Teacher Naturalist

$14/hr starting, based on experience. Part-time (30hrs/wk) temporary, with possibility of renewal.

About Montana Audubon Center:

The Montana Audubon Center lies in the heart of the 72,000 square mile Yellowstone River Basin and within minutes of the urban center of Billings. A partnership between the Yellowstone River Parks Association (YRPA), Yellowstone Valley Audubon Society (YVAS) and Montana Audubon has made the center possible. Initially launched in 1998, an all-volunteer effort has planted more than 65,000 trees and shrubs for habitat restoration, engaged dozens of schools and local businesses, and built community support for a year-round center. Today, Montana Audubon and its partners are prepared to build on this foundation and establish the Center as a regional hub for placed-based education, conservation/environmental research and monitoring, citizen science, and Yellowstone River Basin natural history. 

Position Description: 

Teacher Naturalists form the core of our program staff at the Montana Audubon Center. They are responsible for implementation of hands-on, experiential, nature-connected education and interpretive programs at our 54-acre site and adjacent Yellowstone River Corridor. Participant ages range from toddler to adult, with the bulk of our programming concentrated on elementary students. Teacher Naturalists must be comfortable leading groups of students in the outdoors and themselves have enthusiasm for connecting with, learning about, and protecting the natural world. 

Teacher Naturalists will be responsible for delivering a variety of programs. Montana Audubon’s Naturalist in the Schools  (ANTS) program is our flagship program that engages elementary students in the Billings area. ANTS curriculum integrates school standards and Indian Education For All content into our hands-on immersive learning style. Teacher Naturalists will also be responsible for teaching our Leadership Institute for Nature, Kids, and Stewardship (LINKS), afterschool, homeschool, and occasionally weekend programs. Teacher Naturalists leading programs are responsible for engaging and building curiosity for participants in their exploration, familiarization, and personal growth within our outdoor classroom. Frequent communication with teachers and program coordinators is also essential as is collaboratively working and learning with other teachers. 

Major Responsibilities: 

• Supervise, guide, and engage participants in the exploration of the outdoors.
• Provide a safe and positive environment for all program participants, including awareness of physical abilities, environmental hazards, and group dynamics.
• Maintain high-quality programming, including regular evaluation of both successes and failures in programming, approach, equipment, or other aspects, and enhance or adapt as necessary.
• Communicate with teachers, other Audubon staff, and the general public about Audubon Center programs and mission.
• Regularly communicate with the program coordinator(s) and supervisor.
• Assistance in other Audubon Center programming, administration, and facility is required.
• Complete office and other tasks in a timely manner
• Keep calendar up to date and manage workplace hours
• Attend MA and MAC staff meetings regularly

Qualifications: 

• Able to work independently and collaboratively as a team.
• Ability to stand, walk, and engage participants in outdoor programming in a variety of weather conditions for an extended amount of time.
• Ability to lift up to 30 pounds.
• Comfortable working with youth ages 2 – 16 as well as the general public.
• Preferred experience in Inquiry Learning, Reggio, Nature-based or Natural Interpretive programming or similar education pedagogies.
• Responsible, dependable, self-motivated and enthusiastic.
• Interest and/or specific knowledge of natural history subjects, particularly in the local area.
• Academic experience in topics such as biology, ecology, zoology, and education are preferred.