Americorps Environmental / Outdoor Educator

Mission:

Christodora is a non-profit, non-sectarian operating foundation offering environmental education and leadership training to motivated New York City public school students. Christodora’s mission is to encourage the positive educational and developmental growth of New York City’s youth through stimulating educational and challenging outdoor programs.

Outdoor/Environmental Educators:

Christodora has openings for applicants who aspire to educate urban youth for approximately nine months of the year. AmeriCorps Educators begin teaching at the Manice Education Center (MEC) in fall 2016 as an Outdoor Educator (OE) - transfer to New York City as an Environmental Educator (EE) and bring an inquiry based environmental curriculum to our partner school classrooms during Christodora’s Winter Ecology Program (WEP) - then return to MEC in the spring of 2018.

Training Opportunities:

All AmeriCorps members receive hands-on training in the delivery of an experientially driven curriculum, challenge course training and challenge course facilitation experience, and ongoing professional development as an outdoor and environmental educator. 

Dates of Member Position:

MEC Fall Session: September 5 through October 2019

NYC Winter Ecology Teaching Program: November 2019 – Mid April 2020

MEC Spring Session 2020: Mid April 2020 to Mid June 2020

*NOTE: Up to approximately 3.5 weeks of paid time off are included.

Member Responsibilities at MEC:

·      Develop and deliver experientially focused educational opportunities for students ages 11-18 in environmental science and leadership training courses

·      Lead youth in service projects to improve publicly used wilderness areas and trails.

·      Facilitate low ropes course elements and group initiatives

·      Safely lead groups on day hikes.

·      Overnight supervision of students (max. 7) in cabin style tents.

Educational staff at the Manice Education Center (MEC) work closely together in a supportive atmosphere teaching small, coed groups (10-12 students) of New York City (NYC) public school students in a variety of outdoor classroom settings.  Together, all educators on staff facilitate debates, science labs, cooperative games, group initiatives, and campfires for groups of approximately forty students. Educators in our spring/fall sessions will lead 3 day field trips at MEC for our partner public schools in NYC. 

Member Responsibilities in the WEP:

·      Develop/present ecology based environmental lessons with experiential and inquiry based approaches to classrooms in our partner NYC public schools for 2 seven week semesters.

·      Facilitate day trips to environmental/cultural institutions and natural areas in NYC.

·      Participate in Christodora’s afterschool programs.

·      Attend Christodora-MEC reunions.

Qualifications:

· Energetic, friendly, patient, flexible, outgoing, and motivated individuals who are passionate about serving urban youth in both residential outdoor programming and urban public schools. 

· BA/BS in related discipline. Significant professional experience considered.

· Spanish/English Bilingual a plus.

· Background clearances and medical physical required.

MEC

· Experience in outdoor/environmental education and hiking.

· First Aid/CPR certification.

· Valid Driver’s License preferred.

NYC                                                                   

· Prior experience or adaptability to living and navigating urban environments.

· Ability to be flexible across many different classroom settings and school cultures, and provide sensitive caring approaches to the diverse needs of students.