Program Overview: Led by the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education (CAEE), the Environmental Education Corps (eeCorps) AmeriCorps Program places AmeriCorps members at organizations throughout Colorado to focus on increasing environmental literacy for PreK-12 students and implementing the goals outlined in the Colorado Environmental Education Plan. eeCorps works directly with teachers, schools, and environmental education providers to support them in expanding reach and increasing impact of EE programming, while providing access to equitable learning experiences for all PreK-12 students. AmeriCorps members serving with the eeCorps provide direct service to improve outcomes in Environmental Stewardship and Education. AmeriCorps provides opportunities to improve lives and foster civic engagement all across the country.

Service Site Overview: This position will be located at Denver Audubon in Littleton, CO. Denver Audubon inspires actions that protect birds, other wildlife, and their habitats through education, conservation, and research. We connect people to nature with programs in schools, local parks, libraries, and at our Nature Center.

Service Position Summary: The Environmental Educator will teach science, environmental education, and conservation to students in grades pre-K-12 both in classrooms and our Nature Center. They will collaborate with the education team to develop and enhance curriculum, develop interpretive displays, and implement program evaluation. They will facilitate programs including nature-based preschool, bird banding, owl programs, nature hikes, and pond explorations.

Essential Functions (Primary Responsibilities): eeCorps members engage with their Host Site organizations to develop, implement, and enhance programs, projects, and activities that will create progress towards eeCorps’ and Denver Audubon’s goals. These duties include:

• Instruct hands-on science, environmental education, and conservation classes for K-12 school groups, youth programs, and community programs 2-3 days per week throughout the school year
• Facilitate learning, exploration, and play for outdoor, nature-based preschool 2-3 days per week throughout the school year
• Collaborate with the education team to develop, enhance, and implement curricula, interpretive displays, and educational materials
• Teach week-long summer camps for elementary students focused on wildlife, watersheds, birds, and nature
• Develop and teach winter and spring break camp programs for elementary students
• Encourage stewardship through enthusiasm, knowledge, and passion for birds, other wildlife, and habitats
• Foster a positive and inclusive learning environment that encourages curiosity, critical thinking, and environmental stewardship
• Inspire connections to nature and the outdoors in young people
• Track progress and collect evaluation data for the program’s performance measures
• Attend all required eeCorps/AmeriCorps orientations, meetings, and trainings
• Complete and submit all necessary eeCorps paperwork and reports by predetermined deadlines
• Some local travel required and occasional statewide travel possible

Marginal Functions (Secondary Responsibilities):

• Support large public events hosted by Denver Audubon

Physical, Emotional, and Intellectual Demands: 

• Extensive public contact including individuals, small groups, and large groups. 
• Multiple service settings may exist (inside offices or buildings, outdoors on trails, adjacent to ponds/rivers, in classrooms)
• Extensive outdoor service (up to 8 hours at a time) in possibly adverse weather conditions including rain, snow, heat, and high winds.
• At times strenuous outdoor service includes hiking, walking, carrying, and kneeling
• Maneuver supplies weighing up to 30 pounds in and out of vehicles, and over uneven terrain at program sites
• Must be able to navigate trails with uneven terrain and present programs (which may involve periods of standing, crouching, bending, wading in water up to 12” deep, etc.) for up to 4 hours at a time; accommodation needs may be discussed on an individual basis
• Occasional weekend and evening work will be required, may include unlit night-time activities 

Qualifications:

• Passionate commitment to youth development and environmental / conservation / science education
• Experience or strong interest in teaching in informal settings such as nature centers and camps
• Preferred: Three (3) months of verified experience in the care and supervision of school-age children (i.e. summer camp, before and after school)
• Experience or interest in working with ages 3-5 in informal, outdoor settings
• Commitment to continuous growth
• Team player: fun, outgoing, passionate, organized, creative, resourceful, critical thinker, results-oriented, and self-motivated
• Passionate about Denver Audubon's mission
• Ethic of national and community service and a strong desire to create positive change
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; computer literate
• High school diploma or GED required
• At least 18 years old at start of service
• Reliable transportation and proof of auto insurance required
• Must pass National Service Criminal History Checks (NSOPW, State, and FBI)
• U.S. Citizen, National, or Lawful Permanent Resident status required 

Term of Service: This is a full-time national and community service position requiring a minimum of 1,700 hours during the year (approximately 35-40 hours/week). Typical schedule is Monday-Friday, 8am-4pm. Flexible hours are required, including occasional evening, early morning, and weekend commitments. The position begins 9/1/26 and ends 8/15/27. 

Training and Support Provided: eeCorps members receive significant training and experience in community engagement, project implementation, leadership, diverse populations, and more. Up to 20% of total hours served may be spent in applicable approved training and professional development. Members will be supervised and supported by Kristen Peterka (Kristen@denveraudubon.org), Denver Audubon Director of Education, as well as by Erin Dreps (americorps@caee.org), eeCorps Program Coordinator. The 2026-27 cohort of eeCorps members serving throughout the region will act as additional resources and support for each other.

Location and Service Conditions: This position will be based at the Denver Audubon Kingery Nature Center at 11280 Waterton Rd, Littleton, CO 80125 and at the Denver Audubon offices at 11338 Waterton Rd, Littleton, CO 80125 (across the street from the Nature Center). Service will be performed at the Nature Center and at other partner schools, parks, community centers, and libraries in Jefferson, Douglas, Arapahoe, and Denver counties.

Benefits:

• Biweekly (two times per month) living allowance of $956.52. Taxes are deducted and the living allowance is distributed by direct deposit to the member’s bank account.
• $325/month housing stipend
• Health insurance
• Child care assistance, if eligible
• An education award of $7,395 upon successful completion of term of service. 
• It is possible to defer student loans while serving as an AmeriCorps member.
• Loan forbearance for eligible student loans.
• Mileage reimbursement for eeCorps-required travel.
• Non-tangible benefits including extensive training, valuable experience, networking, and the opportunity to serve the local community in a crucial area of need.
• Ability to participate in regional EE leadership councils; option to obtain CAEE’s nationally-recognized Professional Environmental Educator Certification.

Diversity and Equal Opportunity: This program is available to all, without discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex (including gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), religion, age, national origin, genetic information, disability, military status, familial status, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Reasonable accommodation will be provided as needed for applications, interviews, and service.