Position Title: Environmental Educator

Organization: Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES)

Anticipated Start Date: Year-round positions begin August 9, 2021 

Salary: Salary range is $23,500 – $26,000 with housing provided. Unhoused positions with additional compensation may also be available. Educators accrue paid time off throughout the work year. ACES’ benefit package includes an IRA, and medical and dental plans. 

Summary:

Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES), a nationally recognized leader in environmental education for people of all ages, seeks Environmental Educators for two of its sites, Rock Bottom Ranch and Hallam Lake.

Rock Bottom Ranch (RBR) educators are based at ACES’ 113-acre ranch located in Basalt, Colorado. RBR educators teach at Basalt Elementary School, Crystal River Elementary School or Kathryn Senor Elementary School, and may assist at other school sites in the Aspen, Roaring Fork and Re-2 School Districts.

Hallam Lake educators are based at ACES’ 25-acre nature preserve located in Aspen, Colorado. Hallam Lake Educators primarily teach at Aspen Elementary School or Basalt Elementary School and may assist at other school sites in the Roaring Fork and Re-2 School Districts.

Educator positions may be housed at either the Hallam Lake preserve in Aspen, Rock Bottom Ranch in Basalt or the ACES Farmhouse in Carbondale. Travel throughout the Roaring Fork Valley is required.

Responsibilities:

This position reports to the ACES School Programs Manager. The ACES Education Director and Community Programs Senior Manager also provide management and support. 

• Teach in the ACES classrooms located at Aspen, Basalt, Crystal River and Kathryn Senor Elementary schools. (40%)
  • Teach environmental education lessons to students in grades K-5.
  • Manage students in a classroom environment.
  • Develop and revise units and lesson plans for grades K-5 that are aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards and 2020 Colorado Academic Science Standards.
  • Create, prepare and obtain classroom materials and resources.
  • Coordinate and communicate with other classroom teachers, school principals and administrative staff.
  • Participate in school faculty meetings, professional development, and parent/teacher conferences.
  • Plan, coordinate and teach occasional evening programs for school families.
  • Maintain an understanding of best practices in education and classroom management.

• Teach ACES field science programs. (30%)
  • Teach non-residential environmental science field programs at various sites throughout the Roaring Fork Valley and beyond. 
  • Lead and safely manage students (K-12) in a wide range of environments and seasons (e.g. programs at 11,200 feet in elevation in winter conditions).
  • Maintain an understanding of best practices in environmental and outdoor education, and knowledge of local ecology.
  • Lead other ACES programs as needed, including some overnight, evening and weekend programs, as well as pre-K, adult and family programs.
     
• Teach ACES community programs. (20%) 
  • Teach children’s day and weeklong camps during winter, spring, and summer breaks. Weeklong summer camps are based at Hallam Lake and Rock Bottom Ranch, and may include hikes off site and overnight camping.
  • Develop, revise and document curriculum for associated programs.
  • Organize, create and prepare educational resources and materials for ACES youth programs.
  • Lead and support other community programs as needed, including adult and family programs and events. 

Secondary Responsibilities (10%):

• Assist and become involved with visitor center maintenance including resident animal management, ranch animal husbandry, interpretive exhibits and other ACES projects.
• Perform on-site visitor center hosting responsibilities. This includes greeting and engaging guests, answering telephone calls, informal visitor education, selling merchandise and fielding questions.
• Maintain site organization and cleanliness. 
• Other duties as assigned to further the mission of ACES. 

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree, or equivalent experience, in natural sciences, environmental education, agriculture education or related field
• Minimum of two years’ teaching experience in a classroom or outdoor setting, elementary grade level preferred
• Experience with curriculum writing and development of educational teaching materials 
• Knowledge of, and familiarity with, the Next Generation Science Standards
• Ability to work independently as well as within a team-oriented environment
• Strong organizational skills
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
• Current CPR and First Aid certifications, WFR or WFA preferred
• Fluency in Spanish is desired, but not required

How To Apply:

Please email your cover letter and resume to ACES’ Education Director, Andrea Aust, at aaust@aspennature.org. Hiring will occur on a rolling basis. Applications accepted until positions are filled. 

Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ACES does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, genetic information, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and organizational need.