Education Programs Manager

POSITION DESCRIPTION:
The Education Programs Manager leads IERCD’s Education Department which includes five current full time positions.  The Education Programs Manager is responsible for ensuring a strategic and comprehensive approach to the facilitation of IERCD’s suite of all-ages conservation education programming and outreach.  These responsibilities include but are not limited to management of Department staff; development and management of project-specific and overall Department budgets; grant research, acquisition, and management; support for staff facilitation of remote and in-person education programming across the District’s service area including the Louis Robidoux Parkland and Pecan Grove (LRPPG); regular evaluation of program impact and costs; and partnership development.

ABOUT THE IERCD: 
The Inland Empire Resource Conservation District (IERCD) is a local public agency, headquartered in the City of Redlands and providing conservation, wildland restoration, sustainable agriculture, forestry and fire prevention, and education programming to residents in southwestern San Bernardino and northwestern Riverside counties. Governed by a seven-member board of directors appointed by the County of San Bernardino Board of Supervisors in coordination with the Riverside County Board of Supervisors, the IERCD covers nearly 1,300 square miles of service area within which a range of biological features and cultural landmarks exist. Thirty biological, educational, project management, and administrative staff work to carry out the District’s vision, both through IERCD-focused projects and in collaborating with a variety of federal, state, and local partners and individuals.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Leads IERCD Education Department staff; areas of focus include staff mentoring and coordination; management of department workflow; and remediation of performance issues. Works with IERCD Admin staff to create and maintain annual Education Department budget, including development of diversified revenue sources supporting staff and activities from fee-for-service and grant contracts.
• Advances existing and develops new strategic partnerships that further goals of IERCD’s effective conservation education facilitation and resident benefit.
• Works with leadership staff in the education department to identify opportunities for grant application and acquisition.
• Works with Department staff to design and effectively facilitate IERCD’s suite of in-person youth and adult education programs throughout the District’s service area.
• Creates and facilitates regular qualitative and quantitative program evaluation informing approach and execution of community conservation education.
• Manages IERCD’s outreach including the Community Engagement Specialist position’s outreach activities and strategies to connect with the surrounding community including assessment, refinement, and staff coaching.
• Oversees IERCD Education Department content contribution to IERCD annual reports, Water Conservation program reports, District website, and any other reports as necessary.
• Represents IERCD at environmental education or other meetings as needed, along with other Department members.
• Performs other job-related duties as directed by supervisor.

KEY CAPACITIES:

• Highly motivated, organized, and self-directing with the ability to prioritize workload and meet deadlines.
• Ability to lead collaboration on the planning and approach to a complex project, then ensure work is delegated and successfully completed.
• Excellent writer and clear communicator with ability to maintain positive relationships with staff, peers, and partners.
• Must maintain a professional approach to project work characterized by flexibility, positivity, and openness to feedback.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

• Knowledge of or willingness/ability to quickly train on budget creation and tracking, and in grant research, acquisition, and management.
• Experience in design and facilitation of collaboration with existing and new partner organizations.
• Some experience working in youth and adult conservation education settings, ideally within multiple natural resources topics, and particularly within disadvantaged communities.
• Experience in supervising in a professional setting through employee performance observation, employee performance feedback, conduction of training sessions, and completion of annual review documentation.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; ability to work effectively with area educators, community members, and external partners.
• Possession of a current California Driver’s License and auto insurance, as well as reliable transportation.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in related field AND 3+ years of experience in managing a staff of multiple full-time employees. Significant experience in conservation education is desired but not required for this position, as the Manager focuses more on program facilitation and refinement rather than design.
• Alternatively, at least 5 years of managing employees, ideally in educational settings.

If you do not meet the above qualifications but believe you are well suited to this position, we encourage you to apply and include your reasoning in your cover letter. 

COMPENSATION: The position of Education Programs Manager is an exempt position.  The salary for this position will depend on experience, within a range of $86,940 – $105,180 in annual compensation.

BENEFITS: Full time IERCD employees receive a health insurance stipend of $940/month to cover insurance expenses and are enrolled in the CalPERS State Retirement Program, which includes closely matching contributions from the District. The benefit package also includes a $50 monthly phone stipend, $300 monthly mileage stipend for eligible employees, 13 paid holidays, sick leave, and paid vacation after a 6-month probationary period. Field employees receive a personal protective equipment annual allowance. IERCD also offers flexible work scheduling and remote work options within limits of job needs and requirements.  

LOCATION: The IERCD is headquartered in Redlands, CA. Work hours are generally Monday-Thursday 7:00am – 5:30pm for a 4/10 schedule, but other schedules can be accommodated.