eeCorps Education Programs Assistant – Dinosaur Ridge

Program Overview: Led by the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education (CAEE), the Environmental Education Corps (eeCorps) AmeriCorps Program places AmeriCorps members at organizations throughout Colorado to focus on increasing environmental literacy for PreK-12 students and implementing the goals outlined in the Colorado Environmental Education Plan. eeCorps works directly with teachers, schools, and environmental education providers to support them in expanding reach and increasing impact of EE programming, while providing access to equitable learning experiences for all PreK-12 students. AmeriCorps members serving with the eeCorps provide direct service to improve outcomes in Environmental Stewardship and Education. AmeriCorps provides opportunities to improve lives and foster civic engagement all across the country.

Service Site Overview: This position will be located at Dinosaur Ridge in Morrison, CO. Dinosaur Ridge educates and inspires wonder in visitors of all backgrounds about the science and history of the fossils and natural resources found at Dinosaur Ridge, Triceratops Trail, and related paleontology sites. We also practice and educate about responsible stewardship of these resources.

Service Position Summary: The Education Programs Assistant will assist with developing new camp lesson plans and education programs, enhance and lead existing school and camp education programs to maximize their impact and reach.

Essential Functions (Primary Responsibilities):

eeCorps members engage with their Host Site organizations to develop, implement, and enhance programs, projects, and activities that will create progress towards eeCorps’ and Dinosaur Ridge’s goals. These duties include:

• Assist with leading and updating current outdoor and environmental education programs to expand our reach to schools and students
• Develop new environment and climate-based activities and programs for our summer camp lesson plans
• Develop new daily themes and activities for our Winter Break, MLK Day, Presidents Day, and Spring Break Camps
• Assist with leading environmental education and science activities for above camps
• Assist the Education, Camp, and Collections Manager to identify and contact organizations to fill summer camp scholarships
• Coordinate and schedule field trips and guest speakers for the summer camp season
• Develop an organization plan for camp supplies and equipment
• Track progress and collect evaluation data for the program’s performance measures
• Attend all required eeCorps/AmeriCorps orientations, meetings, and trainings
• Complete and submit all necessary eeCorps paperwork and reports by predetermined deadlines
• Some local travel required and occasional statewide travel possible

Marginal Functions (Secondary Responsibilities):

• Assist with implementing assessment/evaluation of all programs
• Assist with special events such as Girl Scout Day
• Attend Education Staff meetings and trainings

Physical, Emotional, and Intellectual Demands:

• Ability to lead education programs on outdoor paved and gravel trails up to 3 miles in length and in other outdoor settings for up to 4 hours in variable weather conditions
• Able to carry/lift bins filled with rocks, fossils and other program supplies (max 30 lbs); assistance is available if this is a concern
• Commitment to equity and inclusivity in education
• “People person” willing to engage with children, families, and adults

Qualifications:

• Age 18+ required, age 21+ preferred
• 2-year Associates degree or 4-year Bachelors’ degree in science or education preferred; coursework in geology, paleontology and earth science is a bonus.
• Proficiency in Spanish is preferred
• 1+ years of inquiry-based education program delivery experience with school & family audiences, preferably in an outdoor or non-profit setting
• Excellent public speaking skills
• Friendly and outgoing demeanor
• Organized and attentive to detail
• Team-oriented and consistently demonstrates positive values in work habits
• Ethic of national and community service and a strong desire to create positive change
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; computer literate
• Ability to pass criminal history checks required
• Reliable transportation and proof of auto insurance required
• U.S. Citizenship or lawful permanent resident status required

Term of Service: This is a three quarter-time national and community service position requiring a minimum of 1,200 hours during the year (approximately 35-40 hours/week). The position begins 9/3/24 and ends 4/30/25. Flexible hours are required, including occasional evening and weekend commitments.

Training and Support Provided: eeCorps members receive significant training and experience in community engagement, project implementation, leadership, diverse populations, and more. Up to 20% of total hours served may be spent in applicable approved training and professional development. Members will be supervised and supported by Amanda Rea, Dinosaur Ridge Education, Camp, and Collections Manager, as well as by Erin Dreps, eeCorps Program Coordinator. The 2024-25 cohort of eeCorps members serving throughout the region will act as additional resources and support for each other.

Location and Service Conditions: This position is based at Dinosaur Ridge, 16831 W. Alameda Parkway, Morrison, CO. Some service may also be performed at the Discovery Center at 17681 W. Alameda Parkway and Triceratops Trail in Golden, CO.  There may be occasional service offsite at schools or education outreach locations.

Benefits:

• Biweekly (two times per month) living allowance of $918.75. Taxes are deducted and the living allowance is distributed by direct deposit to the member’s bank account.
• 30% discount in Dinosaur Ridge gift shop
• An education award of $5,176.50 upon successful completion of term of service.
• It is possible to defer student loans while serving as an AmeriCorps member.
• Mileage reimbursement for eeCorps-required travel and Dinosaur Ridge-required travel within the Denver Metro area.
• Non-tangible benefits including extensive training, valuable experience, networking, and the opportunity to serve the local community in a crucial area of need.
• Ability to participate in regional EE leadership councils; option to obtain CAEE’s nationally-recognized Professional Environmental Educator Certification.

Diversity and Equal Opportunity: Dinosaur Ridge is dedicated to the principles of equal opportunity. We prohibit unlawful discrimination against applicants on the basis of age 40 and over, race, sex, color, religion, national origin, disability, military status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable state or local law. This prohibition includes unlawful harassment based on any of these protected classes, as well as marital status, political affiliation, ancestry, and ethnicity. Unlawful harassment includes verbal or physical conduct which has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual’s work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment. This policy applies to all employees, including managers, supervisors, co-workers, and non-employees such as customers, volunteers, interns, clients, vendors, consultants, etc.

The Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education (CAEE) recognizes the value of diversity and inclusiveness to advance environmental education. CAEE defines diversity in its broadest sense and welcomes everyone to the field of environmental education and the Alliance, including but not limited to people of all races, ethnicities, genders, gender expressions, sexual orientations, abilities, ages, national origins, socioeconomic status, religious affiliations, languages, and heritages.

Position will be filled pending grant award.