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Please submit completed application, cover letter, and resume here, or mail to:
Nancy Steckel
3511 Barley Mill RdHockessin, DE 19707
United States
Director of Education
Ashland Nature Center, Hockessin, DE
Organization Description
Delaware Nature Society’s (DelNature) mission is to connect people with the natural world to improve our environment through education, conservation, and advocacy. We envision a healthy and sustainable environment. Founded in 1964, DelNature, a state affiliate for the National Wildlife Federation, is renowned for our educational programming, conservation, and advocacy. We provide the tools for communities to take action and promote the health of the environment through land preservation, wildlife protection, and watershed stewardship.
We manage over 2,000 acres of land, including four nature preserves, and operates four educational sites: Ashland Nature Center, Abbott’s Mill Nature Center, DuPont Environmental Education Center, and Coverdale Farm Preserve. Our organizational priorities are comprised of three pillars of engagement focused on: Working & Natural Lands, Healthy Waters, and Protecting Habitats and Wildlife.
DelNature aspires to be inclusive multicultural organization that celebrates the rich dimensions of diversity and is committed to understanding and addressing where we fall short. Diversity creates an awareness of and acknowledges respect for differences and translates into understanding and valuing of each other’s perspectives. We are committed to building a diverse team and strongly encourage all who are qualified to apply.
Job Description
The Director of Education leads the development and implementation of the organization’s educational programming. As a member of the Senior Leadership team, the Director of Education collaborates with other team members to foster a coordinated and effective approach to service delivery, management, and growth of the Delaware Nature Society (DelNature). The individual in this position will join, lead and support a professional team of educators and engage them, along with Board members, committee members, donors, volunteers and partners from other community-based organizations to fulfill and advance the mission and goals of DelNature. The Director of Education ensures safe, consistent, cooperative and innovative delivery a mix of educational programs to meet the needs of the community and strategic direction of the organization. Responsible for program development and support, administration, management, oversight and evaluation of a diverse mix of educational programs to reach and engage a variety of audiences. The Director of Education has fiscal and outcome measurement responsibility and will work closely with the Director of Operations to ensure the safety and well-being of staff and program participants in accordance with organizational policies and procedures. The individual in this position will supervise and develop education staff to develop, grow and sustain strategic partnerships and new programs to further the scope and reach of DelNature. They will promote DelNature’s mission by building relationships to grow program participation, membership, volunteerism, advocacy, and financial support.
The Director of Education reports to the Executive Director, works closely with all Senior Leadership Team members and has two direct reports, which may vary over time with the organization’s needs and programs.
Responsibilities
•Supports, supervises, trains, and develops a diverse talent pool to deliver high quality educational and engagement experiences for all participants.
•Ensures integrity of all education programs through implementation of organizational policies and procedures that will provide high quality service, effective and cost-efficient management of resource and compliance with short and long-range goals and objectives.
•Provides supervision, support, review and evaluation to the following educational programming areas; Adult, Family, Preschool, Youth and Paddling public programs, Summer Camp, Field Studies and Animal Husbandry.
• Coordinates and manages programming and staffing of Adult Public Education Programs, Adult Group Field
Studies and Outreach requests offered by Delaware Nature Society at the New Castle County sites.
• Develops annual budgets with key staff for each area of responsibility including strategies, objectives, timelines
and desired resources and monitors compliance and expectations.
• Works with the Director of Operations in ensuring organizational policies, processes, and procedures, are followed
including (but not limited to) safety and risk management, staffing, hiring. Training, animal husbandry, and youth
protection.
• Works closely with key members of the Conservation team to implement Adult Education programs including the
Master Naturalist program, and other partnerships with the University of Delaware.
• Works with the Director of Operations and Site Directors in determining educational program offerings at each
site.
• Serves as the staff support and liaison for the Education Committee of the Board of Directors, working closely with
the committee’s chairperson to set agendas and track/report on results.
• Develops and structures the internship and apprenticeship programs with consistency across all sites.
• Supports the membership team in the delivery of organizational member and community events and coordinates
the inclusion of education team members participation in these events.
• Establishes and monitors specific outcomes for education programs and makes modifications as needed for
desired impact and results, including the retirement of programs when appropriate based upon community and
participant needs, risk factors and productivity.
• Works cooperatively with Education and Advancement staff to develop marketing and funding strategies to
support key education initiatives.
• Works collaboratively with all staff to successfully implement strategies to achieve organizational diversity, equity,
inclusion, and justice goals.
• Serves as a representative of DelNature in the community to key partners, coalitions, and professional and civic
organizations to increase the presence and position of DelNature in the community.
• Performs additional duties as assigned by supervisor.
• Promotes and supports Delaware Nature Society’s mission, values, goals, and activities
Minimum Qualifications
• 10+ years of non-profit, outdoor/environmental education experience required.
• Experience teaching to adult and youth audiences in an environmental education setting.
• Degree in Education, Environmental Studies, or related field.
• Flexible and adaptable style; a leader who can positively impact both strategic and day to day expectations.
• Proven ability to manage in a multi-site, multi-discipline, Hybrid environment with multiple priorities.
• Adept at programming and compliance with federal, state, local, and COVID regulations and requirements.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.
• Proficiency in Microsoft office and computer skills, including word processing, spreadsheet, and database
management experience.
• Experience developing and monitoring site, department, and program budgets and pro-formas.
• Interpersonal skills such as flexibility, diplomacy, empathy and listening skills as well as excellent communication
skills, both oral and written.
• High level of dependability, effectiveness, and ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Strong verbal, written, technical and analytical skills with ability to train others. Strong attention to detail,
thoroughness, and accuracy
• Commitment to maintaining donor and member confidentiality.
• Flexibility and adaptability to work a schedule that meets the needs of the organization.
• Demonstrated ability of problem solving, critical thinking, and decision-making.
• Must pass a background check.
Salary and Benefits
This a full-time, salary, exempt position. Hours are primarily M-F but participation in evening and/or weekend meetings and program delivery and/or events is required. Must have the ability to address emergency and urgent situations that arise. Travel between all Delaware Nature Society sites is required.
Comprehensive benefits package and paid time off. Onsite work required.
Starting salary 68,000-70,000.