Position Title: *Director of Conservation Education** *(full-time) * *
Huyck Preserve and Biological Research Station Rensselaerville, NY * * *Background: *The Huyck Preserve and Biological Research Station is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to preservation, education, and research. This 2,000-acre Preserve is located approximately 28 miles southwest of Albany, NY, in the historic village of Rensselaerville. The Preserve, which protects the natural beauty of the Rensselaerville Falls, the watershed of Lake Myosotis and surrounding lands, is one of the oldest biological research stations in the United States and has supported research continuously since 1938. In addition to supporting research (by providing modest grants and making facilities available to researchers), it offers educational programs, and is open to the general public for recreational use of the lake (swimming, non-motorized boats, fishing) and trails (hiking and cross-country skiing). For further information about the Preserve see: www.huyckpreserve.org * * *Position Overview: *The Director of Conservation Education (DCE) will bring a Ph.D. level scientist to the Preserve’s year round staff to focus on a) strengthening existing public program and youth offerings for the community, and b) developing new education courses for the field station that will emphasize and utilize the Preserve’s conservation and biological research programs. * * *General Duties:* The DCE will lead the development of education programs, policies and procedures at the Huyck Preserve in a range of science disciplines, focused on primary, secondary and undergraduate education. He/she will work to ensure program quality, effective pedagogy and robust scientific basis for all education at the Huyck Preserve. She/he will also have an important role assisting in the creation and implementation of stewardship plans for the 2,000 acre Preserve. The DCE will work to integrate the new stewardship plans, monitoring and past research projects into the Preserve’s public programs and formal education courses. The DCE will serve as the Program Director for the three week summer high school residential course *Fundamentals of Field Ecology* and additional new programs that will be developed in the coming years. - In the first few years, the Director of Conservation Education will have a leadership role in designing and implementing new, rigorous science and research programs at the middle school, high school and undergraduate levels. - The DCE will have primary responsibility for the coordination and evaluation of natural history focused public programs at the Preserve. A central mission of the Huyck Preserve’s education program is to increase the scientific knowledge of and love for the natural world for the local community, membership and Greater Capital Region around Albany, NY. - The DCE will be expected to develop new proposals, in concert with the Executive Director and Board Committees, leading to success with major educational grants for the organization. These initiatives may include a proposal to federal agencies such as NSF, EPA, NOAA, NASA, New York State grant programs and foundations. - The DCE will also be involved with researching, proposing and implementing significant revenue generating education programs for the field station, in coordination with the Executive Director and Board Committees. *Qualifications:* Ph.D. in the natural sciences (e.g. Natural Resources, Conservation Biology, Ecology, etc…) The successful candidate will have a combination of experiences with: - Teaching, experience with field-based learning experiences (participant and/or instructor) - Proposal development and/or grant writing - Developing and implementing stewardship plans and/or familiarity with northeast habitat conservation strategies - Ecological monitoring and data management, GIS experience appreciated - Familiarity and comfort with a broad range of field research tools and methods - Significant natural history knowledge in one or more areas applicable to the northeast, experience with interpretation appreciated The successful candidate will have superior organizational skills and strong verbal communication skills. He/she also should be highly personable and have experience establishing successful working relationships. He/she also must be enthusiastic, creative, have an entrepreneurial spirit and be an effective team member and leader. The Huyck Preserve has a small year round staff, yet it is growing quickly and has an ambitious mission which covers several programs from education to conservation to research and public programs. The successful candidate must be able to galvanize the interest of a variety of potential collaborators in the conservation, research and education activities of the Huyck Preserve. He/she must embrace working with diverse constituencies, thrive in a fast-paced work environment and be comfortable wearing multiple hats and transition quickly from one to another. A warm sense of humor is greatly appreciated. * * *Desirable Additional Qualifications:* Prior professional experience with a land trust or other conservation organization(s) Prior educational or professional experience with a biological field station(s) Prior recipient of grant awards Proficiency in GIS Professional development and teacher training experience Proficiency in 21st century communication (blogs, social media, web applications) Experience with sensor networks and/or long term ecological monitoring Experience with program evaluation * * *Salary and Benefits:* $35,000 annual starting salary, health insurance, a generous vacation policy and up to 10% of time to conduct independent research and prepare manuscripts over the course of the year as other responsibilities permit. *Application Procedures:* Applicants should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae or resume, and a list of at least three references with their contact information by e-mail to [email protected]. Formal review of applications will begin May 10 th, 2011 and continue until the position is filled. * * *The Huyck Preserve is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against persons on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, marital status, age, disability or veterans status.*
