Outdoor Learning Network Contractor

I. District of Columbia Environmental Education Consortium (DCEEC)

The District of Columbia Environmental Education Consortium (DCEEC) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that provides educators with opportunities for networking, event coordination and communications regarding professional development and educational opportunities in the District.

The mission of DCEEC is to bolster a network of environmental educators, increasing their capacity to provide meaningful environmental education for residents of the District of Columbia. The member organizations, who align their programs to DCPS Standards of Learning, in turn impart environmental expertise, professional development opportunities, curricula and resources, as well as hands-on classroom and investigative field studies to District schools. DCEEC partners include the District Department of the Environment, District of Columbia Public Schools, Public Charter School Board, Office of State Superintendent of Education, and the State Board of Education. More information may be found on DCEEC's website: https://dceec.org

The landscape for Environmental Education providers has changed in the years since the COVID-19 Pandemic, and the leadership team at DCEEC, with feedback from its larger stakeholder community, is focusing our efforts on better ways to support EE providers. At the 2025 Chesapeake Environmental Literacy Forum, DC participants expressed interest in the development of school district environmental literacy plans. DCEEC believes that a strong network can help DC local education agencies and EE providers support systemic environmental literacy for the District.

II. DCEEC Contractor

DCEEC seeks a part-time contractor (Network Weaver) who will support the executive committee in supporting environmental education providers across the District of Columbia. This work will be divided into two overarching categories: offering organizational structure to ongoing board efforts, including logistics for public meetings and events; and acting as primary liaison for a regional DC Outdoor Learning Network.

Necessary Qualifications:

• Experience with nonprofit operations.
• Familiarity with the DC Environmental Education community and general educational landscape.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and a willingness to communicate regularly with supervisors to report progress.
• Experience communicating information in a variety of ways, written and verbal.
• Experience planning and facilitating meetings.
• Computer literacy, able to use the Internet, and software programs such as Word, Excel, Powerpoint, or similar programs.
• Flexibility regarding hours; some irregular hours may be necessary.
• A desire to ensure environmental education is equitably accessible across the District, and a willingness to explore environmental education in all its forms.
• Beneficial, but not required:
  • Experience working on education policy and working collaboratively with a variety of stakeholders.

III. Tasks to Be Performed

1. Support Outdoor Learning Network Working Group
   1. Work with DCEEC board to develop a Working Group Charter
   2. Coordinate logistics, including organizing participant stipends, meeting times, reminders
   3. Develop interview questions and conduct formal interviews with leaders of other regional EE Networks
   4. Conduct listening session with DC EE providers
   5. Complete DC environmental education SWOT analysis
   6. Produce summary of insights on DC Outdoor Learning Network
   7. Support DCEEC board in integrating insights into 2026 and 2027 strategic goals
   8. Act as liaison for Regional Outdoor Learning Network Working Group to DCEEC board
2. Support DCEEC operations
   1. Support DCEEC board members in filing necessary organizational paperwork (business licenses, IRS paperwork as requested).
   2. Coordinate outreach and logistics for regular DCEEC meetings:
      1. Monthly Planning Team meetings.
      2. Bi-annual DCEEC public meetings
   3. Conduct outreach to organizations interested in providing EE but not already involved with DCEEC to increase the number and diversity of organizations and educators involved with the organization.

IV. Conditions

The following conditions are expected of the firm/individual selected:

1. In case of the failure by the selected firm to perform the duties and obligations imposed by the resulting contract, DCEEC may, upon verbal notice, to be confirmed in writing, procure the necessary services from other sources and hold the firm responsible for any and all additional expenses occasioned thereby;
2. Any work to be subcontracted by any "other subcontractor" shall be clearly identified and such "other subcontractor" shall be approved by DCEEC prior to contract issuance;
3. Payment for Federal, state, or foreign taxes is not allowable;
4. Payment for legal fees of any type is not allowable without prior written approval of DCEEC;
5. It is understood that funding for the ensuing contract is dependent on DCEEC receiving funding from its sponsoring agencies. Should funding from the sponsoring agency be delayed, for any reason, DCEEC shall make a concomitant delay in funding to the contractor;
6. CONTRACTOR must submit monthly written reports and invoices as well as present a verbal report to DCEEC bi-monthly;
7. This is a 350-400-hour contract, expected to take approximately 4-16 hours per week, and daily hours may vary, depending on tasks and meetings. DCEEC does not have office space – the selected individual will work at home or at any desired location;
8. We prefer this position to be filled by someone in the DC metro area. Some meetings will occur around DC; we are unable to offer the contract to someone who is not local.

V. Period of Performance

1. The period of performance shall be from contract execution through completion of hours, or through October, 2026, whichever comes first.
2. The period of performance may be extended, with the mutual written authorization of both parties through a one-year period. The extension of the period of performance will be determined by, among other factors, the funding authorized for this project and the negotiated budget.

Further Information

Questions concerning the scope of work should be directed to Brianne Studer, Chair of DCEEC at dceecnaturally@gmail.com. Questions will be accepted through October 5, 2025. Proposals will be accepted via email only.