What We Do
The Busch Wildlife Sanctuary (BWS) is a non-profit organization with over 40 years of dedication to the protection and conservation of Florida’s wildlife and natural resources. To accomplish this goal the Sanctuary has a twofold mission of wildlife rehabilitation and environmental education. Our clinic treats sick, injured, and orphaned native Florida wildlife with the goal of rehabilitating and releasing healthy animals back into the wild. Ninety percent of the almost 6,000 patients admitted each year to the Sanctuary’s wildlife rehabilitation center have suffered from some type of human-related injury. Collisions with automobiles, fishing line entanglement, illegal gunshots, poisonings, and electrocutions, are only a small example of the types of injuries that are regularly treated and why education of the public, through our permanent animal collection, is so important.
Position
We are seeking an outgoing, enthusiastic Environmental Educator who will play a vital role in providing engaging and informative programs to schools, community groups, families, scouts, and the general public. This position is responsible for preparing and delivering educational programs, conducting tours, caring for educational resources, and supporting the Junior Naturalist Program. The Environmental Educator is responsible for fostering visitors’ passion for Florida's native wildlife, conservation, and environmental stewardship while contributing to the overall success of the Education Department.
Benefits, Schedule, and Location
- Benefits: Paid time off, medical insurance covered at 100%, vision, dental, life insurance, and 401(k) plan with employer matching up to 4% of salary
- Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week); weekends required; occasional early mornings and evenings
- Location: This position works from the Sanctuary in Jupiter, FL and will often travel to off-site local venues for outreach programs.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Develop, prepare, coordinate, and deliver environmental education programs for public and private audiences, including schools, camps, scouts, families, and community organizations.
- Conduct guided tours, field trip programs, and educational presentations both on-site and off-site.
- Travel to program locations using a company vehicle to provide outreach and educational programs.
- Document and assess program effectiveness to ensure continuous improvement.
- Support additional education department initiatives and special events as assigned.
- Assist the Junior Naturalist Coordinator with the implementation and delivery of the Junior Naturalist Program (ages 5–14) by supporting activities and field experiences, preparing teaching materials, and supervising and leading lessons.
- Support seasonal camps, workshops and special educational events by assisting with planning, preparation, facilitation and tracking.
- Safely handle and present animal ambassadors, including reptiles, mammals, and birds, in educational settings.
- Work closely with animal care staff to maintain positive relationships with ambassador animals and support training as needed.
- Assist in training, mentoring, and supervising volunteers, interns, and program assistants.
- Collect, process, and accurately record program fees, donations, and payments as needed.
- Maintain educational equipment, supplies, and teaching materials.
- Help ensure cleanliness and organization of education facilities, including the discovery center, amphitheater, pavilion, classrooms, educational vehicles, and Junior Naturalist/day camp spaces.
- Perform light janitorial and custodial duties to maintain a safe, welcoming environment.
- Assist with scheduling, inventory management, and other administrative tasks as assigned.
- Other duties may be assigned
Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Language Ability:
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.
Math Ability:
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percentage and to draw and interpret bar graphs. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
Reasoning Ability:
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions.
Computer Skills:
To perform this job successfully, an individual should have experience with Microsoft Office Suite, and other basic computer programs.
Education/Experience:
- Bachelor's degree in Education, Environmental Studies, Natural Sciences, Biology, or a related field.
- Minimum one (1) year of experience teaching or delivering educational programs in a classroom, camp, museum, zoo, nature center, or environmental education setting.
- Experience working with children and youth programs.
- CPR and First Aid certification preferred.
Certificates and Licenses:
Valid driver's license
Knowledge, Skills, and Other Abilities:
- Passion for environmental education, wildlife conservation, and connecting people with nature.
- Strong public speaking, teaching, and presentation skills.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Highly organized and capable of managing multiple projects and responsibilities.
- Creative, energetic, and able to engage learners of all ages.
- Ability to learn and effectively teach a wide range of environmental topics, including native Florida wildlife, habitats, and conservation issues.
- Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a team environment.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, sit, use hands, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, talk or hear, and taste or smell. The employee must regularly lift and/or move 10 pounds, must frequently lift and/or move 30 pounds, and must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. The employee must have the ability to walk on uneven terrain and stand for extended periods of time.
Work Environment:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to extreme outdoor weather conditions including heat, cold, stormy weather. The employee is frequently exposed to the risk of animal bites or zoonotic diseases. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet or humid conditions, and caustic chemicals.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
BWS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic or status.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $19.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
Education:
Experience:
- teaching: 1 year (Required)
Work Location: In person
