Environmental Education & Communications Associate Job Overview: This is a multi-faceted job that requires strong, detail-oriented writing skills. Primary duties include grant writing and reporting, social media posting, email communications, organization and advertising of educational programs and events, and donor relations. Being comfortable outdoors is a must. Additional duties include animal care, becoming familiar with the local environment, conservation work, and teaching environmental education over time (more details below). There will be job training by management.  

Requirements: The position requires a self-directed learner with 1-5 years of experience. The ideal candidate will thrive in a collaborative and flexible work environment. They should enjoy working outdoors, possess strong attention to detail, and demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills. The candidate must be adaptable and able to pivot quickly as priorities, schedules, weather conditions, and organizational needs change. They should be socially confident, willing to embrace new challenges, and eager to learn and apply new skills in a dynamic conservation and environmental education setting. To be considered, a four-year degree is required (recommended degrees below). Salary will be commensurate with experience and skills.   

Compensation:  

• Salary: $40,000-$55,000 
• Benefits: Medical & Dental 50% match  
• Retirement Benefits: Up to a 4% match for contributed funds to either pre-or post- tax retirement accounts  
• Vacation Time: Two weeks & three personal days, plus organizational seasonal closures  

Details of Responsibilities: 

Administrative:  

• Social media postings 
• Program advertising, record keeping, and booking  
• Online and website postings 
• Prepare eblasts and flyers 
• Prepare spreadsheets 
• Help support fundraisers  
• Help prepare Board presentations, reports, and attend Board meetings  
• Help prepare and support newsletter production 
• Donor management, tracking & correspondence 
• Grant administration & writing. 

Environmental Education 

• Educate participants from PreK to adults 
• Schedule, set up, and clean up programming 
• Prepare program supply inventory 

Naturalist 

• Feed & care for animals 
• Inventory and order animal care supplies  
• Remove invasive plants & care for native ones  
• Fence, water, and plant native plants 
• Work with and occasionally lead volunteers and interns on Westmoreland Sanctuary’s (WS) conservation goals 
• Trail work 

Note: The above job details are not a complete list of responsibilities. Responsibilities shift based on time of year, demand of the organization, and personal expertise.  

• Recommended degrees: One or more of the following BS or BA degrees: Education, English, Journalism, Biology, Organic Chemistry, Geology, Environmental Science, Environmental Education, Wildlife Conservation & Biology, or Forestry. Bilingual capabilities are a plus. 
• Additional Skills & Training that will be considered a plus:   
• Software & Platforms: Canva, Microsoft Office, Excel, WordPress, Instagram, Facebook, QuickBooks, Photoshop, Mailchimp, Bloomerang, GIS.  
• Outdoor Skills: chainsaw work, fire building, first aid, mower and weed whipper (training provided). 

Organizational Overview  

Mission Statement:  

“Westmoreland Sanctuary’s mission is to acquire, establish and maintain, for the free use, enjoyment, and appreciation of the public, a tract or tracts of land, including woodland and streams...to promote nature appreciation, preservation and conservation generally, for the present and future benefit and enjoyment of the public and to establish and maintain... exhibition rooms for the display of botanical, geological and other specimens found in the area of the Sanctuary...”  

Certificate of Incorporation of Westmoreland Sanctuary, Inc. Dated March 16, 1957 

Governance Structure:  

Westmoreland Sanctuary (WS) is an independent public charitable organization and does not operate within a larger regional, state, or national organization. There are currently four full-time staff that include the Executive Director, Director of Conservation and General Manager, Environmental Administrator, and Environmental Educator. WS is currently governed by 14 volunteer Board Members.   

Service Area:  

WS services culturally diverse communities throughout the Lower Hudson Valley, New York City, the Bronx, and parts of Connecticut (Stamford, Darien, and Greenwich). Westchester is the primary area of service. WS works with local public and private schools, community organizations, and corporate organizations. WS does not discriminate based on age, gender, socio-economic status, religion, or disability. Westmoreland services approximately 12,000 program participants yearly through educational programming, seasonal events, free museum access, and recreational opportunities. Our primary demographic is youth, pre-K through seventh grade. Additionally, there are 15,000-25,000 passive visitors each year. In June 2021, WS began building the Environmental Education Center (EEC) with geothermal heating and cooling, and educational and handicap resources not previously available. Resources are developed to foster environmental stewardship and provide learning opportunities for families and individuals of all ages with diverse backgrounds and needs. Museum access is free to the public all year. WS is open seven days a week, year-round. 

History:  

Helen Clay Frick founded Westmoreland Sanctuary in 1957. In the early years of the organization, only one naturalist was working at Westmoreland Sanctuary to maintain the property and offer educational guided nature hikes to the public. In 1976, when our Nature Museum was erected, the organization began formalizing educational programs for local school districts.