RiverLink’s In School Education Coordinator leads free, hands-on learning experiences for school groups and the general public throughout the French Broad River watershed. These programs deepen students’ understanding of aquatic ecosystems through outdoor exploration, interactive models, scientific tools, and inquiry-based activities that align with NC Essential Standards and STEAM education principles.

This role emphasizes connection, helping students build meaningful relationships with local waterways through both science and creative expression. The Coordinator oversees Voices of the River, an annual art and poetry contest inspired by students’ time on the river, and plans a public gallery event to showcase their work.

During summer, the Coordinator leads five weeks of French Broad RiverCamp, guiding 3rd–8th graders through stream studies, river recreation, and activities that foster curiosity, reflection, and environmental stewardship. The role also includes community outreach, volunteer engagement, and occasional support with afterschool programs and social media. Collaborating with the education team, the Coordinator contributes to curriculum development, lesson evaluation, and expanding the program’s reach to new schools and partners.

Position Responsibilities and Duties:

Plan and Deliver In-School Programming

• Lead educational programs throughout the school year focused on the physical, biological, and chemical aspects of stream ecology.
• Use a combination of scientific equipment, interactive learning strategies, and reflection practices to help students connect with their environment and local waterways.
• Coordinate with teachers, school staff, organizational partners, and government agencies to plan logistics and align programming with academic goals.
• Adapt lesson plans and teaching strategies to meet the needs, interests, and developmental levels of diverse student groups.
• Organize, maintain, and restock instructional materials and supplies, including science kits, safety gear, and teaching handouts.
• Foster a supportive, inclusive, and engaging learning environment in both classroom and outdoor settings.
• Provide and model best practices for safety in rivers, streams, and other rugged outdoor environments.
• Support the Out-of-School Education Coordinator with afterschool programs when time allows.

Program Development and Evaluation

• Revise existing lesson plans and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to reflect current programming needs and SEL curriculum standards.
• Collaborate with the education team to develop new modules on topics such as history and culture, climate change, and community resilience.
• Create and implement qualitative evaluation tools to measure program effectiveness and guide improvements.

Host the Voices of the River: Art and Poetry Contest

• Work with the Education & Outreach Manager to lead RiverLink’s annual Voices of the River contest, which integrates student creativity and watershed education.
• Develop outreach materials and market the contest to schools, families, and local media.
• Recruit judges, design scoring rubrics, and secure prize donations from local businesses.
• Plan and coordinate a public gallery event to showcase student submissions.
• Collaborate with the Out-of-School Education Coordinator to integrate the contest into complementary arts-based programming.

Serve as a camp counselor for French Broad RiverCamp. 

• Drive a 15 passenger van to key sites throughout the watershed. 
• Conduct forested and urban stream studies with campers. 
• Plan creative and reflective activities for campers to do between scheduled activities. 
• Join campers on recreational river activities such as tubing and rafting. 
• Tour local water infrastructure such as treatment plants, reservoirs, and stormwater features.

Outreach and Communication

• Represent RiverLink at community events, workshops, and tabling opportunities.
• Support the Education and Outreach Specialist with social media content creation and outreach.
• Participate in RiverLink Board and Education Committee meetings to share updates and invite feedback on out-of-school programs.

Qualifications – Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrates comfort and effectiveness in speaking to diverse audiences, including large groups, small groups, and children.
• Proven ability to develop and sustain meaningful relationships with community members and organizations, with a focus on engaging groups historically excluded from environmental spaces.
• Exhibits exceptional active listening skills alongside open, honest, and empathetic communication with both program participants and staff.
• Skilled in managing classroom dynamics and group behavior to create an engaging, orderly, and supportive learning environment.
• Effectively manages time and maintains a detailed personal schedule to ensure deadlines are consistently met.
• Shows a willingness to pursue additional watershed education to further enhance instructional leadership and lesson delivery.
• Some familiarity with aquatic ecosystems, outdoor education methods, and historical/indigenous perspectives regarding the river is advantageous, though not required.
• Holds a valid driver’s license and is comfortable operating a 15-passenger van.
• Must be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident, and willing to consent to a criminal history check.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

Equipment / Software Used: Computer, Stream simulation table, water quality testing kits, biomonitoring sampling equipment, marketing/design software, SalsaLabs (a mass email and database software.) 

Physical Demands: Walk in rivers and streams and over rocky terrain, ability to lift 40 lbs, carry a canoe with a partner, drive a 15 passenger van, paddling experience helpful but not required. 

Transportation Needs: Must have a reliable vehicle. 

Setting/Location of Activities: Buncombe and Henderson counties with some activities in Transylvania and Madison counties as well. 

Compensation 

This is a seasonal, non-exempt position paying $23.15 per hour.

Schedule & Time Commitment

This is a 30 hour/week temporary position that will go from the start of September 2025 to the end of July 2026. Depending on funding, candidates may be able to return for a second term. 

This position typically works from 9am-5pm Mondays-Fridays with some weekends. Since there is a lot of work with schools, a good amount of days can start as early as 7AM.