Educational Media Specialist (NPS, Yosemite National Park, Yosemite Conservancy)

The Research Associate Program at GBI, in cooperation with NPS at Yosemite National Park is recruiting one (1) Educational Media Specialist to support the park’s Education and Community Engagement branch. The Educational Media Specialist will play a key role in supporting multiple media creation to build a teaching toolkit for educators. Building on the popularity of Yosemite Nature Notes, the position will make short educational videos that are specifically geared towards 4th-6th grade students. With support from the education team, each video will implement effective teaching strategies supplemented by standards-based curriculum and activities in a virtual toolkit for educators. These videos will provide asynchronous content for educators, accessible material for student researchers, and provide families with another entry point for their children. These videos will be available online through our website, and also shared through our educators’ network, local schools, and social media.

This position is ideal for someone who is highly organized, detail-oriented, proactive, and able to manage multiple projects, timelines, and communication efforts simultaneously. The position will work closely with the Education and Community Engagement Branch and with various subject matter experts across the park. As an essential member of the education team, the position will also support educational programs for students in the park on occasion.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Create short, developmentally appropriate educational videos and clips to virtually teach and inspire future stewards from all over the world;
• Create short and long form videos that are engaging, relevant, and age appropriate to elementary school students;
• Edit short videos to publish on park website and social media;
• Support the Education team in creating supplemental lessons and activities for each educational media;
• Support the Education and Community Engagement Branch initiatives year-round, such as 4th grade field trips, Yosemite Leadership Program Summer Internship, and other branch programs;
• Assist in writing grant reports to secure funding and ensure the sustainability of programs; and
• Flexibility to work some weekends, including overnights, as required.

Timeline:

• August 2026 – August 2027, 52 weeks;
• Full time (40 hours/week); and
• Schedule: Monday to Friday with some weekend work for special events, typically 8 hours a day.

Location:

The position will primarily be based out of the Yosemite Valley office, with occasional work at the Mariposa office. Yosemite National Park is world-renowned for its giant granite walls, waterfalls, sequoias, beautiful meadows and snow-capped mountains. The park encompasses nearly 750,000 acres of the central Sierra Nevada Mountains in California and is 94% designated wilderness. The elevation ranges from just under 2,000’ to just over 13,000’, and many ecosystems can be found within, including foothill chaparral, oak woodland, mixed conifer forest, subalpine meadows, and alpine fell fields. The park hosts over 1,500 plant taxa and many animals, including special status, threatened, and endangered species. Yosemite is one of the most sought after climbing and hiking destinations in the world. Many additional recreational opportunities abound including botanizing, birding, fishing, swimming, and skiing.

Compensation and Benefits:

Compensation: $25.50 hourly;

Benefits:

• Company-paid comprehensive medical, dental (with option to upgrade in coverage), and vision insurance;
• $25,000 Basic Life & AD&D insurance at no cost;
• Competitive PTO accrual and paid holidays;
• Eligible for 401(k) retirement savings with up to 4% GBI match;
• Access to Pro Deals; and
• Training allowance.

Housing: Will be provided to the selected participant at additional costs. Housing will be located in the government housing community of El Portal, a 30-minute commute to Yosemite Valley. There is mix of various types of housing (shared dormitory, private room, shared house, ect.) Exact housing type will be determined after hiring paperwork has been submitted. 

Uniform package eligible

Qualifications:

Required:

• Successful applicants must complete a Department of the Interior (DOI) Background Investigation (BI) or provide documentation to National Park Service (NPS) human resources confirming that an active and fully adjudicated BI has already been completed prior to commencing the position. Please indicate this in your application;
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as education, park management, film studies, outdoor recreation, or natural resources;
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with partners, the public, coworkers, and employees, responding professionally and courteously to inquiries;
• Capacity to provide and receive constructive feedback that fosters collaboration and personal growth;
• Ability to work in both outdoor and indoor environments;
• Proven capability to achieve program goals with limited or no direct supervision;
• Possession of a clean, valid state-issued driver’s license; and
• Strong leadership skills with experience in mentoring, complemented by excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Preferred:

• Experience in creating short and long form educational videos, including but not limited to: filming, script writing, video editing, graphic design;
• Experience with Yosemite Nature Notes and Yosemite education curriculum;
• Experience with educational programming in outdoor or park settings;
• Knowledge of the Yosemite ecosystem, geology, natural resources, and cultural history;
• Knowledge of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS); and
• Bilingual proficiency is a plus.

Physical Demands:

The role includes outdoor work within Yosemite National Park, which exposes the incumbent to varied environmental conditions. Physical activity is required, including walking, standing, and possibly carrying equipment while engaging with the public and community programs. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands, stand, walk, bend, and have specific vision abilities to include close and distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.