School Programs Manager

General Summary of Position:

The School Programs Manager is a full-time position that works within our Education Team to coordinate and facilitate educational programming related to school age learning. Specifically, this position is responsible for the coordination and facilitation of our Outdoor Homeschool Enrichment Program and our Field Trip programs.

Outdoor Homeschool Enrichment (OHE)

OHE provides experiential outdoor and environmental education for Kindergarten-6th grade students who are homeschooled. It gives homeschool students the opportunity to spend time outdoors in a group setting. The program lasts for 35 weeks during the school year, with roughly 48 K-6th students coming to Bluff Lake weekly (16 per day Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday). Daily class is held from 9am-3pm entirely outdoors. This program is a state authorized homeschool enrichment program, and the program works in coordination with ERBOCES as our State Authorizer.

Field Trips

Field Trips are led year-round with schools and partner organizations. During the school year, field trips are offered Tuesdays thru Fridays, with pre-visit outreach trips occurring on Mondays. Field Trip topics include water quality, habitats, biodiversity, and outdoor survival and field trips generally last 2-3 hours.A majority of Bluff Lake field trips are with elementary aged students, but can range from ECE-12th grade.

The responsibilities of the School Programs Manager include the following:

Program Coordination (45%)

• OHE:
• Work with ERBOCES to collect and maintain student information required for state funding
• Send monthly email updates to parents relating to student activities and program updates
• Attend monthly ERBOCES meetings
• Manage internal BLNC systems for program registrations
• Field Trips:
• Coordinate with teachers regarding field trip and outreach registration and logistics
• Coordinate with the Education Director ahead of time to ensure that available field trip dates will have enough staff if booked

Facilitation (20%)

• Facilitate Monday and Thursday full-day OHE Program
• Facilitate one-off and recurring Field Trips
• As needed, assist with the facilitation of other programs that support BLNC mission, vision, and values including but not limited to after school, summer camp, scout programs, family weekend and outreach booths, family events, and more
• Be prepared for physical activities such as hiking (up to 2 miles); wading in Sand Creek (the creek bed is rocky and can be slippery); managing varying weather conditions including snow, rain, and wind; carrying supplies with you in a backpack all day; filling and moving water jugs; and helping set up tables, chairs, and tents.

Curriculum Development and Program Evaluation (15%)

• Lead the development and implementation of the OHE and Field Trip curriculum
• Lead the development and implementation ofOHE and Field Trip program evaluation
• Develop necessary training materials and facilitation guides to assist volunteers and educators in facilitation
• As needed, assist with the development of additional curriculum that support BLNC mission, vision, and values including but not limited to after school, summer camp, scout programs, family weekend and outreach booths, family events, and more.

Administration & Budgeting (15%)

• Manage designated budget in coordination with Education Director and the rest of the Education Team
• Maintain accurate numbers reports for all school programs
• Maintain data entry in BLNC database for all program participants, partners, volunteers, attendees, in coordination with the Development Director
• Maintain organized education materials both onsite and in the office
• Participating in related staff activities including but not limited to trainings, public events, special programs, planning sessions, and staff meetings

Marketing and Communications (5%)

• Coordinate marketing efforts including social media, newsletters, paid advertising as necessary to spread awareness of BLNC programs
• Communicate program logistics with BLNC team through shared calendars, email updates, etc.

Qualifications

• Strong commitment to BLNC and its mission of making nature and environmental education more accessible and equitable
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in education, administration, wildlife biology or closely related field AND/OR professional experience in education, non-profits, or closely related field
• At least 2 combined years of experience in environmental education; program management, review, and development
• Strong organizational and communication skills with adults and children
• Background check and fingerprints submitted and cleared by the Colorado Department of Human Services (BLNC helps and pays for this)
• Team player, enthusiastic, organized, creative, critical thinker, and self-motivated
• Reliable transportation to Bluff Lake’s site and office
• Ability to work independently and on multiple projects
• Desire and ability to communicate clearly and positively, and cooperate well, with co-workers, volunteers, visitors, contractors, partners and others
• Ability to problem solve, show initiative, and make sound decisions needed to fulfill job duties and meet organizational objectives
• Basic computer skills such as Xcel, Word, and email. This position will use Google Drive, Salesforce, CampDoc, Alma, and Quickbooks, and will be trained in the systems. Prior experience with these systems is not required.
• Candidates who speak fluent Spanish will be given additional compensation, but it is not required