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Jobs

Riverbend is seeking bright, dedicated individuals to help us further our mission's work of fostering awareness, appreciation and understanding of our total environment. We seek candidates with some experience in environmental or educational work who share our passion in connecting children to nature.

Positions Currently Available:

 

• Kindergarten Enrichment Program - Director/Lead Teacher
• Seasonal Per Diem Environmental Educator
• Marketing Intern – Available immediately
• Summer Environmental Educator
• Summer Camp Intern
• Early Childhood Environmental Educator

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kindergarten Enrichment Program - Director/Lead Teacher:

Since 1974, Riverbend Environmental Education Center in Gladwyne, PA has been connecting children to the natural world. Each year over 12,000 children participate in our education programs. Beginning in the fall of 2013, Riverbend will provide a science-based, hands-on learning opportunity for Kindergarten aged children. Students will spend significant time in outdoor settings, where they can play, learn, explore and experience the natural world around them. This daily program complements a morning or afternoon half-day Kindergarten schedule, with an extended day option

Riverbend is currently seeking a passionate and energetic educator to direct the program and serve as the lead teacher. The Kindergarten Enrichment Director will build and maintain a program that develops the whole child, sparks imagination, builds self-esteem, fosters learning through nature exploration and unstructured play, develops an attitude of care for the natural world, and helps children to discover the world around them.

Responsibilities:

The Kindergarten Enrichment Director will take the leading role in the development of the program with the primary focus on ensuring that there is a caring and safe learning environment where all children can connect with the natural world.

Planning and Directing

• Design a developmentally appropriate nature-based curriculum guided by the PA Academic Standards for Kindergarteners and the NAAEE Standards for Early Childhood Education
• Develop policies and procedures specific to the program
• Ensure the parents are informed and involved with their children’s experiences and progress through regular communications, including but not limited to emails, phone calls, formal and informal meetings, and newsletters
• Manage the program budget
• Assist with the marketing and promotion of the program
• Assist with additional Riverbend programs and events as appropriate

Teaching and Evaluating:

• Serve as the lead teacher for a morning and afternoon group of up to 15 5-6 year-old children
• Implement nature-based curriculum which will include free exploration, unstructured play and child-centered learning in addition to supporting reading, writing and math skills
• Assess program based on current research and developmentally appropriate practices
• Assure compliance with all relevant government regulations and best practices

Supervising:

• Assist with the hiring, training, scheduling, supervision and evaluation of an Assistant Teacher/Naturalist
• Assist with the hiring, training, scheduling, supervision and evaluation of support staff and volunteers

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, or related field
• Teaching certification in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, or related field
• Minimum of five years of experience teaching children ages 4-6
• Minimum of two years of experience in program management
• Experience supervising staff
• Experience in teaching children in an outdoor setting
• Basic comfort with local natural history and ecology concepts
• Ability to be a creative and flexible team player
• Ability to work actively outdoors in all weather conditions
• Outstanding planning, organization, management, and communication skills

Position: Full-time, partial benefits

Salary Range: $40,000-$45,000, commensurate with experience

To Apply:
Please send resume, cover letter and a list of three references to:

Stacy Carr-Poole, Director of Education
Riverbend Environmental Education Center
Email: scarr@riverbendeec.org
Questions: Call Stacy at 610-527-5234 x108 or email at above address.

 

 

Seasonal Per Diem Environmental Educator:

Dates: Seasonal, with a Fall season from September to November and a Spring season from April to June. Typically 2-4 days per week, 9:00-2:00

Salary: $10-12/hour depending on experience

Per Diem Environmental educators are responsible for teaching lessons to visiting school groups participating in our onsite education program, which serves approximately 7,000 students each year. Each educator is responsible for teaching a group of between 10 and 20 students, ranging in age from Pre-K to 7th grade. Lessons can include, but are not limited to, pond and stream, watersheds, habitats and ecosystems, soil and geology, animal adaptations, and Lenape. Riverbend’s innovative programming combines a number of hands-on activities, sensory exploration, high energy eco-games and interaction with live animals. A perfect opportunity for individuals looking to build experience in the field of environmental education or for environmental professions who are seeking a light, flexible schedule.

