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| Title: | Events Coordinator |
| Department: | Education |
| Reports to: | Education Director |
| Direct reports: | None |
| Status: | Exempt, full-time |
| Start date: | Week of August 7, 2023 |
| Apply now! |
Summary
As we transition the Events Coordinator position from a seasonal role to a permanent one, we are excited to welcome an individual who will be the driving force behind our public programs for families and adults. In this role, you will take the lead in planning, organizing, and collaborating with a talented team to deliver exceptional events. Additionally, you will be an integral part of our team of educators, responsible for teaching engaging classes, primarily within our overnight Outdoor School program. At Eagle Bluff, you will have access to professional development opportunities and work in a supportive environment where you can truly make a meaningful impact with its visitors, fostering a love for nature, learning, and environmental stewardship.
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 Events Coordinator position at Eagle Bluff is a role that plays a crucial part in the organization’s educational programs and public engagement initiatives. As the sole person overseeing event coordination, the coordinator will have the opportunity to oversee the planning, organization, and execution of a diverse range of programs and events. The Events Coordinator will be responsible for managing various aspects of event coordination, including scheduling, registration, communication, and budgeting. This includes creating event registration pages, responding to participant inquiries, and ensuring seamless communication between participants, instructors, and other departments involved in event logistics. Seasonal events include but are not limited to: Trick-or-Treetops, Summer High Ropes, Dinners on the Bluff, Seasonal Festivals, and Family Weekends. The Events Coordinator often works many of these events, but it is not a requirement to be present for every program.
In addition to our core responsibilities, the Education Team actively supports the Environmental Education Fellowship Program, which begins each August. As an Events Coordinator, you will play a pivotal role in coaching and guiding these aspiring educators, leading comprehensive class trainings and providing advice on classroom pedagogy. While not directly supervising staff, you will serve as a mentor, providing invaluable 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
Event Coordination | 50%
- Plan and coordinate Eagle Bluff’s public programs, such as creating event registration pages, developing schedules, preparing supplies, and communicating event needs to other departments.
- Take proactive measures to ensure high levels of client and instructor satisfaction by consistently delivering exceptional service, promptly addressing concerns, and effectively managing expectations throughout the event planning and execution process.
- Actively seek opportunities to strengthen the overall participant experience by consistently evaluating and refining event programs, activities, and services.
- Skillfully estimate and plan costs for events. Purchase, manage, and inventory event supplies within the allocated budget.
- Work closely with the Marketing & Communications Director to enhance event visibility and reach by actively participating in the posting of event schedules and flyers across campus and in neighboring communities.
- Brainstorm new event ideas and develop external partnerships.
Teaching | 40%
- Deliver engaging and interactive inquiry-based science, adventure, and cultural history classes to diverse groups, including residential, day-use, and summer camp participants.
- Present interpretation style, on-stage Naturalist Programs to audiences up to 200, often while utilizing live animals.
- 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.
- Conduct detailed evaluations of seasonal staff through class observations, providing constructive feedback and supporting their professional growth.
- 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 Google G-Suite
Minimum Qualifications & Skills
- Ability to pass a background check.
- Strong emotional intelligence, demonstrating positivity, compassion, and the ability to build trusting and successful working relationships.
- Demonstrate professionalism, sincerity, and sensitivity, especially in areas of participant experience.
- Awareness and respect for cultural diversity; ability to work effectively with individuals from different backgrounds, ages, beliefs, and experiences.
- Adept at handling multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines while maintaining attention to detail.
- Self-motivated and capable of working independently.
- Effective verbal and written communication skills to convey information clearly and concisely.
- Takes initiative to address issues and implement improvements as it relates to areas of responsibility.
- Proactive approach to expanding knowledge and skills.
- Ability to work a flexible schedule– up to one weekend and two evenings per month– to accommodate events and programs. (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 Qualifications & Skills
- Experience with program planning, logistics, and/or event coordination.
- Familiarity with the event management and ticketing website Eventbrite.
- Overnight environmental education experience.
- Knowledge of inquiry-based, B.E.E.T.L.E.S., NAI Certified Interpretive Guide, and/or cultural interpretation pedagogies.
- Experience in outdoor, adventure-based activities such as climbing, canoeing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, etc.
- Experience mentoring or coaching adults.
- Prior experience facilitating high/low challenge courses, rock climbing, river canoeing, and/or cross-country skiing.
- Experience with budget management.
- 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:
- $33,000-$35,000 starting annual salary
- 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.
