Outdoor Educator

Who We Are:

Founded in 1891 by a group of visionary volunteers, The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees) is the nation’s premier conservation and preservation organization. The Trustees’ preserves, for public use and enjoyment, properties of exceptional scenic, historic, and ecological value in Massachusetts. Our properties are open to all, and we thrive by involving as many people as possible in all that we do. We aim to protect special places for future generations to enjoy in perpetuity, and have helped protect more than 50,000 acres, including 27,000+ acres on more than 120 reservations that are open to the public. As a non-profit conservation organization, we are funded and supported entirely by our visitors, supporters, volunteers, and our 100,000 Member households. We encourage you to learn more about The Trustees on our website, www.thetrustees.org.

Posting Information:

Salary/Hourly Rate: $20.00 - $23.00 per hour

Hours per week: 10 - 20 hours per week

Job Classification: Nonexempt, Part-Time, Limited Term

Job Type: Onsite

Duration: February - September, hours vary by season with the option to work limited hours in the off season

Location: New Bedford and Fall River, MA

What You’ll Do:

Your Impact:

Do you have a personal passion for getting people connected to nature and the outdoors? As an Outdoor Educator, you will work with the Mobile Engagement team to support the Trustees' mission to increase conservation awareness and engagement with the southeastern Massachusetts communities of New Bedford and Fall River.

The Role:

As an Outdoor Educator, you will support the Mobile Engagement Unit, an initiative focused on connecting urban youth with urban green space. You will develop and implement pop up style nature-based play, recreational, educational, and public programming with a focus on connecting people to nature. Employing a “food truck” model and leveraging the unique natural resources of a variety of Trustees properties on the south coast, you will engage and inspire children to play outdoors, understand their connection to nature, develop connection to place, and foster a life-long love of the outdoors.  

You will be responsible for aiding in the planning, marketing, managing and execution of a robust seasonal schedule of community-based events targeted to children and families. These events may occur both indoors and outdoors depending on weather and time of year. Programming will occur at a variety of places including but not limited to partner sites, city parks, gardens, community events and festivals, and Trustees properties. All programming occurs outdoors or at rain sites during the Summer. The educator will help increase visitor awareness of select properties and the Trustees in the targeted area and achieve engagement goals. 

Specifically, you’ll:

• Develop and deliver quality pop-up style nature-based play and recreational activities 

• Manage content development, logistics, and safety while providing an excellent learning experience for families, children, and adults 

• Ability to drive commercial van to events  

• Assist with the recruitment and training of volunteers 

• Assist in the marketing and publicizing of all programs  

• Coordinate with community partners 

• Maintain program equipment 

• Manage unit metrics and data collection for programs 

• Represent The Trustees in a variety of forums 

• Passion for working with children and families 

• Other duties as required 

This is a part-time, limited term, nonexempt position, working 10 - 20 hours per week, reporting directly to the Mobile Engagement Unit Manager.

Requirements

What You’ll Need:

Skills and Experience:

• A passion for the outdoors and a desire to work with children 
• Excellent visitor experience/customer service skills  
• Experience or an interest working within natural or reactional spaces, nature education, ecology, and conservation 
• The position requires a strong comfort level driving of a commercial vehicle and access to a motor vehicle is necessary
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including public speaking 
• A strong commitment to the mission of The Trustees of Reservations 
• Availability to work nights and weekends 
• Must be willing to work outside during all weather conditions, the position requires a significant amount of outdoor work in variable weather and terrain 
• Ability to lift 40 lbs
• Bilingual candidates are strongly preferred 

Eligibility Criteria:

• Current authorization to work in the United States – a candidate must have such authorization by his or her first day of employment.

• A valid driver’s license, as well as a satisfactory driving record as outlined in The Trustees’ driving policy.

• A satisfactory criminal background (CORI) check.

• Active American Red Cross CPR/First Aid or Wilderness First Responder Certificate orwillingness to acquire certification

Don’t quite have all the skills and experience listed above? We still want to hear from you! Research shows that historically marginalized groups are less likely to apply if they do not meet every single requirement. We are committed to building a diverse team and encourage you to apply even if you are missing some of the skills and experience above.

Questions? Contact our People team at people@thetrustees.org

Benefits

Your Benefits:

• Sick Time: 40 hours of paid sick time upfront. 

• Reciprocity: Employees have access to free and discounted admission and membership to more than 50 nearby museums and cultural institutions.   

• Discounts: Enjoy free entry to all Trustees properties, discount event tickets, and discounted merchandise at our stores and on stays at our inns.  

Equal Opportunity and Diversity:

The Trustees is a proud equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any protected status including, but not limited to, age, race, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual preferences, nation of origin, religion, or disability status and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with varying abilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants. We aspire to reflect and effectively serve the residents and communities of Massachusetts, who are at the core of our mission.

The Trustees’ commitment to advancing the organization’s vision for this work may be found here: Diversity, Belonging, Inclusion and Equity.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible work environment. To request reasonable accommodations during the application or interview process, please contact us at people@thetrustees.org_._