Qualifications:

• Experience working with children in outdoor settings
• Comfortable with the basic natural history of the area
• Background in biology, ecology, environmental studies or education strongly encouraged
• Demonstrates effective classroom management skills
• Excellent oral communication skills
• Ability to work cooperatively with a team or individually
• Comfortable interacting with live animals
• Reliable and flexible

 

To apply, send resume, cover letter and list of three references to:

Stacy Carr-Poole, Director of Education
1950 Spring Mill Road
Gladwyne, PA 19035
jobs @ riverbendeec.org
610-527-5234 x108

 

Marketing Intern – Available immediately.

Riverbend Environmental Education Center, located in Gladwyne, PA, seeks to hire a marketing intern to help with marketing, PR and development related tasks. Key responsibilities include:

• Participation in the evaluation of marketing and development plans
• Participation in the evaluation of marketing and PR print materials
• Monthly website updates
• Creation of monthly E-newsletter
• Manage social networking initiatives (Facebook, Twitter)
• Support fundraising initiatives
• Take photographs of children participating in educational programs
• Increase presence on the internet through links on websites with similar missions, goals, and values
• Manage and maintain consistent supplies of printed communications
• Update PR contact list and help with press releases

 

This position requires:

• Excellent communication skills
• Strength in organization
• Creativity
• Solid writing skills
• Ability to work well with others

Sophomore, Junior or Senior Marketing, Communications, or English majors can apply. We seek a commitment on average of 8-10 hours per week.

To apply:
Please send resume, cover letter and a list of three references to:
Lisa Matthews, Administrative and Communications Coordinator
Riverbend Environmental Education Center
1950 Spring Mill Road
Gladwyne, PA 19035
Email: lmatthews@riverbendeec.org
Fax: 610-527-1161
Questions: Call Lisa at 610-527-5234 x104 or email at above address.

 

 

Summer Environmental Educator (4 Positions Available)

Dates: June 3rd - August 30th; Monday – Friday, 8:00 – 4:00 (some evenings and overnights required)
Salary: $11/hour

Program:
Educators will be part of the staff of Riverbend’s Summer Exploration Day Camp.  Each week 60-80 children, ages 4 – 14, come to our 30-acre Gladwyne site for hands-on exploration and discovery.  The atmosphere is friendly and low-key; curriculum is created by professional staff with a strong emphasis on exploring and expanding children’s interests and stimulating investigation.  Some programs take place at other sites and include field trips, cook-outs, camp-outs, and camping trips. Groups are generally no more than 14 children per educator and the younger age groups have an intern to assist. 

Responsibilities:

• Educators will be required to create age appropriate lesson plans according to the weekly themes and Riverbend guidelines.  Educators are encouraged to collaborate in this process. 
• Educators implement the lesson plans with a group of approximately 10-14 campers for whom they have primary responsibility, which includes group management, chaperoning field trips, and organizing cook-outs and overnights when teaching the older groups. 
• Educators are required to lead groups of various ages during the season, including students as young as four and as old as eleven.
• Educators will also be working with and supervising interns and volunteers throughout the summer.
• General upkeep of the facility will be expected.  

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• Understanding of basic principles of environmental education
• Knowledge of environmental/science/natural history concepts
• Experience educating and managing groups of children
• Strong oral communication skills
• Ability to work actively outdoors during the summer
• Ability to work independently and in groups

 

To apply:
Please send resume, cover letter and a list of three references to:
Stacy Carr-Poole, Director of Education
Riverbend Environmental Education Center
1950 Spring Mill Road
Gladwyne, PA 19035
Email: scarr@riverbendeec.org
Fax: 610-527-1161
Questions: Call Stacy at 610-527-5234 x108 or email at above address.

