North Branch Nature Center, Montpelier
Environmental Educator
half-time

The North Branch Nature Center are looking for a half-time AmeriCorps member to fill a service opportunity based at the North Branch Nature Center in Montpelier, Vermont.  The North Branch Nature Center is a new organization dedicated to offering natural history programs to residents of and visitors to Central Vermont. We are seeking dynamic, motivated applicants who love teaching people about the natural environment and are interested in community service. This is an exciting opportunity to be involved with a new organization that has operated for the last 10 years as a regional center of the Vermont Institute of Natural Science.

Our AmeriCorps member will help with an array of diverse projects and programs. As an AmeriCorps member you will:

Teach natural history programs to children, adults and school groups; help to coordinate the first Montpelier BioBlitz; help lead nature walks & visitor programs; develop and/or revise educational programs, materials, and displays; co-develop, coordinate, and teach vacation and summer day camps; develop and implement special projects; help coordinate and recruit NBNC volunteers; represent the North Branch Nature Center at community events and fairs; represent NBNC in a professional manner; complete administrative and other tasks as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

• Some teaching experience and strong public speaking skills; high comfort level working outside with groups; general knowledge of New England natural history; strong writing skills; ability to work independently and as part of a team; strong organizational skills and work ethic; self-starter with strong initiative and follow through; willingness to work evenings and weekends; strong knowledge of word processing and Excel; experience with desktop publishing a plus; enthusiasm for working with teachers and students in grades K-12; a Bachelor’s degree in education, natural resources, or a related field; U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or lawful permanent resident alien of U.S.; willingness to comply with federal regulations requiring us to do a background criminal check on AmeriCorps members working with children.

Start and End Dates: February 1, 2008 –August 22, 2008

Benefits:  $6,790 Living Allowance; $3,262 education award; eligible for health insurance (member does not have to pay monthly premium), loan forbearance, and training opportunities

Application Deadline: December 31st, 2007

To Apply:

All parts are required and will not be considered unless the application is complete: Send a cover letter, a completed AmeriCorps application, a résumé, 2 letters of reference, and a list of 3 references to:

Chip Darmstadt, North Branch Nature Center

713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VT 05602

Tel: (802) 229-6206

E-mail: chip@NorthBranchNatureCenter.org                                                   (over)                                                                                                                                               

Your letters of reference and reference list may overlap, but do not need to.  In your cover letter, please respond to the following questions:

1)     Explain relevant work and/or personal experiences you have had that would qualify you for an environmental education position at the North Branch Nature Center.

2)     Describe the skills and talents that you could contribute to this position.

3)     Describe the experiences and skills you wish to gain from this opportunity.

AmeriCorps applications are downloadable from the Vermont Community Stewardship webpage at http://www.vhcb.org/vcsp.html. You may also request a hard copy from the North Branch Nature Center.

Additional information on AmeriCorps is available at www.americorps.org. The Vermont Housing Conservation Board (VHCB) is sponsoring this AmeriCorps position through their Vermont Community Stewardship Program. The Friends of the North Branch Nature Center and VHCB are Equal Opportunity Employers. All Friends of the North Branch Nature Center, VHCB, AmeriCorps, and Vermont Community Stewardship Program positions are open to all applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnicity, disability, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, political affiliation, veteran’s status, religion or creed.