Position Title: Creek Farm & Seacoast Region Education Program Coordinator
Department: Education, Outreach Salary: $40,400
Reports to: Senior Director of Education
Salary, Non-Exempt, Full time
Position Summary:
Develop and deliver year-round education programs based at the Forest Society’s Creek Farm Reservation located at the mouth of Sagamore Creek on Little Harbor in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Offer new outreach programs at properties owned and managed by the Forest Society across the wider Seacoast region. Engage residents and visitors in the conservation and stewardship mission of the Forest Society.
Lead interpretive nature programs, recreation hikes, walking tours and various indoor presentations. Create and identify new outreach opportunities and audiences. Help develop marketing and promotions to include social media. Increase public visitation and community participation in scheduled programs and special events covering a wide range of natural history and recreation-based topics for a public audience to include youth, families, schools, camps, and adult education audiences.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Cultivate cooperative program partnerships with allied organizations on site at Creek Farm and in the greater Portsmouth community. Expand breadth of program audience to wider Seacoast region and southern New Hampshire.
- Lead site interpretation and public education center presence and programs. Welcome the public, lead trail walks, host programs and special events.
- Design and develop engaging education programs which include year-round lectures or talks, hikes, walks, tours, special events and wider community outreach.
- Promote public visitation and enjoyment of the Creek Farm outdoor campus. Track programs attendance and site visitation.
- Cultivate new creative program partnerships resulting in a vibrant suite of public education programs at the Creek Farm campus.
- Represent Forest Society within Portsmouth’s environmental, sustainability, recreation, fitness, and arts communities. Establish the Forest Society Creek Farm focus on youth and families via nature-based, public education programs.
- Manage Creek Farm education budget.
- Coordinate a shared calendar for on-site Education classroom and outdoor program spaces by on-site partners including staff for the Portsmouth-based Gundalow Company summer day camps and after-school programs.
- Develop and expand digital content for mobile platforms. Establish interpretive “Tree ID” trail along existing Little Harbor Loop Trail. Create and add interpretation for property features.
- Expand cooperative programs with camps, schools, youth groups and community organizations. Foster and facilitate sites that are used by partner organizations at Creek Farm campus.
- Assist at other Forest Society public programs, tabling events, fairs, hikes, tours and special events or stewardship workdays.
- Other duties as assigned.
Contributions/Outcomes:
- Successful outcomes are defined by the development of innovative new programs that increase visitation, foster wider community partnerships, and engage new audiences on-site and within the Seacoast region.
- Design education programs and foster partnerships to define and shape public perception of Creek Farm as a Forest Society recreation destination and indoor/outdoor learning campus.
- Attract people and partnerships to Creek Farm
- Schedule tours and networking for invited community organizations
- Help to develop interpretive content including trails, signage, and written materials working with Forest Society Reservation Stewardship team.
- Promote Creek Farm as a destination for natural history education and recreation events (hiking, birdwatching, kayaking, picnics, group visits)
- Schedule and lead tours, walks and special events.
- Track visitation, programs attendance, budgets.
- Actively promote Creek Farm and Forest Society education programs to wider audiences
Qualifications and Skills required:
- Bachelor’s degree preferred; graduate degree, a plus.
- Driver’s license and personal transportation required.
- The successful candidate will be personable, articulate, motivated, and enthusiastic while bringing a creative, visionary approach to development of Creek Farm as a Forest Society education center.
- Prior work experience developing and leading environmental education programs for youth, adult, and family-oriented outdoor education programs. Interpretive program experience is preferred.
- Strong oral and written communication skills. Prior public speaking and public presentation experience preferred.
- Strong NH natural resource background including familiarity with New Hampshire forests, forestry, wildlife, marine and estuarine ecosystems, and ecology.
- Community public relations, media relations and community networking experience preferred.
- Strong organizational skills with a detail-oriented approach to tracking and measuring program outcomes.
- Possess strong outdoor leadership and interpersonal skills to ensure successful field trip planning, leadership, and safety. Recreation hiking and paddling experience is preferred.
- Established community network connections in Portsmouth and the greater Seacoast Region are helpful.
- Certifications in CPR, Basic First Aid preferred.
Desired Skills or Qualities: Outgoing, enthusiastic, and flexible. Ability to work comfortably both as part of a dynamic Forest Society staff team as well as providing primary leadership of Creek Farm and Seacoast region programs. Strong organizational skills to meet deadlines, deliver programs and work on shared priorities. Can-do attitude. Strong New Hampshire community connections are helpful. Desire to build networks and promote the positive mission and work of a statewide land conservation and forestry organization with 125 years of history in New Hampshire.
Working Conditions: This position is based at our Creek Farm property in Portsmouth, New Hampshire and duties will require frequent evening/weekend work during the busy field season from May through September. Working outside in varied weather conditions is to be expected.
Physical Requirements: The ability to sit or stand while working at a computer. The ability to drive a vehicle. Must have the physical ability to hike, paddle and carry backpack over rough terrain including rocky shoreline and wooded hiking trails. Backpack supplies would be a first aid kit, extra layers of clothing, rain gear, water, and snacks for self, and could also include additional snacks and water for participants.
Direct Reports: None
Equity, Inclusion & Collaboration: The Forest Society is an equity-based employer. We value a diverse staff and an inclusive culture. We value staff that work for the good of the whole; that can effectively collaborate to achieve shared goals of their department, as well as the organization. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected status as required by applicable law.
To Apply: Please send a resume with cover letter to: Stephanie Milender, Human Resources Director at smilender@forestsociety.org