STEM High School Environmental Educator

The STEM High School Environmental Educator at Natural Areas Conservancy, Inc. will support an internship program in either Forest Park, Queens or Staten Island. Responsibilities include leading educational programming, mentoring interns, and coordinating with partners. Ideal candidates should have experience in environmental education and program coordination. The position involves direct engagement with interns and outdoor activities, promoting urban ecology and scientific understanding.
NATURAL AREAS CONSERVANCY

STEM High School Environmental Educator

Forest Park, Queens OR the Greenbelt, Staten Island

Job Announcement

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW

Through its visionary leadership and high impact staff, the Natural Areas Conservancy (NAC) champions urban natural areas in New York City and across the nation through innovative research, partnerships, and advocacy. We increase the health and resilience of urban forests and wetlands, catalyze connections between people and nature, and strengthen the environmental workforce.

Started in 2012, the Natural Areas Conservancy is the first park conservancy dedicated exclusively to New York City’s natural areas–20,000 acres across all five boroughs. Since 2019, we have also worked on a national scale, leading a network of representatives from cities across the U.S. to strengthen research, information sharing, and communication efforts to enhance the field of urban forest management.

We want all people to feel welcomed, inspired by, and connected to the natural world.

About the NAC Student Urban Nature High School Program

The NAC hosts a paid urban ecology internship program for local high school students using the framework of science identity to promote environmental stewardship among NYC youth. Over six weeks, high school interns become familiar with flora and fauna identification, field ecology, natural areas management and stewardship, and the scientific method through mentored monitoring and restoration projects. Interns also have the opportunity to participate in professional development training in public speaking, networking, and resume building. We are seeking candidates that can support either the Forest Park, Queens or Staten Island Greenbelt locations.

The STEM High School Environmental Educator position will support the Internship Community Coordinator with leading day-to-day logistics of the internship program in either the Forest Park or Staten Island program location. This would include following the environmental education curriculum provided, lead programming, coordinating with partners for guest visits, acting as the point of contact to interns that require assistance or troubleshooting from the field, assisting interns in understanding scientific lessons, and acting as mentor by providing guidance to interns conducting their research projects. Ideal candidates will have experience in program coordination, environmental education, and urban ecological research.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the Internship Community Coordinator, the STEM High School Environmental Educator will be responsible for:
• Attending paid training activities the first week of the position (Fri, June 27th to Thurs, July 3rd)
• Preparing for and leading high school programming in either Forest Park or Staten Island which includes engaging activities and opportunities focused on urban ecology, experiential science learning, and college/career readiness all centered around science identity
• Maintaining and growing relationships with NAC program partners in Forest Park and the Greenbelt to strengthen program efforts while building rapport with interns and encouraging individual growth
• Supervising and guiding interns throughout the summer program through outdoor excursions, environmental research, field trips, and remote lessons
• Documenting activities and the progression of the program through photos and videos to then share with NAC Communications staff to create weekly social media content highlighting the program
• Tracking, dispersing, and collecting program equipment
• Providing administrative support (intern and program documentation, scheduling events and remote days, tracking attendance, etc.)
• Assisting Internship Community Coordinator with program evaluation through pre-surveys, post-surveys, and reviewing participant feedback
• Checking in with interns about their day-to-day experience in the program and debriefing with program mentors about the successes and modifications to the program
• Assisting in data collection, data entry, analysis, and quality control as a mentor to the interns
• Preparing for and facilitating intern science communication opportunities such as public presentations and Student Research Symposium with the New York City Science Research and Mentorship Consortium on Thursday, August 14th at the American Museum of Natural History

REQUIRED SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS
• A current or former student from a CUNY institution
• This position is open to candidates with US work authorization
• Interest in studying and improving local ecosystems
• Educational program coordination experience
• Field data collection experience within forests, wetlands and/or trail networks
• Ability to maintain a positive, collaborative attitude during hot (and probably buggy) days outdoors in variable weather conditions
• Strong science communication skills
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and written communication skills
• Ability to closely follow directions and adhere closely to field data collection protocols
• Physically able to hike up to 6 miles a day carrying up to 40 lbs
• Ability to travel/work independently

PREFERRED SKILLS/QUALIFICATIONS
• Familiarity with and proximity to Forest Park, Queens OR the Greenbelt in Staten Island
• Classroom management and conflict resolution
• Mentorship experience
• Experience working with high school aged students
• Research, data analysis and project design experience

JOB LOCATION

The position is approximately 80% field work and 20% office work. The STEM High School Environmental Educator will report primarily in the field to Forest Park, Queens OR the Greenbelt Nature Center and from office locations in Manhattan and Queens. While working from home, access to a computer and stable internet connection is required.

There will also be the opportunity to visit off-site locations outside of Forest Park and the Greenbelt during weekly field trips and/or stewardship events.

DURATION

8 weeks, 35 hours/week, June 27th - August 22nd, 2025

COMPENSATION/BENEFITS

$24/hour. As a seasonal position, the role is paid for hours worked and is not eligible for medical benefits. Position is eligible to participate in 401K in adherence with company policy. Sick/safe leave will be accrued in accordance with company policy.

APPLICATION

To apply for the STEM High School Environmental Educator role at the Natural Areas Conservancy, apply online at our Career Center. In this application you will include your resume, cover letter and unofficial transcripts from your CUNY institution in the format listed below. In your cover letter, please specify which program location would you want to be considered for: Forest Park, Staten Island, or both. You may be asked to provide the contact information of two references later during the interview process.

Please upload all materials as PDF files with each labeled as follows:

A. Cover letter → 2025_last name_first init.CL (i.e. ‘2025_Jones_J_CL.pdf’);

B. Resume → 2025 last name_first init_R (i.e. ‘2025_Jones_J_R.pdf’);

C. Unofficial transcript → 2025_ last name_first init_UOT (i.e. ‘2025_Jones_J_UOT.pdf’)

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the closing date of 11:59 pm on Friday, June 11th. Please address any questions to jobs@naturalareasnyc.org.

SECTIONS OF ONLINE APPLICATION
• Personal Information
• Uploading resume, cover letter and unofficial transcript
• Eligibility and skills assessment questions
• Voluntary self ID
• Review, Self-Attest, and Submit