Arboretum Educator
Position: Arboretum Education Programs Coordinator AmeriCorps Member
Organization: Wilbur D. May Arboretum
Summary
The Arboretum Educator, an AmeriCorps Member, will be an essential member of the Wilbur D. May Arboretum team. This person will be responsible for managing, implementing, and assisting the horticulturist with the May Arboretum Environmental Backpack program. This includes connecting and maintaining relationships with Washoe County School District teachers and other groups for this field trip program. This AmeriCorps member will also develop teacher training workshops to enhance the program in the classroom. The Educator will also create brochures, flyers, and environmental tour guides for the Arboretum and will train volunteers and docents.
Service Location: Reno, NV
Timeline for Service: September 2020 - August 2021
Primary Responsibilities
- Maintain and improve existing public programs with an emphasis on early childhood education;
- Work closely with the Arboretum horticulturist to assist in teaching and leading public programs and tours;
- Coordinate and train volunteers for educational programs;
- Reach out to the Washoe County School District, community, garden clubs, and other organizations and create relationships for field trips and volunteer service opportunities.
Secondary Responsibilities
- Provide annual program impact and status report to Horticulture Manager;
- Create needs assessment and survey tools;
- Develop brochures, flyers, and environmental tour guides for the Arboretum;
- Assist in social media and website design;
- Perform minimum arboretum preservation.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment;
- Exceptional writing skills;
- Strong communication skills;
- Strong organizational skills;
- High degree of initiative and spirit of service.
Required Academic and Experience Qualifications
Must have a high school diploma or equivalent, or agree to earn a high school diploma or equivalent before using an educational award. It would be useful if members have a Bachelor's degree in education, science, or a related field.
Additional Guidelines or Expectations
AmeriCorps members are required to wear at least one piece of AmeriCorps gear (AmeriCorps button), provided by the Parks Foundation, every day during their term of service. When the member is facilitating a program, they should wear the t-shirt their site supervisor provides them with the AmeriCorps button pinned on this shirt. AmeriCorps members must participate in a minimum of three National Days of Service during their term of service and may participate in additional service projects.
Member Benefits
In return for their service, AmeriCorps members receive a modest living allowance of $14,279/year, health benefits during their service, and will receive a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $6,195.00.
Evaluating and Reporting
Members will receive a mid-term and end-of-term performance evaluation from their site-supervisor and the AmeriCorps Program Director. Members will submit their biweekly Member Service Logs (timesheets) to their supervisor to be approved. Members are also responsible for reporting performance measures to their site supervisor and AmeriCorps Program Director every month during their term of service.