The Westerly Land Trust is excited to partner with TerraCorps to host an 11-month position from August 31, 2020 to July 31, 2021. The position will join WLT’s team as the Community Engagement/Youth Education Coordinator. Applications are rolling so interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
Community Engagement/Youth Education Coordinator:
WLT is one of the only land trusts in Rhode Island with an active youth education program, and the only one that is an active Member of Rhode Island Environmental Education Association (RIEEA). Since 2016, we have connected with more than 2,000 students in our community. At a time when our local schools are being impacted by budget cuts, essentially eliminating the funds for science-based field trips, WLT offers a low or no-cost option to educators, enabling students to learn in their own community. WLT works with local schools to provide our properties for academic field trips for students to observe, connect with and immerse themselves in nature. A Member will help to support these efforts by taking on the following projects:
- Interface with local schools to develop environmental education programs that correlate to evolving curriculum, including updating educational materials and laying the groundwork and structure for all future WLT programming
- Collaborate with WLT staff and school administration and teachers to lead field trips on WLT properties as well as represent WLT professionally when bringing environmental education into the classroom.
- Develop curriculum for Barlow Nature Preserve, an 80-acre parcel of land that is undergoing a renovation to become WLT’s new welcome center and educational hub, focusing on the importance of local sustainable agriculture. Work with guidance from local schools with established agricultural curriculum.
- Support WLT staff in coordinating our community programming and expand upon it where possible (i.e. community garden, farmers market, weekly hikes/paddles, bird events, Member events, special events)
Development of these and other projects will occur during the first two months of service and consider the Member’s interests and skills.
Desired Qualifications
- Strong writing and verbal communication skills
- Able to serve both independently and as a Member of a team
- Comfort navigating computer software programs including Microsoft Office
- Training and experience pertinent to the Community Engagement Coordinator/Youth Education Coordinator position and projects outlined above
- Experience teaching or leading groups in the outdoors, especially youth
- Experience training and/or educating community members and volunteers
- Comfort working with the public and taking a leadership role when appropriate
- Experience with curriculum development and lesson planning a plus
For more information, please visit: https://terracorps.org/apply-ri/#WLT-CECYEC
To submit your applicatio
n, please visit: https://terracorps.org/apply/
For questions about this position, please contact Meg Lee at mlee@westerlylandtrust.org