Environmental Education Specialist

The Department of Conservation & Natural Resources is on the lookout for a qualified candidate to join their team as an Environmental Education Specialist. This role involves engaging in professional activities focused on creating and delivering educational programs related to environmental awareness, interpretation, and outdoor recreational activities at the Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center. If you are passionate about fostering a deeper understanding of our natural world, do not miss the chance to apply today!

In this role, you will be responsible for planning, developing, coordinating, and delivering educational programs focused on environmental and historical themes, as well as organizing outdoor recreational activities at the Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center. You will facilitate these educational initiatives through various methods, including hands-on discovery learning, audiovisual presentations, and workshops for educators, thereby enhancing the understanding of environmental and historical topics among diverse audiences. Additionally, you will support educational institutions, community organizations, and both public and private entities in the creation and execution of interpretive programs, teacher training sessions, and curriculum development efforts.

Your responsibilities will also include managing resource libraries to ensure access to relevant materials, as well as overseeing the Center's Volunteer Program by scheduling activities and maintaining accurate volunteer time records. You will coordinate the maintenance and repair of both environmental education and recreational equipment, along with the upkeep of indoor and outdoor educational facilities. Furthermore, you will facilitate environmental learning experiences by utilizing established lesson plans from various reputable sources, including the Bureau of State Parks and the U.S. Forest Service, among others. You will implement the Bureau of State Park's Watershed Education Program for local educators and students, while also preparing proposals for funding opportunities through the OPS Division, managing purchases, and coordinating invoice submissions. Lastly, you will schedule educational programs, prepare lesson plans in accordance with Bureau guidelines, and ensure timely submission of required reports on a daily basis.

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment
• Work hours vary: 37.50 hours/week - 7 day a week operation. Must be willing to work weekends,
  holidays, and all shifts as required by Park Management.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• A bachelor's degree in environmental education, education, the natural sciences, social sciences, or parks and recreation; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Conditions of Employment:

• Willingness to work weekends and evenings.
• Willingness to wear a prescribed uniform.

• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

• You must pass a background investigation.
• This position falls under the provisions of the Child Protective Services Law.
  • Under the Law, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports including, but not limited to, PA State Police clearance, PA Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI Fingerprint clearance.

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. *7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx and click the Veterans' Preference tab or contact us at ra-cs-vetpreference@pa.gov.

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.