Nature Center Lead & Environmental Education Coordinator

Cook County Government; River Forest (IL); On-site; USD 62,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage

Pension Plan and Deferred Compensation

Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time

PSLF eligibility

Job summary

Forest Preserve District of Cook County in Illinois seeks a qualified leader to coordinate staff and operations at a Nature Center within the Conservation & Experiential Programming (CEP) department. You will supervise staff, plan programs, manage budgets, and support ambassador animals while collaborating with district teams to deliver interpretive experiences.

You will present programs, engage diverse communities, and help advance CEP's interpretive plan across multiple locations, including

Qualifications

• Must possess a bachelor’s degree or higher in education, natural or environmental sciences, outdoor recreation, business or arts administration, urban planning, communications or a substantially similar area from an accredited college or university AND at least four years of work experience in education, nature education, outdoor recreation, ambassador animal, or other similar programming OR an associate’s degree in education, natural or environmental sciences, outdoor recreation, business or arts administration, urban planning, communications or a substantially similar area from an accredited college or university AND at least six years of work experience in education, nature education, outdoor recreation, ambassador animal, or other similar programming. OR a high-school diploma or GED AND at least ten years of work experience in education, nature education, outdoor recreation, ambassador animal, or other similar programming.

Responsibilities

• Provides input into the development and implementation of the Forest Preserves and the Nature Center’s programs, public engagement, and community outreach activities at the assigned Nature Center.
• Delivers interpretive and outdoor recreation programming at the Nature Center, at other FPCC locations and off site at schools, libraries, parks, and other locations.
• Co-directs community engagement and outreach programming efforts at the assigned nature center.
• Supports the team cohesion, training and development of all nature center staff.
• Assists with developing content for the Program Guide, brochures, displays, and any other interpretive media.
• Assists with coordinating and overseeing all nature center operations to provide the highest quality visitor experience.

Skills

Staff supervision

Public engagement

Environmental education

Community outreach

Education

Bachelor's degree

Associate's degree

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Forest Preserve District of Cook County in Illinois seeks a qualified leader to coordinate staff and operations at a Nature Center within the Conservation & Experiential Programming (CEP) department. You will supervise staff, plan programs, manage budgets, and support ambassador animals while collaborating with district teams to deliver interpretive experiences.

You will present programs, engage diverse communities, and help advance CEP's interpretive plan across multiple locations, including