Position Announcement
Job Title: Chief Naturalist/Educator
Hours: Full-time - 40hrs/week
Reports To: Program Director
Location: Blue Ridge Discovery Center, Konnarock, Virginia
Salary: Based on experience
Join Blue Ridge Discovery Center as the Chief Naturalist/Educator and help connect our regional youth and adults to one of the greatest natural treasures in the East. This is an excellent opportunity to hone your leadership and management skills and make a lasting impact on the next generation of stewards. Play a major role in program development, coordination, and delivery while contributing to our community and BRDC’s educational foundation.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
This full-time position at BRDC is responsible for serving the organization with a personal commitment to meet our mission to: inspire curiosity, discovery, and stewardship through the wonders of the Blue Ridge. The Chief N/E position requires dedication to experiential learning, natural history/science education, and lifelong learning. This role coordinates and executes natural history/science programming on campus and in the field during our school programs, community programs, and summer camps. The Chief N/E works with all programmatic staff to ensure top notch program and curriculum development, field and classroom instruction, and program coordination and administration for all ages of participants including grade school kids, summer camp attendees, researchers, and adults. You will be expected to work in a wide variety of settings, including in the field, classrooms, public events, and BRDC facilities with some travel in Carroll, Grayson, Smyth, and Washington Counties and the City of Galax, VA.
OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE:
Energetic, outgoing, enthusiastic, positive, inquisitive, goal oriented, hard working personality
Can inspire and empower others to engage in natural history
A strong base of natural history knowledge, preferably focused on the Southern Appalachians
Passion for and eagerness to expand and share their own personal knowledge
Bachelor's degree in environmental education, outdoor recreation, biology, or similar
3-5 years experience in environmental education working closely with youth and/or general public
Excellent verbal and written skills
Able to meet the physical demands of outdoor activities related to BRDC programming
Willingness to work in inclement weather conditions and wilderness settings
Can provide their own transportation
Strong organizational skills
Creative in curriculum design and development
BENEFITS:
Competitive Salary
Paid Federal Holidays
Assistance with certifications as required
Travel reimbursement
ABOUT BLUE RIDGE DISCOVERY CENTER
Blue Ridge Discovery Center (BRDC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring, discovering, and sharing the natural history of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Founded in 2008, BRDC has built a reputation for implementing innovative hands-on, experiential learning programs and initiatives. Working with all age groups from children to adults, including curious kids, professional researchers, and amateur naturalists, BRDC draws on a deep web of knowledge about local natural history to illustrate relationships within the rich flora, fauna, and geology that make up the unique Blue Ridge ecosystems. Emphasizing curiosity while establishing a life-long appreciation for the natural wonders of the Blue Ridge region are goals that shape BRDC’s work and its vision.
BRDC’s MISSION is to inspire curiosity, discovery, and stewardship through the wonders of the Blue Ridge.
We are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, age, pregnancy, disability, work-related injury, covered veteran status, political ideology, marital status, or any other factor that the law protects from employment discrimination.
