Lead Teacher Naturalist

Ijams Nature Center; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 35,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid time off (vacation & sick leave)

Paid holidays

403(b) retirement match

Staff discount at gift shop

Free paddleboard/kayak rentals

Navitat experience

Job summary

Ijams Nature Center in Knoxville, TN is seeking a Lead Teacher Naturalist to develop, coordinate, implement, and evaluate engaging outdoor education programs for diverse audiences. You will lead place-based, student-centered experiences across East TN to build community and enhance environmental understanding.

The role includes teaching, curriculum development, mentoring summer staff, and collaborating with Public and Youth Programs to expand program reach and impact.

Qualifications

• Experience in outdoor education or environmental education preferred.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills.
• Ability to design engaging place-based learning experiences.

Responsibilities

• Teach and lead on-site and off-site educational programs for multiple audiences.
• Develop high-quality curriculum for various programs.
• Lead and mentor summer camp counselors.
• Present live animal programs with proper care of Animal Ambassadors.
• Support program evaluation and progress tracking.
• Assist with grant proposals and reporting within the Education Department.

Job description

The Lead Teacher Naturalist is responsible for developing, coordinating, implementing, and evaluating engaging outdoor experiential education programs for a wide variety of audiences. The Lead Teacher Naturalist will provide programming using Ijams Nature Center’s educational approach to providing high quality programming in the East TN region that is relevant, impactful, and builds community through place-based, student-centered, and multi-layered experiences.

Compensation/Benefits Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. The salary range for this position is $34,500 - $37,500. The position offers health insurance including medical, dental and vision; paid vacation and sick leave; paid holidays; and a 403(b) retirement fund match. Additional benefits include a staff discount at the gift shop, free paddleboard and kayak rentals at Meads Quarry, and one free Navitat experience (scheduled based on availability).

This position works within multiple streams of environmental education at Ijams:

• Public Adult/Family Programs: Collaborate with Public Programs Manager to create and revise educational and engaging opportunities for the public, including adults and families. Teach and lead evening programs (owl prowl, night walks, meteor shower programs, etc.), animal outreach programs, adventure-based education programs (river kayaking, caving, hiking), community science programs, educational events, sustainability workshops, and natural history programs (fall fungi, plants, edible plants, winter tree ID, birding for beginners, bird banding, reptiles and amphibians, mammals, etc.)
• Youth Programs: Collaborate with Youth Programs Manager to create and revise educational, service-learning, and homeschool opportunities for students and their teachers. Teach and lead field trips, homeschool, school break camps, and other youth programming for ages 3-18 years of age.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Teach and lead on-site and off-site educational programs for all Education branches (as listed above)
• Assist with the development of high-quality curriculum for various programs
• Teach/Lead camp programs throughout the year
• Mentor and assist with training for summer camp counselors
• Present live animal programs, ensuring the proper handling and care of Ijams Animal Ambassadors (rehabilitated wild animals)
• Complete training as required on educational teaching techniques, natural history topics, risk management, and curriculum development
• Participate in professional development on best practices in environmental education and environmental interpretation
• Present environmental topics and lead educational activities at community events, education fairs, educational conferences, and other outreach opportunities to market programs and expand engagement opportunities with the public

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist Youth and Public Programs Managers with part-time naturalist/volunteer training and curriculum development
• Assist Animal Care Coordinator with tasks related to the care of the Ijams Animal Ambassadors; tasks include but not limited to feeding, cleaning enclosures, and handling small raptors, reptiles and mammals, etc.
• Track program participation and feedback
• Help to curate content for social media and print marketing/advertising
• Assist with proper recording and tracking of program expenses within the Education Department budget
• Assist with the preparation of information for grant proposals and and ongoing grant reporting
• Complete other duties, reasonably related to the position, as assigned at the discretion of the Education Director