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| Title: | Curriculum Coordinator |
| Number of positions available: | 2 |
| Department: | Education |
| Reports to: | Outdoor School Manager |
| Status: | Full-time, exempt |
| Direct reports: | None |
| Start date: | Week of August 7, 2023 |
| Apply now! |
Summary
Join our team at Eagle Bluff as a full-time, permanent Curriculum Coordinator and embark on an exciting journey in the field of education. As part of our dynamic Curriculum Department, you will play a vital role in shaping the educational experiences of thousands of students. Take the lead in maintaining equipment, mentoring staff, and participating in collaborative curriculum development. With opportunities for professional growth, a supportive team environment, and the chance to make a positive impact, this is an exceptional opportunity for individuals passionate about environmental education and curriculum creation. Come be a part of our mission to connect people to the earth and each other in a beautiful rural setting.
Organization Overview
Located in the driftless area of southeastern Minnesota, Eagle Bluff is a well-known 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a rich history dating back to 1978. We are a year-round environmental learning center dedicated to providing transformative educational programs for over 16,000 children, adults, and families annually. Our comprehensive offerings encompass the Outdoor School, Summer Camps, college j-terms, public programs, and Nature Preschool.
At the heart of our educational endeavors lies the Outdoor School, an accredited overnight program that welcomes schools from September to June. With a primary focus on students in grades 4th to 8th, these immersive three-day, two-night trips ignite a passion for learning through captivating student-centered, hands-on classes. Covering a diverse range of subjects in adventure, history, and science, our classes foster a strong sense of community, cultivate critical thinking skills, and create memorable outdoor experiences that resonate with students for a lifetime.
Join our dedicated team at Eagle Bluff as we continue to inspire and empower learners in a captivating natural environment, where education becomes an adventure and knowledge flourishes in the great outdoors.
Context
The Curriculum Coordinator role is an integral part of our collaborative Curriculum Team, working alongside another Curriculum Coordinator, a Curriculum and Wildlife Coordinator, the Outdoor School Manager, and two seasonal Curriculum Assistants. As a team, our primary focus is to ensure the smooth functioning of the Outdoor School programming by maintaining well-crafted lesson plans, consumable class materials, adventure equipment, historical teaching sites, and thrilling adventure courses. This regularly includes troubleshooting challenges faced by instructors and students and taking an active role in fixing equipment. Each Curriculum Coordinator takes ownership of a subset of the 45+ classes offered at Eagle Bluff, guaranteeing their excellence and effectiveness. By leveraging each team member’s unique skills and perspectives, we foster a collaborative and supportive atmosphere that drives innovation and growth.
In addition to our core responsibilities, the Curriculum Team actively supports the Environmental Education Fellowship Program, which begins each August. As a Curriculum Coordinator, you will play a pivotal role in training and guiding these aspiring educators, briefing them on lesson plan updates, and leading comprehensive class trainings. While not directly supervising staff, you will serve as a mentor, providing invaluable guidance and support to foster their growth and development as effective teachers.
As one of our 23 Education Department staff members, you will contribute to the facilitation of our diverse education programming. Your teaching frequency will vary by season, with fall and spring being particularly busy due to the higher occupancy of the Outdoor School. Teaching will account for approximately 40% of your time in a 12-month period, primarily engaging 4th to 8th-grade students.
Essential Functions
Maintain and Develop Program Curricula | 50%
- Maintain education equipment and supplies related to Eagle Bluff’s classes/activities. Perform regular safety maintenance/inspections; may include high/low ropes courses and indoor rock wall.
- Participate in collaborative curriculum development and revision for the Outdoor School’s classes; align curriculum with Eagle Bluff pedagogy and NGSS/state academic standards.
- Write training guides to set expectations for training staff in use of equipment and sites.
- Mentor staff in program expectations, curriculum delivery, use of equipment, and implementation of teaching techniques.
Teaching | 40%
- Teach inquiry-based science, adventure, and cultural history classes to residential, day-use, and summer camp groups.
- Present interpretation-style, on-stage Naturalist Programs to audiences up to 200.
- Co-lead songs, skits, and stories during evening campfires.
- Occasionally give off-site programs to outreach groups.
- Periodically act as the Staff On-Radio to respond in case of emergencies.
Education Department Duties | 10%
- Delegate and oversee seasonal staff in completing tangible programmatic projects.
- Lead seminars for Fellowship staff in classroom management, pedagogy, and/or natural history; lead class trainings for new staff.
