Full Time Environmental Educator I- Washington Park branch

Full Time Environmental Educator I- Washington Park

Want to know what the UEC is all about? Check out our mission, vision, and values. Or, visit our Instagram to see us find fun and share it!

 

Starting Compensation Range: $43,000-45,000 annually

Benefits: Our full-time employees receive 24 PTO days annually (29+ following Year 1 of employment) plus 7 paid organizational holidays, medical/dental/vision insurance with above-average employer premium contributions, a 3% match on our 403(b) retirement plan, program registration and facility rental discounts, plus a strong commitment to work/life balance and great organizational culture. Additional benefits will be outlined in the hiring process.

Intended start date: September 1st, 2026

Location: Washington Park branch, Milwaukee, WI (in-person)

 

Position Summary

As an Environmental Educator you will engage school-age children in learning about nature and environmental science.  During the school year, you will align teaching with school district and classroom curriculum requirements. This program requires a passion for working with kids, and the implementation of innovative, inquiry-based programs about natural history, science, ecology and environmental issues to school children K-12.

During the summer, the educator will lead camper-centered and nature-based activities for summer day camps with a focus on outdoor recreation and ecological sustainability.  You will assist with daily operations of the Urban Ecology Center, intern coaching and volunteer recruitment and training.

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DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

NEIGHBORHOOD ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROJECT (NEEP)

• Teach outdoor, nature-based, environmental science programs for school groups.
• Present programs on natural history, natural science, ecology, STEM, and environmental issues to urban youth in kindergarten through 12th grades.
• Communicate with school liaisons and teachers about scheduling and program logistics.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to adapt programs
• Drive 14 and 30-passenger buses to transport students.

SUMMER PROGRAMS 

• Adapt and update preexisting summer camp outlines
• Co-teach camper-centered, inquiry-based experiences for summer camp students, including potential overnight experiences.
• Mentor college and high school interns serving as camp counselors.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to prepare all materials for summer educational activities.
• Drive 14 and 30 passenger buses to transport program participants.
• Perform the role of assistant camp director as scheduled to represent the UEC summer camp program.

OTHER ACTIVITIES 

• Work in collaboration with other educators to organize and maintain all educational equipment and classroom spaces; prepare and maintain program materials.
• Contribute content to the Center’s website, social media, or newsletter, as needed.
• Assist with training and working with volunteers.
• Assist with publicity for the Urban Ecology Center programs.

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To be successful in this position, you will demonstrate the following competencies:

We know that hardly anyone ‘checks ALL the boxes’ on job requirements, and that’s okay! If some or many of the items listed below describe you and your experiences, we’re excited to talk with you and encourage you to apply.

• Collaborates: You build partnerships and work collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Communicates effectively: You develop and deliver multi-mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences.
• Reliability/action-oriented: Deliver on commitments and act with a clear sense of ownership.
• Interpersonal savvy: Relate openly and comfortably with diverse groups of people while recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization.
• Adaptability: You recognize individual control of self and actions; you rebound from setbacks and adversity.
• Addresses conflict: You courageously address conflict by caring personally and challenging directly (radical candor).
• Growth mindset:  You demonstrate a commitment to ongoing learning and professional development and are willing to incorporate feedback into the ways you approach work.
• Values differences: You recognize the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization.
• Instructional ability: You can demonstrate an ability to teach science and nature-based programs with an exceptional grasp of youth engagement strategies, positive risk-taking, and adventure education. You understand the phases of child development and appropriately adapt content to different ages and stages.
• Group management: You create engaging and positive environments where participants feel comfortable being their whole, genuine selves, for children and adults alike; you can redirect distracting behaviors to active, productive engagement.
• Ecological knowledge: you have an understanding of and recognize the cycles of nature, animal behavior, and the nuances of phenology, incorporating them into programming as able and adapting content to participant needs.
• Personal accountability: you have systems or processes in place to manage tasks, need minimal supervision or reminders to complete work and motivate yourself to accomplish tasks/goals. You have a sense of trust in your personal abilities and take ownership of work.
• Strong cultural competency and commitment to equity, dignity, and justice.
• Affinity to the Urban Ecology Center’s mission, vision, and values.

 

Required Qualifications: 

• Must have a valid driver’s license and ability to meet requirements of insurability under Urban Ecology Center’s commercial vehicle insurance policy.
• Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) or ability to obtain CDL is required within the first six months of employment; UEC can assist in obtaining.
• Lifeguard certification or the ability to gain certification within 1 year.
• Canoe training and/or water safety certification or the ability to gain certification.

 

Preferred Qualifications:

• 1-3 years of teaching experience in a broad range of ages in a formal or non-formal setting; experience teaching urban youth in grades kindergarten through 12th.
• BS or BA in natural sciences, environmental education or related fields.

 

Physical Requirements

•  Lifting bikes 3 feet out of bike rack; team-lifting canoes from storage racks to activity locations; hiking, biking, walking or paddling for a full day, lifting up to 50 pounds with or without accommodation.

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What does a typical workday look like?

Condition & Location: 

• The majority of time is spent outdoors in all weather conditions on land and water throughout the year. This position is based at the Washington Park branch.

Weekly hours: 

• 40 hours/week

Schedule:

• Standard school and business hours with occasional evening and weekend events. Educators will teach an average of 4 days/week through the school year and 4 days/week in the summer.

Equipment Used: 

• 14 and 30 passenger buses, trailers, canoes, kayaks, bikes, snow gear, computer equipment and Google software.

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Team and Supervision

• You will be a member of the Environmental Education team and be managed by the Environmental Education Manager.  You will be responsible for the safety and well-being of students, interns, and volunteers and also coach/mentor our interns, students, and volunteers.
• Though all of our teams work together in some capacity, you will most frequently collaborate with the Educators and Branch leadership team.
• In this role, you may participate in UEC circles and committees as your work requires or as your schedule and interests allow.
• All UEC team members should expect interaction with volunteers, members, and youth participants.

 

Organizational Support

• All team members of the Urban Ecology Center work a minimum of 1-2 weekend or evening events each year. Our events are a great way to engage with our communities and see our mission in action; examples include Urban Candlelight Hike, Autumn Celebration, and HKE MKE. Some roles may have increased responsibility for event leadership.
• Most team members are asked to support our building hours by providing building coverage, which may include opening/closing the building, communicating with staff on-site, and welcoming visitors or guests. You may provide backup support, when needed.

 

The Urban Ecology Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is our policy to make all personnel decisions without discriminating on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, physical disability, mental disability, age, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, national or ethnic origin, and any other protected status.