Climate Education Fellow

Mass Audobon; Lincoln (MA); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

13 paid holidays

Medical, dental, vision plans

MetLife retirement plan

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Job summary

Mass Audubon invites applications for a Climate Education Fellow within the Education and Engagement Team. This hybrid role supports youth climate action programs and climate justice education across Massachusetts, collaborating with educators, community partners, and sanctuary staff.

You will help design and evaluate educational initiatives, coordinate with schools, and promote equitable access to nature and climate learning opportunities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree by start of fellowship is required.
• Community engagement and environmental education experience is valued.
• Experience with youth civic action programs is preferred.
• Strong writing and speaking abilities are essential.
• Familiarity with equity-based pedagogy and climate justice education is expected.
• Ability to work with diverse communities and travel as needed.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate communications across Education and Engagement teams and support program strategy.
• Assist with development of K-12 and out-of-school time climate education programs.
• Support youth climate leadership initiatives and climate justice projects.
• Contribute to creating and distributing program materials for teachers and students.
• Participate in statewide staff meetings and professional development sessions.
• Uphold Mass Audubon risk management and safeguarding guidelines.

Skills

Excellent writing and speaking skills

Strong organizational skills

Culturally responsive teaching

Climate justice education knowledge

Microsoft Office proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree by start of fellowship

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

About Mass Audubon

Mass Audubon is the largest nature-based conservation organization in New England. Founded in 1896 by two women who fought for the protection of birds, Mass Audubon carries on their legacy by focusing on the greatest challenges facing the environment today: the loss of biodiversity, inequitable access to nature, and climate change. With the help of our 160,000 members and supporters, we protect wildlife, conserve and restore resilient land, advocate for impactful environmental policies, offer nationally recognized education programs for adults and children, and provide endless opportunities to experience the outdoors at our wildlife sanctuaries. Explore, find inspiration, and take action at massaudubon.org.

About This Position

Mass Audubon is committed to creating a more diverse, equitable, inclusive, and just organization and to providing greater access to nature for everyone. Part of this work requires us to address the historic inequities within the environmental and conservation fields, which is why we launched the Environmental Fellowship Program for Early Careers (EFP). The EFP is a unique program designed to increase pathways into environmental professions for people whose identities have been historically underrepresented. Each 14-month fellowship is hosted within one of four departments/teams: Land Conservation, Conservation Science, Nature in the City, or Environmental Education. Our fellows will tackle some of the most pressing environmental concerns of our time while working with a passionate and dedicated team of professionals. In addition to professional experience, the fellows are given opportunities for networking, mentoring, and skill development within a supportive cohort model.

Mass Audubon’s Action Agenda is a five-year plan to address the rapid loss of wildlife habitat, inequitable access to nature, and the threat of climate change. Environmental Education and Community Engagement are key strategies in achieving goals focused on increasing equitable and inclusive access to nature across Massachusetts. The Climate Education Fellow will be part of the Education and Engagement Team, a hybrid role based out of one of Mass Audubon sanctuaries and will have the opportunity to play a key role in educational program planning, implementation, and evaluation. Working with educators throughout the state, they will support our programs focused on youth climate organizing and programming with high school age students, both within school curricula and in out-of-school settings. The goal of these programs is to increase the capacity of high school age youth to lead action towards a healthy, just and resilient society in the age of climate change. Within this area of work, our programs include the Youth Climate Leadership Program, the Climate Democracy Project, and the Climate Resilient Schools Coalition. We will work with the Fellow to find the right fit between his/her/their skill set and interests and the specific program(s) they will support. Depending on that choice, work might include coaching for young people, facilitation of regular groups meetings, curriculum development, help organizing youth summits or showcases of action projects, place-based support for student action, or other work located at the nexus between civic and science education and focused on climate justice.

