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Current job openings are listed below.
Environmental Educator & Botanical Specialist (Full-Time)
Reporting to the Environmental Education Supervisor, the Environmental Educator & Botanical Specialist position is a full-time, non-exempt position working Wednesday-Saturday from 8-6 (36 hours) for September-mid-June and Tuesday-Saturday from 9-5 (35 hours) from mid-June through August, although some early/evening hours and weekend days per month (outside of regularly scheduled special events) will be required. This position will be responsible for teaching a variety of natural history and farm-themed school and after school programs for groups, primarily aged preK-5th grade. The Environmental Educator will also be responsible for the compiling of weather station data on an as needed basis and aiding in the development and registration of Home School programs. The Environmental Educator and Botanical Specialist will oversee care for all living non-animal education collections, aid in the care of gardens and planted spaces, and serve as lead on specialized plant-based curricula. This position will serve as lead educator for SM&NC’s Full Day Explorers summer camp and will also aid in the teaching and development of our after school programs, scout offerings, and public programming.
Specifically, the Environmental Educator & Botanical Specialist (Full-Time) will
- Oversee care for all living non-animal collections, including program and exhibit plants and aid in the care of garden and planted spaces
- Teach educational programs for predominantly preK-5th grade students on a variety of natural history, astronomy, and farm-based topics, both onsite and as a part of SMNC in the Schools, including live animal programs.
- Teach after school programs on natural history/farm/science topics, both onsite and as a part of SMNC in the Schools and keep curriculum records on these programs
- Teach scout and public programs, including but not limited to Vacation Break Out Days, Vacation Drop Off Days, Take a Hike Week, and Outdoor Adventurers programs.
- Serve as lead educator for Full Day Summer Camp which will include being responsible for camper health forms, parent communication, curriculum, and materials, and aiding our Summer Camp Director w/ forms and registration.
- Staff and support SM&NC special event weekends, such as Harvest Festival and Spring on the Farm
- Compile and submit SMNC weather station data to NOAA on a monthly basis
- Aid in development and registration of Home School programming
- Work with Environmental Education department to develop and strengthen school, after school, scout and public programs that make use of SM&NC resources, including the farm, organic garden, forest and wetland habitats, and collections, and that tie to curriculum standards and goals
- Help to ensure that programs promote responsible environmental education and support SM&NC mission
- Aid in care and feeding of reptile, mammal, amphibian, and invertebrate teaching animals
- Provide interpretation and animal care in our Heckscher WILD! live animal exhibit;
- Additional duties as assigned
Qualifications & Essential Skills
- Minimum of two years relevant, professional related experience.
- Minimum B.S. in biology, environmental science, education or related field.
- Must possess a maturity to have professional, respectful demeanor with Board, major donors, and other key business contacts acting with discretion and a keen understanding of confidentiality.
- The position requires excellent communications skills, oral and written, as well as the ability to multitask and think creatively on program development and implementation.
- Able to lift 50 lbs., bend, stretch, stand for extended periods of time, climb stairs, twist, sit, walk, and/or run.
- Interest in variety of natural history, farm, and/or physical science topics
- Experience handling, caring for, and teaching with a variety of animals including reptiles, birds, and mammals or willingness to learn
- Excellent interactions with the public and use of exhibits and components as a teaching tool
- Excellent Internet and research skills. Must be well-organized and detail-diligent with ability to perform your own administrative work
Position: Outdoor Curriculum Assistant (Full Time)
Department: Art, Nature, & Me Preschool
Reports to: Outdoor Curriculum Specialist/Preschool Co-Director
The Outdoor Curriculum Assistant is a full-time, non-exempt position working primarily Monday-Friday from 8:30-4:30 (35 hours), although some early/evening hours and weekend days per month (outside of regularly scheduled special events) will be required. This position will include being involved in all parts of the Art, Nature & Me Preschool, including serving as an Assistant Teacher in classrooms both morning and afternoon, as scheduled. The position will also assist with the development, organization, implementation, and evaluation of the outdoor curriculum activities throughout the year. This position will also serve as a Preschool Camp Educator for our summer camp program.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
- Serves as an Assistant Teacher in a 3s or 4s classroom for morning and afternoon classrooms, as scheduled
- Assists in the development, implementation, and evaluation of outdoor curriculum units led both by Outdoor Curriculum staff and by classroom teachers
- Aids in organization of curriculum resources, including children’s literature, dramatic play, themed manipulatives, and outdoor STEAM trail components
- Serves as a preschool camp educator for yearly summer camp program
- Oversee care of preschool animals
- Showcases new or existing curriculum resources to preschool staff at monthly staff meetings
- Completes all responsibilities in a timely manner
- Attends staff meetings
- Attends staff development workshops
- Reports to the Co-Directors of Early Childhood Education any concerns or challenges related to designated class
- Works SM&NC Festival Weekends and other special events as needed
Qualifications & Essential Skills
- Ability to interact effectively with parents and peers
- Takes initiative on developing age group appropriate curriculum for classes
- Must possess a maturity to have professional, respectful demeanor with parents, children and staff
- Must act with discretion and have a keen understanding of confidentiality
- Must be comfortable in the outdoor environment
- Must be able to enhance the experience of outdoor explorations for children
- Comfortable with animals and willingness to learn how to handle certain animals to enhance curriculum
- Ability to innovate and initiate
- Ability to define goals, meet urgent deadlines, organize, and prioritize classroom activities
Contacts & Relationships
- Provide information to Lead or Co-Teacher for families of children enrolled about classroom activities
- Maintain professional demeanor providing information to families concerning their child
- Confer with the Co-Directors of Early Childhood Education any concerns about children
- Work with lead and other assistant teachers both for preschool and summer camp
- Be aware of current happenings at the museum
- Support other staff members
- Professional resolution of issues with other staff members (either directly or with the Co-Directors of Early Childhood Education)
Specialized Knowledge, Skills, & Qualifications
- Associates or Bachelors in Early Childhood or in related field
- 1+ Experience teaching preschool-aged children
- Experience teaching in outdoor settings a plus
- Strong written and verbal communications skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills.
