eeCorps Environmental Educator – Bluff Lake Nature Center

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 Bluff Lake Nature Center (BLNC) in Denver, CO. BLNC is a nonprofit agency that owns and manages a unique urban wildlife refuge and outdoor classroom in Denver. Through experiential and environmental education, environmental stewardship, and community engagement, BLNC is committed to educational equity and making nature accessible to all.

Service Position Summary: The Environmental Educator will serve together with the Education Team to participate in community outreach, assist with social media and marketing, and facilitate programs. These programs include field trips, the Outdoor Explorers homeschool enrichment program, a 10-week summer camp, after school programs, family programs, scout trips, and other partner events held year-round. There may be opportunities to help develop programs or curriculum.

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 BLNC’s goals. These duties include:

• Facilitate on-site and off-site programs. This includes field trips, the Outdoor Explorers homeschool enrichment program, summer camp, after school, family programs, scout trips, birthday parties, and partner events.
• Evaluate education programs using assessment data from students, teacher/student feedback, current best practices in pedagogy and science standards, as well as observations and first-hand teaching experience
• Assist staff with social media content creation and marketing efforts
• Support relationships with schools and community partners
• Serve with staff to review and develop curriculum and programs
• 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 in organization of paperwork and program supplies.
• Assist in keeping site facilities clean and updated.
• Assist in site volunteer days geared towards families and/or schools (weed removal, trash clean up, etc.)
• Attend special events

Physical, Emotional, and Intellectual Demands:

• Ability to work in outdoors in various weather conditions for up to 9 hours
• Ability to set-up and take-down pop-up tents, tables, and chairs; load and unload materials onto shelves; pull a supply wagon distances of up to 1 mile at a time
• Commitment to equity in education
• People person willing to engage with various stakeholders (students, teachers, parents, site visitors, volunteers, etc.)

Qualifications:

• Passionate about Bluff Lake Nature Center’s mission
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to multi-task
• Strong communication skills with adults and children
• Team player, enthusiastic, organized, creative, critical thinker, and self-motivated
• Desire/commitment to learn about Colorado flora and fauna
• 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
• High school diploma or GED required
• 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 full-time national and community service position requiring a minimum of 1,700 hours during the year (approximately 35-40 hours/week). The position begins 9/3/24 and ends 8/15/25. 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 Chira Noce, BLNC Education Director, 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 Bluff Lake Nature Center located at 11255 E. MLK Jr Blvd, Denver, CO 80238 (site) and 4760 Oakland St Suite 200, Denver, CO 80239 (office) with occasional programs at other nearby locations.

Benefits:

• Biweekly (two times per month) living allowance of $913.05. Taxes are deducted and the living allowance is distributed by direct deposit to the member’s bank account.
• $250/month housing stipend
• Health insurance
• Child care assistance, if eligible
• An education award of $7,395 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.
• 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: Bluff Lake Nature Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse workforce. Individuals from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply, including persons with disabilities and veterans. We believe people are positively impacted when nature is an accessible part of their lives. We acknowledge that human activity continues to disturb Colorado’s beautiful natural spaces and that the systemic marginalization of communities has created barriers that limit access to much of the outdoors. With that in mind, we offer programs that we hope are welcoming for everyone to enjoy. We use sustainable land management practices to ensure the natural value of the site exists long into the future. We hope that individuals are encouraged to create their own connections with nature, in all its forms.

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.