Responsibilities

Primary duties and responsibilities will be divided between your work with the Education and Engagement team, outlined below (80%) and your own professional development, cohort connections, mentoring, and professional projects or research (20%). Specific responsibilities will include:

• Provide organizational support for the Climate Democracy Project (CDP), Youth Climate Leadership Program, or Climate Resilient Schools Coalition. Work will include: coordinating communications among team members; acting as a resource for students and teachers engaged in the programs; helping co-create the strategy and direction for the program; helping with climate summits, lobby day and other events; and/or coaching groups of students.
• Support connections between these three programs: the Youth Climate Leadership Program (YCLP) – a club-based program for teens focused on climate action projects; theClimate Democracy Project – a year-long in-school program in which our educators partner with students, teachers, and community members to engage in civic action around climate justice; and the Climate Resilient Schools Coalition – a grassroots organizing coalition focused on strengthening resilience policy in school districts
• Support staff in developing written materials such as newsletters, bulletins and updates, resources for teachers, unit guides, etc.
• Assist with creation and implementation of K-12 and out of school time programs related to climate change, utilizing best practices in culturally responsive environmental education
• Work with a cross disciplinary team of educators, managers and other wildlife sanctuary staff to prepare and conduct activities for community engagement and educational initiatives, with an emphasis on connecting with marginalized communities
• Attend and actively participate in statewide and regional staff meetings, professional learning communities, and professional development trainings related to your area of focus
• Maintain the safety of all participants and staff as a priority and maintain strong accountability to Mass Audubon’s risk management policies, child-environment guidelines, and all pertinent licensing regulations and accreditation standards
• Effectively communicate and represent Mass Audubon’s mission, vision, and programs to students, teachers, visitors, members, and community members

Qualifications

At Mass Audubon, our highest priority is finding the best candidate for the job. Research has shown that people of color and women are less likely to apply for jobs if they don’t believe they meet every one of the qualifications described in a job description. We encourage you to apply, even if you don’t believe you meet every one of our described qualifications or you have a less traditional background. We are looking for applicants with the following qualifications:

Must Haves

• Must obtain a Bachelor’s degree by the start of the fellowship. Degrees or fields of study especially suitable for this work include: Biology, Education, Environmental Sciences, Environmental Studies and Sustainability, Ecology, Earth Science, or related field
• Strongly values the critical role that community engagement and environmental education programs play in helping to build healthy, vibrant and equitable communities
• Experience as a youth climate leader and/or working with youth civic action programs.
• Excellent writing and speaking skills
• Familiarity with and passion for culturally responsive teaching and/or other equity-based pedagogy
• Familiarity with climate justice education and/or communication best practices
• A growth mindset, with the ability to be self-reflective and an eagerness to improve one’s own skills.
• Strong organizational skills, including prioritizing and follow through with tasks, listening to input from team members and community members, synthesizing information from a wide array of sources, problem solving on a day to day and long-term basis, and the ability to move a project forward with input from others
• Solid skills in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook)

Nice to Haves

• Knowledge of local natural history, conservation, and climate-related issues
• Knowledge of local (Massachusetts or New England-based) social justice organizations and change-makers
• Experience designing and delivering climate change and climate justice education programming or equivalent
• Experience leading middle and/or high school educational experiences
• Valid driver’s license, and willingness to travel throughout the state
• First Aid and CPR (child and adult) certification (training provided upon hire, if needed)

Compensation, Benefits and Perks

This position’s pay range is $50,000-$55,000/year; actual salary will reflect level of experience and qualifications relative to position requirements.

Benefits eligible staff at Mass Audubon may elect to enroll in medical, dental, and vision plans. Mass Audubon also offers disability and life insurance plans, a retirement plan through MetLife, and Flexible Spending Account options. Mass Audubon employment also includes access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and the Reciprocity Agreement through the Consortium of Non-Profit Arts/Cultural/Environmental Organizations of New England. Mass Audubon employees also enjoy 13 paid holidays (holidays may shift annually due to where days fall within calendar).

Work Schedule

Full time schedule of 40 hours, Monday through Friday.

Other Requirements

Employees must successfully complete a CORI and SORI Background Check and a Motor Vehicle Record (if applicable) is required.

Mass Audubon’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Justice

Mass Audubon embraces diversity and equal opportunity in a serious way. We are dedicated to forming a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. People of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

Mass Audubon’s mission is to “protect the nature of Massachusetts for people and for wildlife” by building a strong coalition of employees, volunteers, and community members. We recognize that the environmental movement and field of conservation have been affected by societal systems that have limited opportunity and access for many people. As a result, Mass Audubon is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. We are engaged in an ongoing process of organizational assessment and change, designed to remove barriers and create a workplace where all forms of diversity are recognized and valued.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Mass Audubon is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. Mass Audubon prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.