POSITION SUMMARY: NH Audubon is seeking a dynamic and visionary Director of Education to lead our educational initiatives, fostering a culture of environmental literacy and stewardship across New Hampshire. This strategic leader will oversee the development and implementation of innovative educational programs, manage a dedicated team of staff and volunteers, and cultivate relationships with key stakeholders, including schools, community groups, and grant funders. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of environmental education in our state and inspire the next generation of scientists and stewards.  

TITLE: Director of Education  

LOCATION: Primary office at NH Audubon Headquarters at the McLane Center in Concord. Also supervises staff at the Massabesic Center in Auburn and the Newfound Center in Hebron.  

HOURS: Monday-Friday, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm, one-hour lunch. Additional evening and weekend hours required as necessary.  

SCHEDULE: 35 hours per week, full-time exempt (salary paid) staff position. Schedule will vary according to programmatic and staffing needs.  

FUNCTION: This position will support the mission of New Hampshire Audubon, to protect New Hampshire’s natural environment for wildlife and for people, by leading and innovating NH Audubon’s environmental education initiatives, fostering environmental stewardship through strategic program development, stakeholder engagement, and effective team management. The role involves developing impactful educational programs, securing funding, and building strong partnerships to advance the organization's mission.  

LEADERSHIP: Reports to the NH Audubon President

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:   

Strategic Leadership and Program Development: (approximately 40%)

• Develop and implement a comprehensive environmental education strategy that aligns with NH Audubon’s mission and goals. 
• Lead the creation of innovative, engaging, and impactful educational programs and curricula for current and future audiences, incorporating Next Generation Science Standards and other best practices. 
• Identify emerging trends and opportunities in environmental education to ensure NH Audubon remains at the forefront of the field. 
• Develop department budget, approve expenses, collaborate with Communications staff to create and implement. marketing solutions to meet budgetary goals, and track progress toward fiscal year revenue targets.
• In collaboration with the Grants Manager, identify and pursue funding opportunities from foundations, corporations, and government agencies to support educational programs.  
• In collaboration with the Grants Manager write compelling grant proposals and reports that align with stakeholder needs and demonstrate program impact.  
• Track project implementation and usage of grant funds for all department grant funded projects.  

Staff Management: (approximately 30%)

• Recruit, train, and supervise a diverse team of year-round education staff, seasonal staff (indirectly), and volunteers, fostering a collaborative and inclusive work environment. 
• Provide ongoing professional development opportunities for staff to enhance their skills and knowledge. 
• Improve current systems for the lifecycle of programs from initial inquiry through scheduling to impact reporting. Manage and mitigate risks appropriately; train others to make safe decisions.   

Program Facilitation, Evaluation, and Reporting: (approximately 20%)

• Support School Programs Coordinator, Public Programs Coordinator, and Education Assistants with programmatic scheduling, facilitating programs for youth and adults as needed.   
• Support Camp Programs Manager with conflict resolution between campers, seasonal staff, and camp families/parents. Take an active role in developing, editing, and implementing staff training and policy manuals and facilitating seasonal staff training.
• Support Animal Programs Curator in establishing and implementing animal ambassador policies, individual care guidelines, renewing state and federal permits, acquiring new ambassadors, and training animal care volunteers and interns.  
• Establish metrics and evaluation tools to assess the efficacy of educational programs and impact tracking to fully communicate our education stories to the public.
• Prepare regular reports for internal and external audiences, highlighting successes, challenges, and opportunities for growth.  
• Use data and feedback to continuously improve program quality and relevance.  

Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Building: (approximately 10%)

• Build and maintain strong relationships with schools, community organizations, affinity groups, and other key stakeholders to expand the reach and impact of NH Audubon’s educational programs. 
• Serve as the primary liaison for the department and organization with school administrators and community leaders, advocating for environmental education initiatives. 
• Develop and manage partnerships with local, state, and national organizations to enhance program offerings and resources. 
• Collaborate with partner organizations to facilitate professional development opportunities for NH teachers and informal educators. 
• Represent NH Audubon at partner and stakeholder events.

WORKING CONDITIONS: NH Audubon’s work culture is characterized by excellent colleagues who share a collaborative spirit, commitment to mission, open communication, and high integrity.  Our offices are non-smoking, with both open workspaces and private offices.  

QUALIFICATIONS:  

Education: Bachelor’s degree in environmental education, science education, environmental science, or a related field required (master’s degree preferred).    

Experience:  

• Minimum of five years of experience in the environmental education field with an additional minimum of 3 years running a department that includes program development and staff management.
• Demonstrated success in building partnerships.
• Knowledge of NGSS and experience developing and evaluating effective science-based curricula. 
• Proven expertise in successfully leading and inspiring a diverse team of individuals with a range of skillsets. 
• Demonstrated leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills. 

Skills, Traits and Characteristics Necessary for Success:   

• Requires exceptional interpersonal and collaborative skills, attention to detail, financial acumen, superior problem-solving skills, and a high degree of organization.   
• Must have the ability to:  
• Prioritize and complete work tasks on time in a complex and dynamic workflow  
• Retain a positive attitude through demanding situations 
• Provide excellent customer service 
• Work and make sound decisions independently  
• Maintain a professional and courteous manner   
• Must have passion for environmental conservation and education. 
• Must be proficient in managing files within the Microsoft Office Suite.     

Physical Demands:   

• Capable of standing, stretching, bending, walking, lifting, and transporting a maximum of 25 pounds.  
• Must have the tolerance to spend time outdoors in variable weather conditions and in the presence of biting insects
• Ability to hike over varied terrain for short distances.   
• Must be able to climb stairs
• Must be physically and mentally capable of leading groups of children and adults in an outdoor setting, at times including moderate hiking.   
• Must have a valid driver’s license.  
• CPR and first aid certification required (training can be provided). 

COMPENSATION:   

• $55,000 - $60,000 annual salary, commensurate with experience.  
• This position is eligible for NH Audubon’s generous benefit package, including paid time off (13 holidays, vacation & sick time), medical plan, health reimbursement agreement, retirement account with employer match, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, a NH Audubon annual membership, access to pro deals, and paid professional development opportunities. 
• Mileage beyond normal commute reimbursed at current federal rate. 

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:  

NH Audubon is a welcoming, inclusive organization that is committed to ensuring people of all backgrounds and abilities are welcome and respected.  NH Audubon provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, age, sexual orientation or Vietnam Era/Disabled Veteran status, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, NH Audubon complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location where NH Audubon has facilities. 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.

How to Apply:  

Please email a resume detailing your education and pertinent employment background and cover letter describing your skills as it relates to the specific job duties listed and your passion and unique qualifications in the environmental education field to Jobs@nhaudubon.org with “Director of Education” in the subject line no later than September 14th at 11:59pm. Interviews with top candidates will be scheduled soon after.