Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge is expanding our team and seeking to fill a part-time Bilingual (Spanish) Environmental Educator
About Cedar Run
Cedar Run is a non-profit dedicated to the preservation of New Jersey’s wildlife and habitats through education, conservation and rehabilitation. Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge sits on 171 wooded acres on the edge of the New Jersey Pinelands. Cedar Run includes the Woodford Nature Center, an outdoor Wildlife Housing Area with nearly 60 native residents, and a Wildlife Rehabilitation Hospital. The overall mission of Cedar Run is to serve as a community resource on the importance of protecting and enhancing healthy ecosystems for all. To that end, Cedar Run engages in: ecologically based land management; the operation of a Federally and NJ State licensed hospital facility that cares for more than 7,000 injured, orphaned or displaced native wildlife each year; the education of over 20,000 students annually through our various on-site and outreach programs; and serves as an active resource to the greater New Jersey community on all wildlife and habitat related questions and issues.
Position Title: Part-time Environmental Educator
Department: Environmental Education
Reports to: Director of Education
Purpose of Position:
The Bilingual Environmental Educator implements Cedar Run’s environmental education efforts including Refuge-on-Wheels programs, on-site programs, virtual programs, and the care of Wildlife Ambassadors. As a Bilingual Environmental Educator, you expand our influence and promote a sense of belonging among Spanish-speaking members of our community. This position works directly with volunteers and the public to ensure quality experiences. Evening and weekend hours are required.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Work with Environmental Education team to develop, implement, coordinate, and evaluate all aspects of education and outreach programs.
- Manage or be willing to learn all aspects of Education Wildlife Ambassador Health and Wellness including but not limited to:
- Recognize illness and injuries.
- Feeding schedules adjusted to health, weight, and season.
- Administer medications to Education Wildlife Ambassadors.
- Feed Education raptors, screech owls in Education office, reptiles.
- Ensure Education Wildlife Ambassadors are always handled appropriately and treated with respect
- Be conscious of Education Wildlife Ambassador limits as it applies to travelling for programs, program participant size, program venue, etc.
- Bilingual Instructor, additional duties:
- Be the primary staff assigned to present such programs marketed as bilingual, providing environmental education in English, Spanish, or a combination of both.
- Provide exhibit interpretation, instructional support, and customer service in English and Spanish.
- Be knowledgeable of NGSS standards.
- Other duties as assigned by the Director of Education.
Preferred Qualifications:
- A passion for Cedar Run’s mission to protect and preserve New Jersey’s wildlife and habitats through education, conservation and rehabilitation.
- Enthusiastic personality with a positive outlook and a can-do attitude.
- Bachelor’s degree in biology, environmental education, or a related field required.
- A passion for teaching and learning, and at least two years of demonstrated experience in implementing educational programs.
- Familiar with cultural sensitivities and able to deliver information that resonates with multiple audiences.
- Strong leadership and interpersonal skills.
- Understanding of operant conditioning techniques, and a commitment to the welfare of captive animals.
- Excellent communication skills, including a demonstrated proficiency in and comfort with public speaking and presentations.
- Experience caring for and handling captive wildlife, especially raptors and reptiles, or a willingness to learn.
- Must be able to read, write, and speak clearly in English and Spanish so that written and verbal instructions can be given and followed.
- Must be able to lift and carry up to 40 pounds safely, and work outdoors in varying weather.
- Weekend and evening work are required.
