Announcing a Search for the Director of Environmental Education For the Pine Mountain Settlement School Pine Mountain Settlement School, is seeking to hire a new Director of Environmental Education (EE). The current environmental education program has been serving students since the early 1970s and targets third to twelfth grade students. Students from across Kentucky and beyond participate in classes designed to provide a concentrated experiential learning experience in environmental education that satisfies the states core content requirement for science. In addition to working with students during the school year, the environmental education program currently offers several weekend programs for adults and occasionally works with college groups.
Established in 1913, Pine Mountain Settlement School (PMSS) is situated in the beautiful mountains of Harlan County, Kentucky, on 625 acres of wooded land. A portion of the land has been designated as a state nature preserve. The main campus has a number of historic buildings used for lodging, classrooms, and various other activities. There are miles of established trails throughout the property. The gardens at PMSS grow most of the vegetables prepared in the kitchen and PMSS hosts a Grow Appalachia outreach program for local citizens. PMSS seeks an educator with teaching experience who has a Masters degree or equivalent in a natural science focusing on the environment; an innovative individual who can grow the program to meet the needs of the education system in Kentucky and beyond, implementing the new Next Generation science standards and keeping ahead of the ever changing environmental educational practices. Field experience and the ability to model teaching in the living laboratory are required. The program has stressed the connection between people and the environment thus an understanding of Appalachian history and culture is strongly desired. The new Director will work with the Executive Director and staff to develop a coordinated program including sustainable food and farming practices into the EE program and throughout PMSS programs. In addition, new opportunities for offering college and adult level programs will be explored. The new Director of Environmental Education, under the direction of the Executive Director, will be responsible for recruiting schools, overseeing the environmental teaching staff, implementing new programs that will bring even more people to the School, and work to maintain and improve the trails and lands used in teaching. The new employee should demonstrate strong leadership and collaboration skills, efficient time management abilities, excellent teaching abilities and a lifelong desire to learn. Excellent public speaking skills and the ability to write well are very important. Grant writing and fund raising skills are a plus. The ideal candidate posses the following attributes: Strong environmental education degree(s) and experience; Teaching experience including K-12 teaching experience and experience teaching in the field; The ability to promote Pine Mountain Settlement School, the environmental education program, recruit schools and groups, and complete follow up activities as needed; The ability to grow the Schools Environmental Educations programs; Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; conflict resolution skills; Excellent collaboration skills; The ability to work well with others within and beyond the School; Knowledge of or the willingness to learn about Appalachian culture and history The willingness to engage in on-going professional learning and the ability to promote professional learning of the E.E. staff The Search Committee will accept nominations and applications until a new Director of Environmental Education is selected, although candidates should submit materials by May 15 for the most favorable consideration. The Search Committee will treat all inquires and applications with full confidentiality. Application material should include a letter of interest that addresses why the candidate is qualified for and is seeking the position and a statement of the candidates ability to teach environmental education classes. The application should also include a complete resume with the names and contact information for three references, none of whom will be contacted without formal permission of the candidate. Applications should be addressed to PMSS Search Committee and submitted electronically to [email protected]. Pine Mountain Settlement School values and embraces diversity through encouragement of applications from underrepresented groups. All applications for employment are considered without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age or disability.
