Environmental Education Specialist

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is hiring an Environmental Education Specialist for the Department of Conservation & Natural Resources in Northampton, PA. The role involves planning and delivering educational programs on environmental awareness and outdoor activities at the Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center. Responsibilities include managing resource libraries, overseeing volunteer programs, coordinating equipment maintenance, and implementing educational initiatives. This is a full-time position requiring weekend and holiday availability.
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.

Other Requirements:
• You must meet thePA 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.

Legal Requirements:
• 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.

How to Apply:
• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents willnot 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.

Veterans:
• 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 Info/Pages/default.aspxand click the Veterans’ Preference tab or contact us at ra-cs-vetpreference@pa.gov.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):
• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.
• 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/testonce for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.