- Evaluate seasonal staff through class observations.
- Conduct Lead Teacher Interviews to assess client satisfaction.
- Provide logistical support for summer camp.
- Actively collaborate, lead, and notate during Team Meetings.
- Seek out and participate in professional development workshops, trainings, or conferences which will benefit self and Eagle Bluff broadly.
Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s Degree, or equivalent experience
- 2 years teaching K-12 youth
- Experience with and knowledge of outdoor teaching and pedagogy
- Experience with or willingness to learn Microsoft Publisher and Google G-Suite
Minimum Qualifications & Skills
- Ability to pass a background check
- Strong emotional intelligence; approachable, compassionate, and respectful when interacting with others, fostering a sense of trust and open communication
- High attention to detail and effective communication skills to convey information clearly.
- Strong, creative problem-solving skills
- Proactive approach to expanding knowledge and skills
- Adaptability to different situations and flexible to respond to changing priorities and work styles
- Awareness and respect for cultural diversity; ability to work effectively with individuals from different backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences
- Ability to effectively present information to diverse audiences, including large groups
- Ability to work up to one weekend and two evenings per month (weekend time worked is typically balanced to ~40 hours per week)
- Computer, radio, and audio-visual equipment literacy
- Comfortable in moving water and able to hike long distances. Willing to operate and participate in adventure activities such as: high ropes courses, canoeing, rock wall, etc.
- Current First Aid and CPR/AED certification (or willingness to obtain prior to start date) from a nationally recognized provider (AHA, ARC, ASHI, NSC). Must include instructor-led skill session
- Current US driver’s license and willingness to drive Eagle Bluff’s vehicles
Preferred Experience, Qualifications, & Skills
- Overnight environmental or outdoor education experience
- Knowledge of inquiry-based, B.E.E.T.L.E.S., NAI Certified Interpretive Guide, and/or cultural interpretation pedagogies
- Experience writing lesson plans, especially in alignment with academic standards and inquiry-based instruction
- Experience in outdoor, adventure-based activities such as climbing, canoeing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, etc.
- Experience mentoring or coaching adults
- Prior experience facilitating or maintaining high/low challenge courses, rock climbing, river canoeing, and/or cross-country skiing
- MN DNR Firearms Safety Instructor or willingness to get
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted as a satisfactory substitute for the specific education and experience listed above.
Please note that meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an interview, as there may be a competitive selection process based on the number of qualified applicants. The preferred qualifications indicate additional skills and experience that would be beneficial for the position.
Compensation:
- Starting Annual Salary: $34,000 – 36,000
- Benefits package found here or on the employment page of the website
To apply:
Email PDF of your resume and cover letter to Cheryl Krage, Business Manager: cherylk@eaglebluffmn.org. Please indicate which position you are applying for in the email subject line.
First review of applications will begin on June 12th, 2023.
Work Environment:
Regularly works around adults and children and in outside conditions that include inclement weather, heat and humidity. Routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. Noise level may be loud at times.
Communication, detecting, traversing, and operating skills are needed. The physical demands of this job will vary, but typically require:
- Close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer; extensive reading; visual inspection involving small defects, small parts, and/or operation of machines; using measurement devices
- Constant movement and use of limbs including but not limited to typing, hauling, bending, pushing, and pulling
- Frequent traversing to a significant degree (2+ miles) up/down hills and remaining stationary for extended periods of time (3+ hours)
- Frequent facilitation of high ropes courses; including but not limited to operating 30 ft. off the ground, traversing cables, lifting of participants on course, and ziplining
- Frequent communication (speaking and hearing) and information exchange in person and digitally on computers, phones, and radios. Conversing with individuals up to audiences of 200+; occasionally in noisy environments
- Frequent interaction with non-living and living creatures not limited to birds, insects, reptiles
- Frequent exposure to weather elements, such as low and high temperatures, precipitation, wind
- Occasional moving of 50-70 pound objects such as 60-pound canoes
- Occasionally operating power tools such as drills, impact wrenches, or sanders
- Occasionally driving vehicles on and off-road, including but not limited to UTVs, trucks, and trailers
Eagle Bluff ELC does not sponsor work visas, thus, in compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify eligibility to work in the United States by completing the required I-9 form upon hire. Employment will require the selected candidate to pass all background, criminal record, fingerprinting, reference checks
Eagle Bluff ELC is an equal opportunity employer that promotes and values diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability.
All employees are required to satisfactorily perform the essential functions of their positions. The essential functions listed above are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
