Wilderness Educator Americorps Member

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Wildlife Educator AmeriCorps Member

Member Supervisors :

Tricia Dutcher, Western Region Wildlife Educator & Volunteer Coordinator

Nevada Dept. of Wildlife

3100 Dickerson Rd.

Reno, NV 89503

tdutcher@ndow.org

775-334-3808

Heidi Anderson, AmeriCorps Program Director

Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation

heidi@tmparksfoundation.org

775-453-0278

Member Position Summary:

The Wildlife Educator, an AmeriCorps member, will be an essential member of the team for wildlife education site. This person will primarily support the field trips and community programming offered at Oxbow Nature Study Area, but many programs extend throughout the northwest region of Nevada (from Winnemucca to Hawthorne to Incline Village and all parts in between). Students engage in hands-on citizen science research with a goal of improved academic engagement and better preparation for educational success. Their duties will include developing and fine-tuning curriculum and family programming, training volunteers, and monitoring the habitat area. Seasonally, there is also opportunity for AmeriCorps members to help develop and facilitate regional outdoor education events demonstrating archery, fishing, and hunting activities for families.

Primary Responsibilities:

Develop field trip lessons and pre- and post-classroom curriculum that align with Next Generation Science and Common Core Standards;

Develop and conduct diverse community programs that include family activities;

Maintain and develop displays for the visitor center;

Lead field trips;

Maintain 'Trout in the Classroom’ trout tank at Oxbow Nature Study Area and participating schools;

Develop and assist in facilitating angler education, hunter education and archery events.

Secondary Responsibilities:

Develop relationships with park visitors and recruit and train volunteers;

Develop and conduct assessments of all programming;

Generate a volunteer handbook for training volunteers;

Coordinate and retain volunteers.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment;

Exceptional writing skills;

Strong communication skills;

Strong organizational skills;

High degree of initiative and spirit of service.

Required Academic and Experience Qualifications:

Must have a high school diploma or equivalent, or agree to earn a high school diploma or equivalent before using an educational award. It would be useful if members have a Bachelor’s degree in education, science, or a related field.

Host Site Agency Mission:

The Nevada Department of Wildlife offers Wildlife Education and Aquatic Education field trips at Oxbow Nature Study Area, a 22-acre wild habitat along the Truckee River with micro habitats including river, riparian, wetlands, and grasslands. Nevada wildlife make their home in these diverse habitats and the Wildlife Education Program helps to foster NDOW's mission: "Connecting people to wildlife in a positive way." The Nevada Department of Widllife’s Wildlife Education Program reaches more than 10,000 participants each year through a variety of programs at diverse venues in the region.

Program Mission:

The Oxbow Nature Study Area Education Program focuses on promoting aesthetic, scientific, educational, and recreational benefits of wildlife for the citizens of Nevada.

Additional Guidelines or Expectations:

AmeriCorps members are required to wear at least one piece of AmeriCorps gear (AmeriCorps button), provided by the Parks Foundation, every day during their term of service. When the member is facilitating a program, they should wear the t-shirt their site supervisor provides them with the AmeriCorps button pinned on this shirt. AmeriCorps members must participate in a minimum of three National Days of Service during their term of service and may participate in additional service projects.

Member Benefits:

AmeriCorps members receive a living allowance of $13,732, a $5,920 education award upon successful completion of service, healthcare, childcare coverage (for eligible members), and professional development opportunities throughout their term of service.

Evaluation and Reporting:

Members will receive a mid-year and end-of-term performance evaluation from their site-supervisor and the AmeriCorps Program Director. Members will submit their biweekly Member Service Logs (timesheets) to their supervisor to be approved. Members are also responsible for reporting performance measures to their site supervisor and AmeriCorps Program Director every month during their term of service.