Seasonal Educator

Description

A Seasonal Educator with The Bee Conservancy is a multifaceted role that combines education with public engagement. The Seasonal Educator works closely with TBC’s program and executive team to facilitate public education events at our Bee Sanctuaries, partner sites, and beyond.

A storyteller, educator, and advocate for all bees and their habitat, the Seasonal Educator conveys TBC’s key talking points and conservation strategies to a wide range of audiences. They enjoy being outdoors, have the ability to interact with diverse groups, and have expertise in ecological and/or related knowledge. They use their skills of engagement and public speaking to convey key TBC goals and info around native bees, pollinator habitat, conservation and more. Their primary function is to represent TBC and to delight, educate and motivate audiences to take an active role in conservation action to protect bees.

Educators will be booked to speak or teach at events at our Bee Sanctuary sites (including Rocking the Boat in the Bronx, Central Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, Hells Kitchen Farm Project, Staten Island Zoo), or at other partner sites. 

Their primary responsibility will be to staff a portion of our public weekend Stewardship hours at our Governors Island site, which welcomes several thousand visitors each season. Located at the Urban Farm, our flagship Bee Sanctuary is accessible by ferry from Manhattan or Brooklyn and consists of native and edible plant beds, picnic tables, 1-2 honey beehives, cavity-nesting bee hotels, and storage shed. Shifts are 11am to 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays from May through October and entirely outdoors, with minimal access to electricity and shade. 

This role reports to the Program Manager of Sanctuaries and Events.  

Seasonal Educator Responsibilities:

• Working at TBC sanctuaries or partner sites for stewardship and education days/events
• Engaging passersby and answering questions about bees, bee habitat, and TBC mission/programming
• Speaking to the public, youth, and community groups about TBC and our work
• Leading TBC Pollinator Walks, Birds and Bees Talks, Urban Farm Tours, A Bee or Not A Bee, or other scripted TBC events 
• Leading site set-up and break-down
• Working with TBC interns and/or staff to ensure smooth running of events
• Monitoring and tracking locations of educational resources and assets in the field
• Liaising with partners: Educators are point-people for on-sites partner as needed
• Assisting with site maintenance, including weeding, weed-whacking, etc. to ensure that our GI site is inviting and orderly.
• Completing Event Recap forms after events
• Taking and uploading photos 
• Taking count of event metrics
• Sharing attendee response and suggestions via word of mouth and/or exit surveys
• Following and executing TBC guidelines and procedures.
• Escalating any issues or concerns regarding sanctuary/partner sites to the Program Manager.

Seasonal Educator Requirements

• Attend all 1-hour Monthly Educator Meetings, and any required trainings (all paid), which will include, but are not limited to:
• Trainings and Updates: Meet a Beekeeper Talk (if one has beekeeping experience), Pollinator Walk, Birds and Bees Walk and Urban Farm Tour
• Check-ins: Feedback, talking points, sharing updates on site setup/maintenance 
• TBC-Knowledge: TBC Programs, resources, pathways, etc.
• Work a minimum of four shifts per month on Governors Island Sanctuary Site during the May - October season, 11am - 5 pm, Saturday and/or Sunday.
• Work a minimum of four additional TBC events at GI or other Bee Sanctuary sites or partner sites for the annual event season.
• Attend TBC Zoom and other meetings as needed

Seasonal Educator Qualifications

• Experience with, or expertise in bees, horticulture/gardening, ecology, field science, entomology or related fields. 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. 
• Proficiency in Google Suite, Slack. 
• An app compatible phone/device with camera required. 
• A passion for sustainability and the environment.
• Ability to safely lift 30 lbs.
• Adept at public speaking and public engagement.
• Ability to work independently and with a cross-functional team.
• Reliability, proactive communication, attention to detail, and ability to juggle varied tasks.
• Comfort, sensitivity, and facility working with and in a broad range of communities.
• Outstanding work ethic and leadership potential.
• A flexible schedule with the ability to work evenings and/or weekends.

Commitment

Up to 20 hours per week

Rate: $25 / hour 

Location: NYC

It is the policy of The Bee Conservancy to provide for and promote equal employment opportunity in employment compensation and other terms and conditions of employment without discrimination based on age, race, creed, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, veteran status, genetic predisposition, or carrier status.

Billing Time

In-Person Educational Programming: Bill per hour for time worked on site. For travel, the initial 30 minutes of travel time is unpaid, but after 30 minutes, travel time is paid for the remaining time spent in transit.

Remote Work: Bill per hour of time worked remotely.