Director of Education

The Director of Education (DoE) is the education lead for Stokes Nature Center. The DoE works to ensure a high quality, industry standard, up-to-date approach to all education programs, both formal and non-formal. It is the responsibility of the DoE to understand the field of outdoor learning and environmental education best practices. The DoE is responsible for the leadership and management of the organization’s education staff and programming. The DoE reports to the Executive Director and serves on the Stokes Nature Center leadership team. This is a permanent, full-time position.

Departmental and Organizational Administration

Develop and oversee Stokes Nature Center’s core education framework, which guides and informs the organization’s pedagogical approach, best practices, professional

development, and the education department’s performance management.

Serve as a resident expert in theory, research, and practice of environmental education, including topics such as inquiry-based learning, diversity and equity, and how to create scientifically and environmentally literate students.
Create, manage, and monitor annual program budgets to ensure stable financial positions for education department programs and participate in budget development as a part of the Stokes Nature Center leadership team.
Assist Executive Director in creation of organizational budget, specifically for the education department.
Collaborate with the Executive Director on the development of new revenue generating strategies and program models.
Oversee content on the Stokes Nature Center website.
Write and send The Birdcall monthly newsletter.
Attend and present at Board meetings as needed.
Recruit, hire, administer, and manage Education department staff and interns, including yearly summer camp instructors as needed.
Update and train education staff on organizational policies and practices.
Manage specimen collection at Nature Center, including obtaining and managing all pertinent state and federal permits.
Oversee risk management protocols and policies for all programs.

Program Development and Management

Ensure that Stokes Nature Center’s curriculum design and implementation are explicitly aligned to Stokes Nature Center’s core educational framework, and strategic priorities, as well as to Utah State Standards.
Oversee the development of Stokes Nature Center’s curricula, ensuring that all lessons represent best practices in nature education.
Supervise any internal and external curriculum working groups or development.
Teach/lead programs as necessary.

Special Projects

Teach certificate, undergraduate, and graduate courses at Utah State University as a representative of Stokes Nature Center as needed.
Work closely with the Development Committee and Executive Director to plan Special Events.
Other special projects as assigned, including capital improvement projects and fundraising/development as needed.

Professional Development

Oversee Stokes Nature Center’s education department’s professional development program and annually evaluate it in order to deepen and enrich its offerings and ensure that it’s engaging and provides all department members what they need to be successful.
Lead strategic and innovative education initiatives to expand Stokes Nature Center’s role as a regional leader in environmental education

Partnerships

Represent Stokes Nature Center and take an active leadership role among select local and regional committees, conferences and professional associations.
Lead the ongoing development and strengthening of partnerships with similar organizations, schools, and community organizations and seek opportunities to develop new ones.
Act as education liaison for Utah State University, Natural History Museum of Utah, United States Department of Fish and Game, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, United States Forest Service, Utah Master Naturalist, Northern Utah Nature Center Alliance, Association of Nature Center Administrators, Communities that Care, and Utah Society of Environmental Education, among others.
Coordinate with Eagle Scout candidates and other volunteer organizations on projects supporting mission and facilities.
Coordinate and work with USU faculty in utilizing Stokes Nature Center as an outpost for research, data capture, and as an education and outreach outlet.

Operations Development

Co-develop and oversee/manage multiple grant budgets.
Work as lead for education related data capture, analysis, and reporting for general and specific grant requirements and applications.
Assist Executive Director in grant writing and reporting.

Qualifications

Master’s degree in education or science-related fields is preferred.
5-7 years of experience in environmental education, nonprofit management, and program coordination.
Demonstrated leadership, vision, and follow-through.
Extensive experience teaching children, adults, and professional educators.
Significant experience managing multiple projects.
Proven communication and coaching/mentoring skills.
Exemplary budget and project management skills.
Experience developing programs, trainings, and curricula.
Exceptional writing, editing, and public speaking skills.
Strong pedagogical foundations in experiential and non-formal learning.

Benefits

Starting salary of $48,000.
Robust professional development opportunities.
Extensive discounts with outdoor companies and Stokes Nature Center programs.
Matched simple IRA retirement plan.
Health insurance and cell phone stipends.
Paid time off and holidays.
Flexible work hours and locations.

Stokes Nature Center

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Director of Education