 

 

 

Summer Camp Intern (3 Positions available)

Dates: June 3rd  to August 30th; Monday – Friday, 8:00-4:00 or 10:00-6:00 (some evenings and overnights required)
Salary: $9/hour

Program:
Interns will be part of the staff of Riverbend’s Summer Exploration Day Camp.  Each week 60-80 children, ages 4 – 14, come to our 30-acre Gladwyne site for hands-on exploration and discovery.  The atmosphere is friendly and low-key; curriculum is created by professional staff with a strong emphasis on exploring and expanding children’s interests and stimulating investigation.  Some programs take place at other sites and include field trips, cook-outs, camp-outs, and camping trips. Groups are generally no more than 14 children per educator.  Interns assist educators who lead the groups, primarily working with the youngest camper’s ages 4-8 years old.  The internship is an opportunity to learn about the field of environmental education. Director can serve as supervisor for course credit if offered through your university. 

Responsibilities:

• Interns provide support to educators in the preparation of camp curricula and materials for lessons. 
• Interns assist with group management, chaperoning field trips and assisting with cook-out and overnight programs.
• Interns prepare at least one lesson each week to be taught for a variety of ages.
• Interns provide supervision for the extended day program, which includes both early morning and after camp responsibilities.  Intern’s schedule will be adjusted to accommodate these responsibilities. 
• Interns may have the opportunity to lead a group towards the end of their internship; this opportunity can be discussed with the Director of Education and Camp Coordinator.
• General upkeep of the facility will be required.  

Qualifications:

• One or more years of college education or equivalent experience
• Interest in the field of environmental education/education/biology
• Knowledge of basic environmental/science/natural history concepts
• Experience working with children
• Ability to work actively outdoors during the summer
• Ability to work independently and in groups

To apply:
Please send resume, cover letter and a list of three references to:
Stacy Carr-Poole, Director of Education
Riverbend Environmental Education Center
1950 Spring Mill Road
Gladwyne, PA 19035
Email: scarr@riverbendeec.org
Fax: 610-527-1161
Questions: Call Stacy at 610-527-5234 x108 or email at above address.

 

 

 

Early Childhood Environmental Educator (1 Position available)

Dates: June 3rd to August 30th; Monday through Friday, 8:00-2:00

Salary: $11/hour

Program:
Educators will be part of the staff of Riverbend’s Summer Exploration Day Camp.  Each week 60-80 children, ages 4 – 14, come to our 30-acre Gladwyne site for hands-on exploration and discovery.  The atmosphere is friendly and low-key; curriculum is created by professional staff with a strong emphasis on exploring and expanding children’s interests and stimulating investigation.  Some programs take place at other sites and include field trips, cook-outs, camp-outs, and camping trips. Groups are generally no more than 14 children per educator and the younger age groups have an intern to assist. 

Responsibilities:

• Early Childhood Educator will work exclusively with our four year-old campers. 
• The educator will be required to create age appropriate lesson plans according to the weekly themes.  Educators are encouraged to collaborate in this process. 
• Educators implement the lesson plans with a group of approximately 10-14 campers for whom they have primary responsibility. 
• Educators will work with and supervise an intern and volunteer each week.
• General upkeep of the facility will be expected.  

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience (Early Childhood Education a plus)
• Understanding of basic principles of environmental education
• Knowledge of environmental/science/natural history concepts
• Experience educating and managing groups of pre-school aged children
• Strong oral communication skills
• Ability to work actively outdoors during the summer
• Ability to work independently and in groups

 

To apply:
Please send resume, cover letter and a list of three references to:
Stacy Carr-Poole, Director of Education
Riverbend Environmental Education Center
1950 Spring Mill Road
Gladwyne, PA 19035
Email: scarr@riverbendeec.org
Fax: 610-527-1161
Questions: Call Stacy at 610-527-5234 x108 or email at above address.

 

 

 

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