Education Manager

The National Audubon Society is a nonprofit conservation organization that protects birds and the places they need today and tomorrow. We work throughout the Americas towards a future where birds thrive because Audubon is a powerful, diverse, and ever-growing force for conservation. Audubon has more than 700 staff working across the hemisphere and more than 1.5 million active supporters.

North America has lost three billion birds since 1970, and more than 500 bird species are at risk of extinction across Latin America and the Caribbean. Birds act as early warning systems about the health of our environment, and they tell us that birds – and our planet – are in crisis. Together as one Audubon, we are working to alter the course of climate change and habitat loss, leading to healthier bird populations and reversing current trends in biodiversity loss. We do this by implementing on-the-ground conservation, partnering with local communities, influencing public and corporate policy, and building community.

Audubon is committed to a culture of workplace excellence, where our talented and diverse staff are deeply engaged with a strong sense of belonging. The birds Audubon pledges to protect differ in color, size, behavior, geographical preference, and countless other ways. By honoring and celebrating the equally remarkable diversity of the human species, Audubon brings new creativity, effectiveness, and leadership to our work throughout the hemisphere.

The Education Manager is responsible for all aspects of planning, developing, delivering, and managing all environmental education activities, programs, events, and promotion at Audubon’s Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. Tasks include staff recruitment, training, and management; education program, activity and event development/design, coordination, delivery, and oversight; communications and marketing; report writing and review; budget and statistics planning, tracking and management; coordination of educational exhibits and displays; and support of other conservation and education activities at the Sanctuary.

The Education Manager will also lead the implementation of Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary’s strategic education objectives and goals, as well as establish and launch new and innovative education program models. The Education Manager must be able to work well under pressure and manage a fast-paced schedule, be a skilled and effective communicator, and be able to effectively develop, plan and lead programs for ages two to adult, including school programs. Most work will take place at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, with occasional visits and meetings in other locations.

Compensation:

$52,000 - $60,000 / year

• Manage, oversee, and schedule all aspects of a comprehensive environmental and outdoor education program for diverse audiences of all ages (children, school and university groups, youth, families, adults, general public, donors, etc.), including use of booking and ticketing software.
• Along with frontline education staff and volunteers, design, lesson plan, develop and deliver high quality education programs and camps for all ages.
• Ensure all school programs meet or exceed statewide standards, local school district curriculum requirements, and Audubon guidelines/standards.
• Plan, oversee and deliver special events and activities.
• Regularly review and evaluate programs/events to obtain participant/leader feedback, assess program quality, and make continuous improvements.
• Manage recruitment, training, scheduling and supervision of education staff and volunteers, and ensure adherence to health and safety protocols.
• Establish new and innovative programs, revenue models, educational approaches, and best practices and expand client base.
• Develop new partnerships with city and state agencies, schools, colleges, universities, research institutions, and community organizations to increase program participation.
• Prepare and communicate, in coordination with the Communications Team, all education and visitor related promotions, marketing, social media, web content, flyers, signage, displays, and presentations.
• Liaise with the public, program participants, group leaders, partners, donors, and foundation representatives and ensure a positive experience.
• Foster positive relationships with schools, businesses, and other community, cultural or government institutions and attend relevant meetings.
• In consultation with the Associate Director, develop and manage an annual budget and track all revenues and expenditures.
• Track and record relevant program data, schedules, databases, and income and prepare reports as required.
• With the Development Team, facilitate opportunities for donations and sponsorships and prepare funding applications.
• Develop annual plans and implement Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary’s Strategic Plan Education Objectives.
• Assist the Associate Director in overall responsibilities, as well as perform all duties deemed necessary by the Associate Director to further the mission of Audubon and support colleagues, including full and productive participation in staff meetings, planning efforts, and other shared staff duties.
• Serve as an ambassador for Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary and its mission throughout the community, including at conferences, meetings, advisory boards, festivals, and other events.
• Oversee care and use of ambassador animals at the Sanctuary.
• Other job-related duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in environmental studies/science, education, natural science, outdoor recreation, or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of five years’ leadership experience in environmental education, including outdoor education.
• Proven skills teaching and lesson planning in formal and informal settings to diverse audiences, including children, adults, and families.
• Demonstrated experience in educational program design and assessment.
• Knowledge of Florida ecology and wildlife conservation issues or willingness to learn.
• Minimum one year of experience managing and mentoring staff and/or volunteers and fostering a supportive and effective team environment.
• Must be self-motivated, with the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Capable of balancing a fast-paced work environment and multiple deadlines.
• Have good attention to detail, with excellent time-management and organizational skills.
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills with a wide range of audiences, including excellent customer service skills.
• Minimum one year of experience in planning, tracking, and managing budgets and revenue.
• Experience with fundraising and grant writing an asset.
• Must be able to accompany/lead/supervise participants on guided tours over varied terrain in often hot and humid weather among insects and animals.
• Able to load/unload/haul equipment over moderate distances, with or without accommodation.
• Ability to carry program materials up and down steps and load into/out of the Audubon vehicle or garden cart is essential, with or without accommodation.
• Proficiency in MS Office, comfortable in using other software applications and capacity to learn new software.
• Minimum one year of experience and skill in working with digital photos and video, email, internet, and social media.
• Must have current first aid and CPR certifications or obtain such certification by start date.
• Must be available for occasional weekend and evening work. Occasional out-of-state travel required.
• Must have own vehicle and valid U.S. driver’s license for operating an Audubon vehicle.
• Must have the ability to obtain a Florida Class II Wildlife License from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission through practical experience in this position over the course of a year.

The National Audubon Society is a federal contractor and an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. We are committed to a policy of nondiscrimination, inclusion and equal opportunity and actively seek a diverse pool of candidates in this search.

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