The Environmental Education Coordinator serves as the principal staff member responsible for The Kohala Center’s field-based educational programs, including both those operated in-house and those operated as a logistical contractor to various academic partners.
Key Accountabilities:
Under the general supervision of the Chief Operating Officer, the incumbent designs and manages all of The Kohala Center’s field education programs, including
• Negotiating contract terms and rates with university partners and other customers on both recurring and newly developing field education programs.
• Providing ongoing contract information to the controller in a timely fashion for inclusion in the overall budget.
• Providing Administrative Assistant with requirements for logistical and scheduling support for field programs, including making necessary reservations, renting or procuring materials and supplies as appropriate and arranging storage or return of rented items.
• Ensuring that Administrative Assistant meets all requirements for logistical and scheduling support.
• Developing or assisting in the development of field program curricula for a variety of teachers, students and volunteers from K-12 to post-doctoral learners, arranges local scientific and cultural instructors as necessary.
• Create outreach programs with schools and community groups to educate them about the ecological and cultural resources of Hawaii Island, with particular focus on Kahalu’u Bay.
• When field programs are underway is available to oversee and participate with the program on a daily basis, as needed.
• Provides the controller with sufficient back-up information to justify invoices, contracts, and receipts from the various university or other partners.
• Prepares required activity reports, grant reports to funders and, with the controller, financial reports for the various partners and funders.
• Actively searches for and writes proposals for environmental education and outreach program funding.
• Oversees special educational programs, as assigned by the Chief Operating Officer, such as the K-12 NOAA-funded Environmental Education program called Hawai‘i Island Meaningful Outdoor Experiences for Students and Teachers and fulfills the duties of program manager on that series of grants, including report preparation and coordination with Grants Administrator.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
• Proven knowledge and skills in field biological education for students of differing ages and backgrounds, with emphasis on the near shore marine environment.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communications skills required
• Diplomacy, excellent judgment, and ability to work under time pressures are essential.
• Proven ability to interact positively with a wide variety of people in divergent forums, to lead classes and lectures, and to represent the Kohala Center in professional gatherings.
• Strong organizational, project management and time management skills.
Experience
• Five years of documented experience as an environmental educator, or a position with similar outcomes, is required.
• Experience creating educational curricula at the K-12 level
Education
• Bachelor’s degree required, Masters preferred.
• Teaching credentials desirable.
• Life guard and CPR certification required.
Working Conditions
• Work is performed in both an office setting and in various outdoor locales. Field activities may take place in steep and rocky terrain, with unstable substrates and in or near the ocean environment. Excellent physical condition and swimming skills are a must.
• This is a part-time or full-time salaried position, depending on existing funding levels. When visiting classes are on-island the schedule may not be limited to an 8 to 5 workday, nor a Monday through Friday schedule.
• This position requires mobility; the employee must provide his or her own reliable transportation.
• Performance review will be conducted every year.
