Education Program Director, Riverbend Environmental Education Center

Posted by on July 02, 2012

Education Program Director, Riverbend Environmental Education Center

Position: Education Program Director; Full-time
Title: Director, Philadelphia Children Access Nature
Salary: Competitive salary with benefits
Applications accepted until position is filled

Riverbend Environmental Education Center is located in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania and our mission is to  teach environmental principles to children in Southeastern Pennsylvania through a direct connection with nature, inspiring respect for our natural world and action as aware, responsible and caring citizens.

Director, Philadelphia Children Access Nature (Philadelphia CAN): This innovative K to Grade 5 environmental enrichment program will begin its third year of a 5-year pilot program at the Anna Blakiston Day School in the East Mt. Airy section of Philadelphia. This is an opportunity for a highly qualified individual to implement and direct Philadelphia CAN, a program that:
•    Supports student learning through integrated hands-on and outdoor environmental activities that are aligned with the School District of Philadelphia’s Science CORE Modules.
•    Supports teachers in their classroom and through professional development focusing on the Philadelphia CAN enrichment activities.
•    Connects schools with Philadelphia organizations that support environmental learning through field trips, professional development and classroom learning.
•    Engages the family and community in supplemental and service learning.

Qualified Candidates Possess:

•    BA/BS degree; preference given to candidates with a degree in environmental education or related field
§ Experience teaching in a classroom setting with preference given to candidates with familiarity working in urban, underserved communities with fewer educational resources
§ Experience teaching in non-formal educational settings
§ Excellent classroom management skills
§ Experience leading professional development for teachers
§ 3-5 years of experience
§ Comfortable with basic science content
§ Grant writing experience preferred
§ Self-starter, with demonstrated ability to take initiative, meet deadlines and deal with daily challenges
§ Excellent written and verbal communication skills
§ Patience
§ Professional interpersonal skills
§ Superior organization skills with ability to prioritize and multi-task
§ Dependable, with strong work ethic and personal integrity
§ Clear commitment to Riverbend’s mission and PCAN’s purpose

Specific Responsibilities Include:
1.    Implement the Philadelphia CAN curriculum in each K- grade 5 classrooms. Current curriculum is aligned and developed for two out of three science core modules per grade level.  Provide a combination of leadership, expertise and mentorship while implementing the program enrichment activities.
2.    Conduct professional development activities for teachers
3.    Organize and supervise Family Science Night, once annually
4.    Oversee and participate in all field trips
5.    Schedule all components of the program including in-class visits, field-trips, professional development activities, and family science night
6.    Provide support for community service learning project
7.    Communicate and meet as necessary with teachers and school administration
8.    Manage any classroom volunteers recruited to support the program
9.    Conduct program evaluations and provide written reports
10.    Grant writing to fund the replication of the program at additional schools
11.    Develop curriculum for the third science core module in each grade level
12.    Develop and manage partnerships with outside organizations that can offer program support

Additional Requirements:
1.    Must pass a child abuse clearance, criminal background screening and hold a valid driver’s license.
Interested candidates are asked to submit a cover letter, resume, and two professional references to:

Laurie Bachman, Executive Director
Riverbend Environmental Education Center
1950 Spring Mill Road
Gladwyne, PA  19085
lbachman@riverbendeec.org