Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation, Williamstown, MA, https://www.wrlf.org
Dietze Interpretive Center at Sheep Hill
Seasonal, full-time 10-12 week interpreter position beginning in mid-June 2013
Involves weekend and evening hours
The Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation is a small non-profit land conservation trust in western Massachusetts working to preserve the rural New England character of the region.
The WRLF is looking for a seasonal summer interpreter to help launch the newly established Dietze Interpretive Center at their headquarters, a former small farm known as Sheep Hill.
The WRLF is a community destination for outdoor activities, natural and cultural history, and quality nature education programming. The position will offer the opportunity to implement interpretive programming and expand educational offerings, as well as to develop materials and exhibits in the center. The WRLF believes that educational programming should engage a broader audience to learn about and experience the work of the WRLF, its preserved lands, their human history and their ecosystems
Essential Functions
- The Dietze Interpretive Center at Sheep Hill is a new facility established in 2012 offering candidates the opportunity to develop and implement new programs, displays, and information and integrate the facility into existing WRLF and other community programming. Specific duties include:
- Develop and implement the interpretive center programs including traditional and electronic display information, activities, and public engagement for a broad audience of children, adults, and families, including a schedule of outings to WRLF properties
- Help to develop and implement the program needs to be reflected in the WRLF annual budget.
- Assist as needed with the development, supervision, and coordination of existing nature education programs and public events
- Ensure quality and consistency of programs through routine evaluation.
- Cooperate with the permanent staff as needed for grant proposal submissions, marketing efforts, including newsletter articles, and annual program reports. Develop and maintain a strong rapport with the education community, including schools if appropriate, other environmental education organizations, and regional partners.
Qualifications
- Bachelors or preferably Masters Degree from an accredited college or university in environmental education, natural history interpretation, environmental science, land management or closely related field.
- Experience with inquiry based hands-on science methods.
- Demonstrated success at leadership and staff management.
- Excellent teacher/naturalist skills and knowledge of the natural history of the New England region, and plant and animal identification skills highly desired
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to engage with all age groups
- Strong skills in public speaking, writing, and computers. Skills in multimedia and graphic arts desired
- Highly motivated and organized detail-oriented individual with the ability to work independently or as a team player on multiple tasks.
- Must maintain a valid driver’s license and have reliable transportation.
- First aid training desirable.
- Must be able to work outdoors in all weather conditions
- All WRLF employees must submit to a background check
Compensation range is $600-$900 weekly, commensurate with experience
Please send a letter of interest, a resume, and contact information for 3 references by 10 April 2013 to:
Leslie Reed-Evans, Executive Director Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation
671 Cold Spring Road Williamstown, MA 01267
413-458-2494