Community Engagement Lead - Environmental Education & Programs

Audubon; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 37,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

National Audubon Society in Columbus, OH, seeks a Senior Associate, Community Building to connect communities with nature. You will design and lead environmental education programs, field trips, and camps, expanding public programming and stewardship across Central Ohio.

You will foster partnerships with schools, community groups, and volunteers, supporting outreach, events, and audience engagement while ensuring safety and program quality.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, education, natural resources, or related field.
• Three years of relevant experience in formal or informal education, environmental education, interpretation, visitor engagement, programming, outreach, or a related field.
• A basic familiarity with birds and native plants of the region and an enthusiasm for outdoor activities desired.
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills and the ability to engage and motivate diverse audiences.
• Familiarity with local schools, community organizations, and faith-based organizations in Central Ohio.
• Must be well organized and responsible with the ability to work i ndependently, as well as part of a team.
• Must have a strong desire to educate, engage, and connect diverse audiences of all ages, with an emphasis on youth, to Ohio’s natural resources in ways that inspire participation and action.
• Excellent customer service skills and the ability to interact positively with everyday visitors and program participants alike, serving as a role model.
• Must have sound judgment and the ability to recognize hazards in program settings, as well as signs of injury or illness among visitors and program participants.
• Be able to observe program attendee behavior, to respond verbally to health or safety concerns, and to deal appropriately with any improper behavior.
• Must be self-motivated, flexible and able to think strategically and creatively, multi-task, meet deadlines and work in a dynamic environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking and presentation, required.
• Experience working with multigenerational audiences and diverse cultural communities.
• Excellent organizational skills related to the instruction of children and families.
• High degree of personal initiative, flexibility, energy, and sound judgment when working with children.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Must be willing and able to work outdoors in various weather conditions and climb or traverse both paved and unpaved, uneven trails and be able to lift up to 25 pounds, bend, kneel, reach and twist with or without accommodation.
• Have current certification in First Aid and CPR or ability to acquire certification upon hire.
• Must have a valid driver's license to drive own vehicle to off-site programs and events throughout Columbus and occasionally Central Ohio.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead Conservation Classroom programs aligned with school standards, as well as field trips, Audubon Adventure summer camp, bird walks, sustainability building tours, and special events.
• Develop and lead public programming and events.
• Design and deliver stewardship programs and community engagement opportunities that connect diverse audiences to the Grange Insurance Audubon Center and other natural areas across Central Ohio.
• In partnership with GIAC management, build trusting, collaborative relationships with community partners and local leaders.
• Coordinate interns, externs, student capstone projects, episodic and long-term volunteers, lead volunteer workdays, and determine appropriate tasks while overseeing their conservation and community science on-site work
• Work with Engagement team to organize the monthly craft area.
• Responsible for program evaluations
• Work closely with the Manager, Community Building, Ohio Centers to develop outreach strategies and materials, including content for social media and promotional publications that highlight events and community partnerships.
• Ensure all grant deliverables are fully executed and actively support fundraising and donor cultivation.
• Representing Ohio Centers at speaker events including off site presentations, workshops and school programs.
• Lead and foster relationships with community partners.
• Work with GIAC Engagement staff to develop community outreach strategies and represent the center at meetings and offsite partner events.
• Ensure the safety of program participants and volunteers by complying with all Audubon safety policies and procedures.
• Maintain administrative documentation, communicate schedules, use appropriate administrative and program tools, and develop meeting agendas as needed.
• Assist with center daily operations (opening, closing, covering the front desk, and staff on duty) and basic facility needs including engaging with visitors at the front desk.
• Oversee and carry out animal care for all center ambassador animals, including feeding, cleaning, budget oversight, ordering food and supplies, coordinating veterinary care, renewing permits, and maintaining records.
• Support a culture of philanthropy, including public funding efforts.
• Collaborate with colleagues across the Americas including through joint planning and execution of shared priorities.
• Maintains and fosters culture of safety.
• Other job-related duties as assigned.

Skills

Community engagement

Public speaking

Interpersonal communication

Written communication

Outreach

Education programming

Education

Bachelor's degree in environmental studies, education, natural resources, or related field

Job description

National Audubon Society in Columbus, OH, seeks a Senior Associate, Community Building to connect communities with nature. You will design and lead environmental education programs, field trips, and camps, expanding public programming and stewardship across Central Ohio.

You will foster partnerships with schools, community groups, and volunteers, supporting outreach, events, and audience engagement while ensuring safety and program quality.