Collegeville, Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
St. Joseph, Minnesota
Bloomington, Minnesota
Thief River Falls, Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
River Falls, Wisconsin
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Duluth, Minnesota
Posted: 01-Feb-23
Location: Collegeville, Minnesota
Type: Full-time
Categories:
Employment Type:
Organization Type:
Required Education:
Internal Number: 01595
The Outdoor University Department at Saint John's University invites applicants for the full-time (.92 FTE), benefit-eligible position of Assistant Director of PreK-12 Environmental Education.
This position leads the development, administration, implementation, and assessment of Outdoor U’s high quality preK-12 environmental education programs that promote environmental literacy and emotional connectedness to the natural world through hands-on and age-appropriate field trips. Our educational programs annually serve over 8,000 public, private, and home school preK-12 students through on-site field experiences and in-class curricula. The position is responsible for maintaining all preK-12 partnership relationships and contracts, budgeting, scheduling, and billing. The position also plays a critical role in mentoring and inspiring CSB and SJU student naturalist employees and environmental education fellow to reach CSB and SJU institutional learning goals: think deeply, embrace difference, engage globally, serve graciously, and live courageously. This includes our important work towards Outdoor U inclusion and diversity goals to promote the understanding, use and enjoyment of the natural world by all participants, especially those from historically underrepresented and marginalized communities. Other aspects of the position include assisting to supplement CSB and SJU academic offerings, assisting the CSB and SJU Adventure Education program, teaching public programs, assisting with admission events for prospective students, programming for faculty/staff/alumni, land stewardship, and equipment maintenance.
Outdoor U provides environmental and outdoor education through classes, events and initiatives with the Abbey Arboretum and CSB and SJU. The Abbey Arboretum is a 2,944-acre natural arboretum made up of forest, prairie, wetlands and oak savanna owned by Saint John's Abbey and surrounding Saint John's University. The collaboration between Saint John’s Outdoor U Saint John’s Abbey Arboretum creates a dynamic commitment to land stewardship, environmental respect, and education of all ages, abilities, backgrounds, and experience levels.
The College of Saint Benedict (CSB) is a liberal arts college for women, and Saint John's University (SJU) is a liberal arts college for men and a graduate School of Theology and graduate Nursing programs for both men and women. SJU is the home of the Hill Museum & Manuscript Library and the Collegeville Institute for Ecumenical and Cultural Research. The campuses are located in the central lakes area of Minnesota, surrounded by more than 3,000 acres of pristine forests, prairies, and lakes. The campuses are minutes away from St. Cloud, an increasingly diverse regional center with a population of over 100,000, and 70 miles from Minneapolis and St. Paul. Some CSB and SJU faculty and staff choose to reside locally, while others commute from the Twin Cities. Both St. Cloud and the Twin Cities offer a wide range of fine arts, cultural, dining, recreational, and sporting opportunities.
CSB and SJU are Catholic colleges in the Benedictine tradition enlivened by values of community, hospitality, stewardship, and justice. The schools are dedicated to cultivating an equitable, inclusive community founded on respect for all persons. Students, staff and faculty from many diverse belief systems and backgrounds collectively bring a rich dimension to the academic, cultural, and religious experience at CSB and SJU. Learn more in our Institutional Statement on Diversity and in our brochure regarding Higher Education in the Catholic and Benedictine Tradition.
With a total enrollment of approximately 3,200 students, CSB and SJU are unique in all of higher education, distinguished by their commitment to the holistic transformational development of women and men within the context of a unified, coeducational experience. All students, faculty, and staff have the opportunity to experience and engage with the two institutions. For further information, see http://www.csbsju.edu/about.
CSB and SJU offer competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits program.
Responsibilities
- Lead the development, administration, implementation, and assessment of preK-12 environmental education field trip program serving thousands of students annually.
- Assist with the delivery of preK-12 summer nature camps
- Supervise and mentor environmental education fellow and CSB/SJU student naturalists and naturalist aides.
- Participate in the instruction of CSB/SJU students through established connections with academic departments and adventure programming.
- Offer informational, seasonal programming on topics of local natural history for Outdoor U members and interested community members.
- Offer programs and build relationships to increase the involvement of historically marginalized and underrepresented audiences in outdoor education and recreation and participate in continuing education regarding the history of racism, access, and inclusion in the outdoors.
- Maintain the equipment, and supplies for educational, scientific, and environmental activities. Participate in land stewardship activities.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Outdoor U director.
- Bachelor of Arts or Sciences, in fields such as environmental education, environmental studies, education, natural sciences, or related areas.
- 1 or more years’ experience teaching environmental education.
- Demonstrated enthusiasm and ability to teach environmental education to audiences of all ages on a daily basis.
- Ability to work with culturally and economically diverse audiences.
- Commitment to having cultural agility – possessing the skills, knowledge, and abilities necessary to provide leadership in a diverse community.
- Working knowledge of or willingness to learn regional flora, fauna, and ecosystems.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Interpersonal relations and leadership skills to build collaborative relationships and work effectively as part of the Outdoor U team in providing a high level of customer service.
- Ability to work independently.
- Basic computer skills with willingness to learn multiple programs and applications.
- Ability to drive a college vehicle, which requires possession of a valid driver’s license and completion of college defensive driving program.
- Ability to work a flexible schedule, including occasional nights and weekends.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- 2 years’ experience leading the development, administration, implementation, and assessment of an education program.
- Experience collaborating with teachers, including leading workshops, providing resources, and writing curriculum.
- Additional post undergraduate professional training such as related certifications, conference attendance, master’s degree, etc.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Ability to meet the physical requirements of the position, including working indoors and outdoors in variable weather conditions and on variable terrain, walking for extended distances and lifting/moving equipment up to 40 lbs.
