Applications Due: Friday, July 7, 2023
POSITION TITLE: Superior Rivers Rivers2Lake Education Program Coordinator
GEOGRAPHIC AREAS SERVED: Northwest Wisconsin within the Lake Superior Basin, including Ashland, Bayfield and Iron counties with occasional work in Douglas County, WI and St. Louis County in Minnesota.
LOCATION: Superior Rivers Watershed Association, 113 W. Main Street, Ashland WI 54806
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Rivers2Lake Education Program Coordinator position is offered cooperatively by a partnership between the Superior Rivers Watershed Association (https://superiorrivers.org/) and the Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve (https://lakesuperiornerr.org/). This is a two year, limited term position funded through a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
This Program Coordinator will develop a sustained, high quality professional development network of teachers in the St. Louis River Estuary watershed and Wisconsin’s Lake Superior Basin and provide place-based, experiential, inclusive learning opportunities about freshwater estuaries and the Lake Superior watershed. The Rivers2Lake Education Program Coordinator (the Coordinator) will work with Rivers2Lake program (https://rivers2lake.org/) participants to provide interdisciplinary, inquiry based, and outdoor experiences for students through mentoring and professional development for teachers. The Program Coordinator will also support existing education and outreach events through the Superior Rivers Watershed Association (SRWA).
Based in Ashland, Wisconsin, this position works in close collaboration with staff at the Lake Superior National Estuarine Research Reserve (Lake Superior Reserve) who lead the Rivers2Lake Education Program, Dr. Kevin Zak-Associate Professor of Teacher Education and Education Department Chair at Northland College, National Park Service staff, teachers, school administrators, and other partner organizations. Reimbursable travel to area schools and outdoor locations will be required using a personal vehicle, with occasional trips to Superior, WI.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
In this new position, the Coordinator will expand Rivers2Lake beyond the current one-year program by supporting and sustaining teachers’ professional development and shared learning via a network of place-based learning, Great Lakes literacy, stewardship, and watershed restoration. Year 1 focuses on building a teacher mentor network through relationship-building and data-collection with Rivers2Lake teacher alumni, and providing outdoor watershed learning experiences for local teachers. Year 2 emphasizes supporting the teacher mentor network so that they can support an expanded number of teachers in Rivers2Lake. A summary of duties includes the following:
Teacher Professional Development (30%)
Connect with approximately 2-6 teachers enrolled in the Rivers2Lake program in Northwest Wisconsin and provide mentorship for this group in collaboration with the efforts of the Lake Superior Reserve and Rivers2Lake teachers based closer to Superior, Wisconsin.
- Arrange and conduct in‐school and virtual meetings monthly with teachers to assist them in planning, integrating, teaching, and evaluating outdoor and inquiry based learning in their classrooms.
- Teach students through cross‐curricular outdoor and inquiry based learning experiences that incorporate Lake Superior watershed related topics.
- Adapt, update, and create curriculum, including incorporation of educational resources published by Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission (GLIFWC) that highlight Ojibwe perspectives and culture.
- Create and maintain positive collaborative relationships with teachers, school administrators, students and community members from diverse backgrounds (throughout all duties).
- Recruit teachers to apply for the Rivers2Lake program for the next school year.
Mentor Network Development (30%)
Reconnect with alumni teachers of the Rivers2Lake program to gather information, needs, and interests within the network of program alumni and design an alumni mentorship network which supports teachers needs and desires.
- Engage with Rivers2Lake alumni and assess post-program needs, interests, and support required.
- Work with Northland College Education Consultant to create a mentoring model based on existing models and input from alumni.
- Build a network of alumni to support currently enrolled teachers in using place-based, inquiry-based and outdoor teaching methods in the Lake Superior watershed, and to sustainably expand the number of participants in the Rivers2Lake program.
- Establish a connected and self-sustaining professional network of teachers, teacher mentors, and Rivers2Lake staff.
Educational Support for Superior Rivers Watershed Association (40%)
Support and expand existing education and outreach efforts at Superior Rivers Watershed Association, including educational programs for all ages, volunteer support, and communications.
- Contribute to writing and communications, including website text and pages, newsletter content, and/or social media outreach.
- Develop and offer educational programs based on water quality monitoring and other work of Superior Rivers or partner organizations (including GLIFWC, Mashkiiziibii Natural Resources Department, National Park Service, Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center, Great Lakes Aquarium, and more).
- Represent the Rivers2Lake Education Program and Superior Rivers Watershed Association at various venues and public events.
QUALIFICATIONS
Required
- Degree or considerable experience in formal education, environmental or outdoor education, watershed outreach, or related discipline.
- Experience as an educator in or with public schools (formal or non‐formal education).
- Strong ability to develop and maintain a healthy, independent work plan and schedule.
- Attention to administrative details and ability to independently and collaboratively plan and manage lesson, program, and/or event logistics.
- Strong environmental, outdoor, and inquiry‐based teaching and facilitation methods.
- Ability to work with students (minors) in a school setting.
- Experience planning and instructing engaging outdoor and inquiry-based education programs with youth and adults, including risk management.
- Interpersonal communication skills that promote positive and productive workplace and partner relationships.
- Demonstrated experience building effective relationships with people from different cultural backgrounds, including those associated with race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, socioeconomic status, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, and other aspects of human diversity, especially Tribal Nations.
- Valid driver’s license and access to a personal vehicle for reimbursable work travel.
Preferred
- Teaching licensure and/or Master’s Degree in Education or related field.
- Experience in planning and facilitating professional development for educators.
- Knowledge of cultural and natural history in Western Lake Superior and its watersheds.
- Knowledge of scientific and ecological processes, especially related to watersheds, water quality and Lake Superior.
- Ability to collaborate with researchers and integrate applied scientific research into curriculum.
- Ability to collaborate with Tribal liaisons and integrate traditional knowledge into curriculum.
- Understanding of state and federal educational standards and the application of standards in the classroom.
- Experience conducting education and/or social science research and evaluation.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
- This is a two-year, limited term, grant funded position from approximately August 2023 to June 2025.
- This is a hybrid position with flexible hours and scheduling. Work locations are flexible and include remote work, shared office space in the SRWA office in Ashland, and outdoor or school-based field locations. Some weeknights or weekends may be required depending on educational program requirements.
- SRWA’s Executive Director is the on‐site manager for this position. The program manager is the Lake Reserve Education Coordinator.
- Movement outdoors over uneven ground is part of this position. Must be able to move or work with others to move educational equipment, up to 50 pounds in weight, and navigate over uneven terrain outdoors or on non-motorized boats (ie canoes and kayaks), occasionally in cold, hot, wet, and/or buggy conditions.
- This position involves travel to schools within the geographic area served. Mileage is reimbursable from the SRWA office in Ashland, WI to participating schools.
SALARY:
The Rivers2Lake Education Program Coordinator position is a 32 hours per week position on average with an hourly wage of $20.00/hour. Benefits include sick time and paid time off .
TO APPLY: Please email a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references in PDF format to Alex Faber, Superior Rivers Watershed Association Executive Director at alex @ superiorrivers.org by 11:59 pm on Friday, July 7, 2023. Questions about the position or application process can be directed to Alex. Applicants will be notified ahead of time if references will be contacted.
TIMELINE: Start date is Monday, August 7, 2023 to be part of the Rivers2Lake Summer Institute which kicks-off the program for the coming school year. This is a two-year, limited term, grant funded position from approximately August 2023 to June 2025.
Job Types: Full-time, Temporary
Pay: $20.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Paid time off
Schedule:
- Monday to Friday
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Ashland, WI 54806: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Ashland, WI 54806
