Other Requirements: CBI/FBI Background check required.  Must be able to work outdoors in all weather conditions for extended periods of time. Valid driver’s license and clean driving record required. 

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Bilingual in Spanish and English. 
• Experience instructing outdoor recreation in urban and/or wilderness settings. 
• Understanding and experience with creating curriculum in alignment with state academic standards. 
• Interest in outdoor education programs, field-based environmental projects, and camping. 
• The ability to be flexible, adaptable, to learn quickly, and function effectively in fast-paced and time-sensitive environment. 
• Experience with trauma-informed educational practices, mental health first aid, culturally responsive social-emotional practices, and non-violent communication practices. 
• Experience and familiarity with Denver, Adams, and Arapahoe school districts. 
• Excellent presentation and communication (written and oral) skills to effectively communicate with diverse audiences; ability to proficiently read, write, and converse in Spanish is a plus. 
• Must be able to proficiently use Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. 
• High level of professionalism, discretion, and commitment to maintaining confidentiality. 

Benefits 

• Subsidized Medical, Dental, Vision insurance for the employee.  
• Optional participation in Flexible Spending Account.  
• Optional participation in group retirement plan with discretionary match.  
• Generous Vacation, Sick, and Personal leave.  
• Cellphone stipend.  
• Professional Development opportunities.