Salary Range: $69,000 – $78,000
The Norcross Wildlife Foundation, Inc., a non-profit, private operating foundation with its offices in Wales, Massachusetts, is seeking to fill the new position of Director of Education and Public Programming (DEPP). This is a rare opportunity for a self-motivated professional to create, grow and manage an environmental education program at a small, endowed organization.
Since its founding in 1964, The Norcross Wildlife Foundation (NWF) has focused on its mission of conserving biodiversity, primarily through the stewardship of more than 8,000 acres of land it owns in Massachusetts and Connecticut. An important component of NWF’s mission is educating the public about the environment and biodiversity. In 2023 NWF had 4,828 program participants, 3,437 of whom were on school field trips. NWF maintains approximately 2 miles of public nature trails and provides a small number of guided tours and other programs. NWF’s new strategic plan emphasizes enhancing and expanding our educational impact, including developing relationships with underserved communities.
The Norcross Wildlife is seeking a mature and experienced professional to lead its education and public programming work. Under the general direction of the Executive Director and in coordination with other staff, the DEPP will evaluate, develop, lead, implement and supervise all public and educational programming, experiences, and content for NWF. The ideal candidate will be an excellent communicator, able to connect with diverse communities and engage meaningfully with issues of importance to them. The candidate should be innovative, strategic, collaborative, and able to work across staff, board, and public constituencies.
Along with other related duties, the primary duties of the DEPP will include:
Create, implement, and oversee all public and educational programming for NWF.
Serve as a senior manager, working cooperatively and proactively with other staff and Foundation operations. Make appropriate independent decisions within approved work plans and budgets in their area of responsibility.
Understand, research, engage with, and contribute to current knowledge, professional discourse and best practices for education and public programming in the areas of the environment and ecology, and topic areas relevant to NWF’s mission and current projects.
Supervise at least one staff member (Education and Public Programming Staff) working on public programming and education, to be hired in coordination with the DEPP.
Work with teams of staff, board, and outside stakeholders to develop, coordinate and implement public programs, events, and other activities, both in person and online.
Support program and external communication by contributing to interpretive materials (such as interpretive signs), published materials, flyers, website, and social media, such as Instagram and Facebook (but is not primarily responsible for external communication or marketing).
Schedule, and implement, with other staff support, existing school programs (public, private, homeschool) for AY24-25.
All candidates should have a bachelor’s degree or higher with a concentration in natural or environmental science, education or related field. A Master’s degree or MTEL (Massachusetts Test for Educational License) is a plus. A minimum of five or more years’ experience teaching in environmental science, environmental education, or a closely related field is required.
The salary range for this position is $69,000 to $78,000, commensurate with experience. The Norcross Wildlife Foundation has excellent employee benefits including health insurance, 403b with a generous employer match, life insurance and other benefits.
The Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not tolerate discrimination based on an individual’s sex, age, race, color, creed, national origin, religion, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation or affectional preference, gender identity and expression, disability, genetic trait or predisposition, carrier status, citizenship, veteran or military status and other personal characteristics protected by law. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to legally protected characteristics.
The Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary will consider qualified applicants in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local “Fair Chance” laws.
The Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary is committed to welcoming a diverse and inclusive workforce, one that celebrates the varied communities we serve. Our mission and programs can greatly benefit from a range of perspectives and, as a result, we strongly encourage qualified applications from women, veterans, people with disabilities, people of color, and gender nonconforming candidates.
To Apply: email a cover letter and resume to info@norcrosswildlife.org with subject line "DEPP Application". Applications will be accepted until end of business, September 3rd, 2024.