Environmental Center Coordinator and Lecturer - McDaniel College

McDaniel College is seeking an Environmental Center Coordinator and Lecturer for Fall 2025. This hybrid role involves teaching in the Environmental Studies Department and coordinating activities at the McDaniel Environmental Center. Responsibilities include property management, fostering sustainable practices, and overseeing student projects. The ideal candidate should have experience in environmental education and landscape management. The position requires on-site living in college-provided housing.
Job Description

The Environmental Studies Department (ENV) at McDaniel College invites applications for a Environmental Center Coordinator and Lecturer beginning Fall 2025. This is a faculty-staff hybrid position that includes a teaching appointment in the Environmental Studies Department as well as the coordination of maintenance activities and experiential learning opportunities at the McDaniel Environmental Center (MEC). This role requires a combination of technical expertise, leadership skills, and a passion for environmental sustainability and education. This role involves working closely with the Department Chair of Environmental Studies, McDaniel Environmental Center Governance and Program Committees, the Directors of Grounds and Physical Plant, the Coordinator of the McDaniel Gardens Program, student employees, community partners, and other stakeholders, as applicable, to manage the physical and fiscal resources of the MEC as well as foster a sustainable, safe, and inclusive educational environment. The ideal candidate should have experience in environmental/outdoor education as well as a strong background in landscape management, project management, and a passion for promoting sustainable practices in a way that supports the experiential learning and community outreach goals of McDaniel College. The ideal candidate will also live on site in a college-provided residence.

McDaniel College is an AA/EEO and an award-winning ADA employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. Review of applications will begin January 15, 2025 and applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

MEC Coordination Responsibilities

In partnership with the Department Chair of Environmental Studies and the Director of Grounds, design and execute a comprehensive property management program, including vegetation management, pruning, planting, irrigation, trail maintenance, physical space maintenance (e.g., pavilion, parking lot, outbuildings), and management of pests and invasive species.

Coordinate with the McDaniel Physical Plant, Grounds, and external contractors on property maintenance needs and schedules.

Support the McDaniel Gardens Program in basic maintenance of all production spaces, including irrigation, infrastructure, and weed and pest management activities, as needed.

Ensure all trails and gathering spaces are safe and readily accessible for College and community activities.

Routinely mow areas around the pavilion, manor house, trail and driveway during growing season.

Promote and integrate environmentally friendly practices in all property maintenance, such as water and energy conservation and native planting strategies.

Maintain an inventory and ensure proper use and storage of tools, equipment, and supplies necessary for property maintenance.

Update, post, and enforce property rules and regulations for all MEC visitors and promptly respond to any safety concerns.

Oversee student internships and independent projects that are focused on the maintenance and restoration of the McDaniel Environmental Center.

MEC Development & Engagement

In partnership with the Department Chair of Environmental Studies and the MEC Program Committee, create and support educational visits, research projects, service and community-building events, admissions and alumni events, and other tours, as requested.

Co-manage space reservations and property calendar requests.

Support assessment, marketing, development, and external funding application activities.

Undergraduate Teaching

Offer a range of courses in environmental studies, with a particular focus on introductory courses in the ENV major and McDaniel's general education program, with opportunities to teach additional lower- and upper-level ENV electives in their field(s) of emphasis.

Provide a safe learning environment for the students in the field, classroom, and laboratory.

Provide mentorship and advising to ENV majors and minors.

Teaching load is 2/2.

Requirements

Environmental/Outdoor Education, Natural Resource, Environmental or Landscape Management, Recreation and Parks Management, Applied Ecology, Horticulture, or a related field.

Experience with outdoor and/or environmental education or outreach, especially at the high school or college level.

Experience in project management and/or landscape or property management preferred.

Strong knowledge of sustainable horticultural or landscaping practices, regional plant identification, and pest management.

Excellent communication and organizational skills.

Ability to work evenings, weekends and holidays, as needed.

Working Conditions

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to a variety of conditions including but not limited to typical office and classroom settings, and outdoor weather conditions at the MEC. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Exposure to operating machinery consistent with care of an environmental center.

Physical Requirements

Ability to work in outdoor temperatures ranging from extreme cold to extreme heat.

Ability to lift, carry, and move objects weighing up to 30 lbs. without assistance as well as being able to kneel, squat, reach above the head, at the waist, and below the knees.

Ability to repetitively push and pull equipment such as a push-mower, weedwhacker or rake without assistance.

Ability to repetitively grasp and manipulate objects of varying size and weight requiring fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.

Ability to exert oneself physically over sustained periods of time to complete job activities.

Ability to stand a minimum of 6 hours during the workday.

Additional Information

McDaniel College is committed to building a diverse workforce that reflects the student body. McDaniel College, in compliance with federal and state laws and regulations, does not discriminate in the recruitment, admission, and employment of students, faculty, and staff in the operation of any of its educational programs and activities. McDaniel College will not tolerate any discrimination or harassment on basis of any protected status including protective hairstyle, race, religion, color, ancestry or national origin, disability, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, military status, genetic information, marital status, veteran's status, or any other actual or perceived legally protected characteristics. For more information on the College's commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, please visit this link.

Application Instructions

To apply, visit: https://employment.mcdaniel.edu/

Preferred

Applications must be submitted via this online process to be considered. Applications must include the following in the order presented (pdfs are preferred):
• Letter of Interest
• Curriculum Vitae
• A statement of teaching philosophy, including a statement of experience with, and commitments to, teaching a diverse student body and experiential learning.

At the time of application, letters of reference are encouraged but not required. All complete applications with or without reference letters will be reviewed. For candidates who are short-listed for phone interviews, three letters of references will then be solicited. To submit letters of reference at the time of application, please arrange for one to three letters to be sent to Provost@McDaniel.edu.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.