Program Overview

This position is part of the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board AmeriCorps (VHCB AmeriCorps). The VHCB AmeriCorps program supports the innovative dual-goal approach of creating stable affordable housing opportunities for Vermont residents while preserving the natural and working landscape. VHCB AmeriCorps is a national service program that places members with non-profit housing or land conservation organizations around the state. Serving on the front lines of community-based organizations, VHCB AmeriCorps members energize, engage, and empower residents to address unmet needs at the local level, collectively creating positive change and building a healthy future for Vermont.

Host Site

This position is based at Audubon Center, 255 Sherman Hollow Road, Huntington, VT. The member will be supervised and supported by Debbie Archer, Education Program Manager, debbie.archer@audubon.org  .

Audubon protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow. Audubon Vermont and our supporters are building a better future for our state through conservation, youth leadership, education, community involvement, and by tapping into an active network that includes over 10,000 members, seven Vermont chapters-- including our newest Campus Chapter at the Vermont Law School-- and many respected partners in communities throughout Vermont and along the Atlantic Flyway. The Environmental Educator will help the team at Audubon Vermont lead programs for thousands of children and adults. Our member will grow their skills as a naturalist and teacher while they help us reach new and existing community members with engaging place-based programs at the Green Mountain Audubon Center and surrounding towns.

Essential Functions

• Teach year-round environmental education programs for audiences of all ages including Forest Playschool (3-5 year olds); Forest Classroom (6-11 year olds); public programming: nature playgroup, family programs, seasonal topic-based programs, monthly homeschool program, afterschool and school vacation camp.
• Teach outreach programs for adults and youth at their location for schools, camps, and other groups.
• Co-develop and teach summer environmental education youth day camps for 8 weeks supporting Audubon to reach up to 200 participants.
• Create lesson plans for environmental education programs and school-break vacation camps.
• Collaborate with Audubon staff to achieve community-building strategic goals, including increased access to environmental education.
• Attend professional development opportunities focused on improving quality and reach of education programs and individual professional growth.
• Co-lead monthly Unschool program for homeschool students on seasonal topics
• Develop content and host a weekend public program at least once per season
• Participate in an Independent Service Project under the guidance of VHCB AmeriCorps.
• Participate in all VHCB AmeriCorps Program Initiatives & outreach efforts, and storytelling activities that promote AmeriCorps.
• Engage in professional and personal development activities and networking opportunities.
• Submit bi-weekly
• Complete all enrollment and exit requirements.

Secondary Functions

• Create content for website and newsletters highlighting environmental education programs.
• Learn from conservation biologists about current projects and participate in field service as needed.
• Assist with Audubon community events as an educator (e.g., annual Sugar on Snow Party).
• Assist with general facility and trail maintenance, support stewardship activities on Center’s public conserved lands.
• Participate in disaster response and recovery activities. AmeriCorps members may be asked on a volunteer basis or requested by SerVermont to assist in disaster response and recovery activities. This may involve virtual or in-person service opportunities. This may include service opportunities outside of standard service hours or in place of standard service duties. Disaster response activities must be approved and reported to SerVermont by the program.

Orientation and Training

• Participate in all VHCB AmeriCorps Trainings, Service Days and Events.
• Attend SerVermont training, conferences, and events.
• Complete Mandated Reporter and On3Learn training required by SerVermont.
• No more than 20% of aggregate hours can be training hours.
• No more than 10% of the originally agreed-upon term of service can be fundraising activities.

Evaluation and Reporting

• Complete a mid-term evaluation.
• Complete an end of term evaluation.
• Complete quarterly progress reports for VHCB AmeriCorps.

Time & Service Requirements

This position requires service in both an office setting and leading education programs outdoors, in all conditions. Outdoor conditions must be safe for students, but can still include rain, snow, below freezing temperatures, sun and heat. Serve side-by-side with Audubon interns, summer camp educators, high school counselors-in-training and Jr conservation technicians. Our education team works from our Center in Huntington. The typical schedule is from 8am - 5:30 pm Monday - Friday, but many public programs occur nights and weekends through the year. This position will also include travel around our immediate service area, to connect with groups that are interested in Audubon programming. The member should expect to teach every day. A typical day might look like: setting up and leading a preschool field trip from 8am - 11am, heading to the office to finish a lesson plan for vacation camp, a lunch break on the porch, a staff meeting with the whole Audubon team where the member provides feedback and shares their opinions, then meeting kids at the bus for Audubon Afterschool.