Assistant Education Coordinator

SUMMARY OF POSITION:

The Assistant Education Coordinator (AC) assists and supports all educational services across the Douglas-Hart Foundation's three properties: Friendship Garden, The Whiteside Garden, and the Douglas-Hart Nature Center. Education responsibilities include leading programs and field trips, planning lessons, coordinating program logistics and bookings, and so much more. The education team shares responsibilities based on each staff member's talents and strengths. The Assistant Education Coordinator primarily connects visitors and community members with the outdoors through visitor center operations, patron engagement, public programs, and day camps.

The AC leads activities that enhance visitor engagement and learning throughout the properties, such as trail-based and visitor center activities, educational displays and exhibits, educational loan resources, animal care enclosures, and other hands-on learning experiences.

The AC supports and leads public programs designed to engage individuals of all ages, backgrounds, and interests. Public programming includes recurring programs, specially scheduled programs, summer camps, and other educational experiences. Recurring programs may include early childhood programs, affinity clubs, adult lecture series, craft classes, and other learning opportunities. Specially scheduled opportunities may include programs offered when schools are out of session or seasonally themed events such as Earth Day. TheAC helps coordinate and implement summer camps, including supporting camp instructors, reinforcing camp goals and expectations, managing groups, and coordinating day-to-day camp logistics.

The Education Team strives to provide diverse, inclusive, and engaging educational opportunities that allow individuals of all ages, backgrounds, abilities, and interests to connect with nature. This position combines administrative responsibilities with direct program leadership and teaching, with approximately 40% of the role focused on administrative and coordination duties and 60% focused on leading educational programs and engaging with visitors and participants. The AC reports directly to the Education Coordinator and collaborates closely with the entire education team.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIMARY DUTIES:

PROGRAMS AND EDUCATION

• Coordinate and implement summer camps, including assisting with program design, marketing, staffing, logistics, and daily operations.
• Lead and teach individuals of all ages and backgrounds across various program formats, including field trips, outreach, scouts, summer camps, workshops, public programs, and special events.
• Assist with the development and implementation of public programs for individuals of all ages and backgrounds
• Travel and lead programs in varying environments that require logistical planning, such as libraries, schools, and other organizations
• Supervise participants in varying sizes and learning programs with effective group management skills
• Coordinate program schedules, registrations, and data using CRM systems, calendars, and spreadsheets
• Assist with staff and volunteer supervision, scheduling, and training
• Prepare education resources, exhibits, hands-on activities, etc. for trails, visitor centers, library, Go-Cart, discovery den, etc on a consistent rotation
• Work with the DHF team to plan larger programs, special events, and festivals
• Set up, tear down, clean, organize, and properly store program materials
• Clean and organize educational classrooms/spaces
• Assist with professional development workshops for the public
• Assist with the planning of the Eco-Meet competition for public schools, science fair for homeschool groups, and other custom opportunities
• Collaborate to create educational exhibits and signs

OPERATIONAL DUTIES

• Assist with daily operations of the organization, managing facilities, servicing patrons, running the visitor centers, and other relevant office tasks
• Assist with opening and closing the visitor center and welcome center, and manage front desk operations, including engaging and educating visitors
• Assist with the daily care and maintenance of the educational animals
• Maintain accurate program records, including, but not limited to, program evaluations, attendance records, and submit reports as required
• Provide general housekeeping and maintenance of the visitor center, public spaces, and programming spaces (indoors and outdoors)
• Utilize CRM system to track and record program and business aspects (reservations, program offerings, and more)

COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS

• Collaborate in marketing and communications to develop marketing materials
• Assist with designing and marketing programs using various outlets: Canva, social media, website, e-newsletters, press releases, etc.
• Network with potential community partners (schools, libraries, daycares, organizations, scouts, homeschool, etc.) and conduct annual marketing appeals advertising educational services
• Develop interpretive materials and resources including displays, informational pamphlets, bulletin boards, newsletter articles, and similar
• Assist with Douglas-Hart Foundation publications and content as needed
• Provide prompt and service-oriented communications with potential participants of educational services
• Participate in appropriate community events to promote the Foundation
• Support and assist all Foundation activities including fundraising, membership drives, special events, conservation efforts, grant applications, and similar
• Collaborate to develop volunteer roles and opportunities
• Attend relevant staff and committee meetings
• Provide vision and leadership that advance the Douglas-Hart Foundation’s mission to be a leader in environmental education

PREFERRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Exhibit enthusiasm and respect for the outdoors, nature, and education
• Knowledge of flora and fauna in the East Central Illinois region
• Comfortable handling educational exhibit animals and providing daily care
• Excellent communication skills
• Strong organizational skills and time management
• Adept at problem-solving and managing issues
• Be comfortable working in an extremely fast-paced working environment with diverse programs that change regularly
• Ability to work independently, while also synergizing as a team
• Excellent teaching skills and experience with a wide range of ages
• Provide exceptional customer service and establish rapport with the public
• Ability to work a flexible schedule to accommodate diverse program schedules
• Represent the Douglas-Hart Foundation in a professional manner
• Be comfortable in a variety of work conditions; be outside in all types of weather, stand for long periods, lift heavy objects, actively participate in program activities you lead, and walk groups through various terrain or other locations such as schools, libraries, and other indoor/outdoor locations
• Comfortable with technology: Computer, CRM, Google Workspace, POS

QUALIFICATIONS

• Degree in education, environmental science, environmental education, biology, zoology, or a related field preferred OR
• Previous experience in the operation of educational or interpretive programs at a nature center, museum, arboretum, zoo, botanical garden, or park is preferred OR
• Previous experience in an educational setting such as a school, library, daycare, etc.
• Knowledge of school curricula (NGSS, ELA, SEL) or scout programs or other Environmental Education curriculum is a plus!
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation

BENEFITS

• Salary range of $17-$19 per hour
• Paid professional development opportunities and memberships
• PTO Accrual
• 75% paid insurance premium
• 3% Simple IRA matching program
• 10 Paid Holidays
• Full-time, permanent position

Send resume to to apply (please no phone calls)

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive, and the employee will also perform other reasonably related duties as assigned by the Executive Director. This position is subject to change as the future needs of the Douglas-Hart Foundation require.

The Douglas-Hart Foundation is an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to a work environment that supports, inspires, and respects all individuals and in which employment is based on qualifications, merit, and business needs and applied without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, disability, family, national origin, military service, or citizenship.

Pay: $17.00 - $20.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Work Location: In person