Biodiversity Builders seeks to hire a Program Leader for Summer 2026

Massachusetts Environmental Education Society; Arlington (MA); Hybrid; USD 30,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

Massachusetts Environmental Education Society seeks a Program Leader for the Biodiversity Builders program in Summer 2026. The role entails delivering outdoor, hands-on environmental education to high school youth and coordinating field trips, community events, and student-led projects.

You will recruit and supervise college mentors, liaise with partners, and help track participation and program outcomes. Requires strong communication, leadership, and planning skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience may substitute.
• 2–5 years of experience in environmental education or program management.
• Knowledge of native plant gardening, environmental science, ecology, and environmental justice.

Responsibilities

• Deliver experiential outdoor and science-based curriculum to high school youth.
• Train, supervise, and guide college mentors and high school students.
• Collaborate with community organizations to align program with community needs.

Skills

Communication

Public speaking

Outdoor leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science Education Biology or related field

Job description

Biodiversity BuildersSM Youth Environmental Education Program seeks to hire a Program Leader for Summer 2026

Biodiversity BuildersSM (BB) is a paid, environmental education program designed to inspire and empower high school youth to make a positive ecological impact in their communities. Over six weeks in summer, students from Cambridge, Belmont & Arlington, guided by the BB program leader and two college mentors, learn how to: design, plant and maintain native plant gardens, remove invasive plants, operate a business where they sell native plants, and advocate for nature-based solutions to environmental injustice and climate change.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

• Program Development & Delivery: Deliver the Biodiversity BuildersSM experiential environmental, outdoor, and science-based curriculum to high school youth.
• Leadership & Staff Management: Train, supervise, and guide college mentors and high school students.
• Partnership & Community Liaison: Collaborate with community organizations and stakeholders to align BB program with community needs.
• Operations & Logistics: Manage program schedules, and logistical planning for field trips, client projects, indoor instruction, and community events (such as the Moth Ball and the student-run Native Plant Sales Event).
• Promotion & Reporting: Market program through various media, track participation data, and assist in grant reporting, or fundraising efforts.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Education, Biology, or a related field. Equivalent work experience may substitute.
• Experience: 2–5 years of experience in environmental education (preferably to hs youth); program management, or staff supervision.
• Knowledge: Expertise in native plant gardening, environmental science, ecology, business (optional) and environmental justice.
• Skills: Exceptional communication, public speaking, and outdoor leadership skills.
• Certifications: CPR/First Aid certification desirable.

Core Competencies

• Passionate about nature-based solutions, environmental restoration and outdoor education.
• Ability to teach diverse youth.
• Comfortable managing risks during outdoor activities.
• Skilled at developing school-aligned programming (e.g., NGSS).

Must be able to commit to at least eight weeks, June 15 – 26 for training, and July 6 – Aug. 14 as leader.

Salary range $22.50 – $30/hour, commensurate with experience