Science Educator

Chewonki Foundation is seeking a Science Educator to join the Traveling Natural History team! If you’re enthusiastic about carrying out Chewonki’s mission through fun, engaging, and impactful educational experiences for people of all ages; particularly children, this is the perfect opportunity!

• Location: Wiscasset, Maine (On Campus, in-person)
• Reports to: Director of Traveling Natural History Programs
• Permanent/Temporary: Permanent
• Schedule:  Full Time (including some weekends and evenings)
• Salary: $40,000 – $42,000/Annually depending on experience
• Benefits: Health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, 403B retirement plan, access to professional development funds, and open invitation to join lunch when on campus.
• Application Deadline: September 16, 2024

What is the Traveling Natural History Program?

Chewonki’s Traveling Natural History Program is an education program that brings the wonders of nature right to its participants. With captivating outreach lessons, live animals, and hands-on activities, we ignite curiosity and inspire learning all year round in our surrounding communities. On campus, we’re stewards to an incredible array of resident animals, from raptors to reptiles, mammals, and more! These charismatic creatures, specially trained for teaching, receive top-notch care and attention daily, ensuring they’re always ready to dazzle in educational settings. Off campus, we serve communities throughout Maine, and sometimes even venture into New Hampshire and Massachusetts, providing one-hour lessons to schools, libraries, community organizations, and resorts. Each year we teach over 800 presentations to approximately 20,000 participants. 

Key Duties: 

Caring for resident animals 

• Responsible for learning each animal’s daily feeding and care routine, understanding and practicing safe animal handling techniques.
• Demonstrating best practices in teaching with live animals.
• Routine health checks of resident wildlife and training of new animals.
• Rotating through weekend and holiday feeding duties with coworkers.

Teaching natural history lessons 

• Learn and teach all current TNHP topics for participants, aged PreK – adults, in a variety of teaching settings.
• Stay abreast of current and relevant wildlife topics in order to deliver engaging presentations and provide the best care for our animal ambassadors.
• Collaborate with peers to ensure that program delivery and supporting activities continuously evolve in a manner that maximizes opportunities for increased mission impact.
• Assist with the development of new curriculum.
• Teach occasional weekend programs.

Cross-programmatic activities

• Play an essential role in supporting program goals and participant experiences for other Chewonki programs by providing Traveling Natural History Programs and resources (i.e. Maine Coast Semester, Camp Chewonki, and Outdoor Classroom).
• Work closely with our adult and youth volunteers.

QUALIFICATIONS

• An undergraduate degree preferably of natural science fields (biology, wildlife ecology, etc) or education.
• Comfort in public speaking.
• Comfort in working with animals in captivity (raptor experience preferred).
• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with different kinds of people.
• Flexibility, organization, and attention to detail.
• Ability to represent Chewonki in a professional manner.
• Experience using, or ability to quickly learn Google Suite.
• Rabies pre-exposure prophylaxis (or commitment to obtain within the first 3 months of hire).
• CPR and First Aid Certification (or commitment to obtain within the first 6 months of hire).
• Must pass a Criminal Background Check including Motor Vehicle Record.
• Valid Driver’s License approved by Chewonki’s insurance carrier.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be able to list 40 lbs at a time.
• Ability to drive long distances (individually or as a team) up to 5 hours; one-way.
• Must be able to travel within the State of Maine.