Environmental Education Aid; Community Education Lead

The environmental education aid will support and facilitate nature-focused environmental education programs at both The Nature as Teacher Preserve for Education and off-site locations throughout Kershaw County. This position includes both informal facilitation with community groups of diverse backgrounds, ages, and abilities, as well as formal instruction for K–12 students in alignment with South Carolina State Educational Standards.

In addition to program delivery, the Environmental Education Aid will perform general maintenance and support tasks, such as:

• Weeding and maintaining outdoor learning spaces
• Cleaning and organizing program materials
• Assisting with events and outreach efforts
• Completing other duties as assigned

This role is an essential part of our mission to connect communities to nature through engaging, educational, and inclusive programming for all ages.

This position will hold a special focus on stormwater and wetland education and will be expected to actively engage in learning opportunities as well as relevant trainings related to stormwater and wetland best practices.

In this capacity, the Environmental Education Aid will serve as a conduit between county-level environmental practices and public education efforts at the Nature as Teacher Preserve for Education. This includes translating technical knowledge into accessible, engaging programs for community members and K–12 students alike.

JOB DUTIES:

60% - Essential - Facilitate nature focused programs that follow SC state educational standards and place based education standards both formally to k-12 groups and homeschool groups and informally to community groups. Facilitation occurs both on site at the Nature as Teacher Preserve for Education and off site in The City Camden and surrounding areas in Kershaw County. Programs cover a wide variety of nature related topics including environmental science, nature arts, ecology, natural history, and sustainable forestry among others. Programming is almost completely outdoors and often involves hiking, active games and other physically demanding tasks such as environmental science activities. Responsible for custodial care in some programs including the safety of minors and compliance with all youth operating standards, reporting of program attendance, critical incidents. Perform first aid when necessary. The Education Aid; Community Education Lead will be responsible for designing, promoting and leading community education programs at least once a month March-November, and will assist in the facilitation of public engagement events, public school trips, and homeschool programs.

35% - Essential - Maintenance of outdoor preserve spaces such as flower beds and trails including weeding, racking, mulching, pruning and trimming and the installation of small infrastructure such as fences and signs. Maintenance of indoor preserve spaces such as public restrooms and storage areas including cleaning, janitorial tasks, mopping, sweeping and organization of tools, resources and equipment. Cleaning and maintenance of supplies equipment and tools as used. Personal responsibility for the use of safety equipment and protective gear. Responsible for supply and resource inventory.

5% - Essential - Tracking and reporting of hours and schedule, and other paperwork as needed. May be required to travel for training. Will obtain and maintain necessary certifications.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education - High School or Equivalent, experience working with minors/community engagement

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:

Education - Associate's Degree or higher in education, early childhood development, environmental education or similar field.

Experience – Education, early childhood development, environmental education or similar field. Working with minors and/or public speaking, educational facilitation, outdoor education, interpretation, community engagement

Certifications - First Aid, Wilderness First Aid, Montessori/Waldorf certification, Project Learning Tree/Project Wet/Project Wild Certification, SC Teaching certification

RESPONSIBILITIES JOB KNOWLEDGE:

Fundamental Job Knowledge - Fundamental working knowledge of concepts, practices and procedures and ability to apply in varied situations

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES No Supervisory Duties – Not responsible for supervising employees.

BUDGETARY RESPONSIBILITIES No Budget Responsibilities - No fiscal responsibility for the department's budget.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 90% - Stand for prolonged period 50% - Sit (stationary position) for prolonged period 100% - Walk or move about 90% - Use hands or feet to operate or handle machinery, equipment, etc 50% - Ascend or descend (i.e. stairs, ladder) 90% - Position self to accomplish task (i.e. stoop, kneel, crawl) 100% - Communicate, converse, give direction, express oneself 50% - Recognize or inspect visually 50% - Move, transport, raise or lower 50% - Extends hands or arms in any direction 50% - Perceive, observe, clarity of vision

WORKING CONDITIONS: 95% - Exposure to heat or cold 45% - Exposure to dust/fumes 90% - Wet or humid 25% - Chemical hazards 5% - Overnight Travel 25% - Exposure to bio-hazards (i.e. blood, bodily fluids)

ESSENTIAL PERSONNEL LEVEL: Normal Operations Required to follow emergency facility closure directives, and not normally expected work on-site during emergency situations.