- Must be a “team player”
- Must be comfortable in the outdoor environment and use the outdoor environment on a regular basis to support curriculum.
- Love and respect for the natural world
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suites
- Comfortable with animals and willingness to learn how to handle certain animals to enhance curriculum and use both in the classroom and outdoors
- Certified in First Aid, CPR and Epi-pen
- Bi-lingual English/Spanish a plus
Reporting to the Environmental Education Supervisor, the Environmental Educator & Early Childhood Specialist position is a full-time, non-exempt position working Monday-Thursday 8 am-6pm (36 hours) from September-mid June and Monday-Friday 9am-5pm from mid-June-August, although some early/evening hours and weekend days per month (outside of regularly scheduled special events) will be required. This position will be responsible for teaching nature and farm-based school and after school programs for preschool-aged children, both on-site at the SM&NC and in schools. In addition, this position will head our newly-revamped parent/child art and nature classes, Wonder Art, for ages 18 months-2.5 years. Working with the Director of Education and the Outdoor Curriculum Specialist, this position will create and enact seasonal curricula for Wonder Art, including stories, songs, sensory experiences, age-appropriate art projects, and live animal visits. The Environmental Educator & Early Childhood Specialist will also teach school and after school programs for early elementary students when Wonder Art is not in session or may serve as a substitute for our preschool as needed.
Specifically, the Environmental Educator & Early Childhood Specialist (Full-Time) will:
- Create and teach seasonal age-appropriate curriculum for Wonder Art, the SM&NC’s parent/child program for ages 18 months-24 years, including songs, stories, live animal visits, outside activities and sensory activities
- Teach school and after school programs for preschool-aged students on the SM&NC site and in schools
- Teach educational programs for early elementary-aged students on a variety of natural history, astronomy, and farm-based topics, both onsite and as a part of SMNC in the Schools, including live animal programs.
- Teach scout and public programs, including but not limited to Vacation Break Out Days, Vacation Drop Off Days, Take a Hike Week, and Outdoor Adventurers programs.
- Serve as a substitute teacher in our Art, Nature & Me preschool as needed
- Staff and support SM&NC special event weekends, such as Harvest Festival
- Work with Environmental Education department to develop and strengthen school, after school, scout and public programs that make use of SM&NC resources, including the farm, organic garden, forest and wetland habitats, and collections, and that tie to curriculum standards and goals
- Help to ensure that programs promote responsible environmental education and support SM&NC mission
- Aid in care and feeding of reptile, mammal, amphibian, and invertebrate teaching animals
- Provide interpretation and animal care in our Heckscher WILD! live animal exhibit;
- Additional duties as assigned
Qualifications & Essential Skills:
- Minimum of two years relevant, professional related experience.
- Minimum B.S. in biology, environmental science, early childhood education or related field.
- Must have extreme comfortability with young children and creating and implementing early childhood curriculum, including singing, taking young children outside, and process-based art
- Must possess a maturity to have professional, respectful demeanor with Board, major donors, and other key business contacts acting with discretion and a keen understanding of confidentiality.
- The position requires excellent communications skills, oral and written, as well as the ability to multitask and think creatively on program development and implementation.
- Able to lift 50 lbs., bend, stretch, stand for extended periods of time, climb stairs, twist, sit, walk, and/or run.
- Experience handling, caring for, and teaching with a variety of animals including reptiles, birds, and mammals or willingness to learn
- Excellent interactions with the public and use of exhibits and components as a teaching tool
- Excellent Internet & research skills. Must be well-organized with ability to perform your own administrative work
Compensation: Competitive salary and complete benefits package including paid vacation.
To apply:
Please send a cover letter, resume, and two references to (e-mail preferred):
Lisa Monachelli, Director of Education
Stamford Museum & Nature Center
39 Scofieldtown Road
Stamford, CT 06903
lmonachelli@stamfordmuseum.org
Stamford Museum & Nature Center is looking for Part Time employees for our Visitor Services staff.
Visitor Services responsibilities include: welcoming the public, providing information about the Museum's activities and exhibitions and directing visitors to locations, activities and events. You will become knowledgeable about the exhibitions and all other aspects of our offerings, engaging in conversation with the public in a positive, informed manner.
Responsibilities may include ensuring the care of museum exhibits; paying special attention to the objects that should not be touched by the public, taking admission fees or checking membership status, selling memberships, handling phone inquiries from the public and assisting with merchandise sales. Must be able to handle cash box and cash reconciliation.
May help with set-up for special events or receptions that involve the exhibition galleries or the Great Hall and must maintain order, cleanliness, and neatness of hands-on activity areas and lobby. A lively work environment, these positions requires flexibility, strong interpersonal skills and a customer service orientation.
Part time hours available are primarily daytime weekdays and weekends to include Holidays, Family Days and Special Events generally covering less than 25 hours per week.
To express interest in these positions: e-mail your resume to ksmith@stamfordmuseum.org or stop by the lobby reception desk and fill out an application.