Job Description

Reporting to the Senior Director of Education, the Nature Education Manager will be responsible for the development of a new 5^th grade outdoor education curriculum in Balboa Park as well as student resources and teacher training.

The position will collaborate with the Education Departmental staff to lead the management, development, coordination, and evaluation of youth, adult and family-focused outdoor, nature-based programming and resources offered by The San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat). The position will support the development of outdoor interpretive activities and train staff and volunteer personnel on conducting engaging, nature-based programming outside at Balboa Park, at The Nat’s outdoor spaces/interpretive garden or in the field.

This role works collaboratively with the Education Department, Exhibits Department and Volunteer Department to encourage lifelong learning and environmental stewardship.

• Develop and facilitate outdoor/nature-based curriculum for K-12 students, including:
  • Design, test and develop a flagship outdoor education field trip program and accompanying resources for 5^th grade students that takes place in Balboa Park and around the outdoor spaces of The Nat.
  • Establish an outdoor education advisory committee comprised of internal and external community stakeholders.
  • Work with the Senior Manager of Education and Education staff to update other grade-level field trips, School-in-the-Park and camp programs to incorporate outdoor/nature-based learning experiences.
  • Lead formative and summative evaluation of 5^th grade nature-based school-based program, acting as lead on developing Requests-for-Proposal (RFP) and selecting evaluators and overseeing project management. 
  • Develop and implement regular evaluations and assessments of all nature-based programs, including data collection, analysis, and reporting.
  • Work with Volunteer Department staff and volunteers to plan for interpretive opportunities for volunteers amongst the outdoor spaces of The Nat; review and update Outdoor Access Fund student programming; and facilitate school-based Canyoneer training. 
  • Work with Community Engagement Manager to plan for community science training, and resources for 5^th grade outdoor education and the interpretive garden.
  • Work with Public Programs Manager to identify nature-based programming for adults. Support the development and facilitation of public-focused outdoor workshops and field trips.
  • Develop informal, nature-based programming for Park and Museum visitors.
  • Stay current on national trends in nature-based education, curricula and current learning theories and practice.

• Teach youth and adult nature-based programs with a focus on experiential and inquiry-based learning experiences.
• Work with Senior Manager of Education to hire, train, schedule and supervise part-time educators to lead nature-based programs.
• Support Exhibits and Volunteer staff in monitoring and maintaining outdoor garden spaces.
• Develop annual budget and calendar of planned nature-based programs and action items.
• Track budgets of all Nature Education projects to ensure they are meeting targeted benchmarks.
• Submit reports in a timely fashion for all funded activities.
• Maintain and analyze participant records for all programs.
• Work with the Education and Communications Departments to create, gather, and update website content/printed materials related to nature-based education programs.
• Work with Institutional Advancement to develop proposals and reports for funding, including grants, foundation and sponsorship materials for all programs.
• Assist with Education and Volunteer Departments at events on and off campus.
• Attend Museum All Staff meetings and Education department meetings; represent The Nat at nature-based collaboratives and with partnerships.
• Additional responsibilities as assigned.

• Experience designing and leading nature-based and/or informal education programming.
• Working knowledge of regional natural history and associated categories (e.g. entomology, botany, ornithology etc.).
• Experience developing and evaluating education programs.
• Safety and risk minded.
• Highly organized and detail oriented with strong administrative skills.
• Skilled in MS Word, MS PowerPoint, Windows, Excel, MS Teams and Zoom.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.  Must have the ability to compose clear and concise correspondence regarding the relevant subject matter.
• Experience developing new programs and protocols.
• Experience planning, overseeing and reporting on sizeable budgets.

• Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of two or more years’ experience developing and leading informal education curriculum. In addition, two years of experience supervising and training volunteers/staff is highly preferred.
• OR four years or equivalent experience developing and leading informal education curriculum. In addition, two years of experience supervising and training volunteers/staff is highly preferred.
• Experience working successfully with a wide range of ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds.
• A background in education and/or science background is desirable.
• Bi-lingual and/or ability to speak and write in Spanish is desirable.
• CPR/First Aid Certified (or willingness to obtain within first three months of position).

In compliance with the San Diego Natural History Museum’s mandatory vaccination policy, the Museum requires proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Accommodations based on medical and religious exemptions will be considered.

• Standard office environment with frequent work throughout the Museum’s facilities and outdoor spaces
• Frequent sitting, standing, walking, bending with occasional lifting of light loads (10 lbs)
• Able to work, stand and walk for prolonged periods of time in outdoor environments that may have uneven terrain, incremental weather conditions and exposure to hazards including plants and animals.
• Significant telephone and computer work (repetitive movement – typing)

This is a 2.5-year grant funded position (Full-time, Non-exempt). Additional weekends, evenings and holidays may be required.

This position is required to be on-site but may be able to work remotely one day per week upon approval by the Senior Director of Education. This policy is subject to change at the discretion of the Director and the Museum.

Salary Range: The starting salary for this position is $23.00/hr.

This is a full-time, temporary, non-exempt position with benefits such as health insurance, vacation, 15 paid holidays, free admission into all of Balboa Park’s museums as well as free admission to the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park.

How to Apply

Job Types: Temporary. Salaries: 40,000 - 60,000.

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