Education Director
The Education Director is a key leadership position at YSI reporting directly to the Executive Director. The Education Director is responsible for the overall strategic vision, management, and integration of all YSI educational programs (School and Group Programs, Summer Science Camps, Science Safaris, etc.), Nature Center exhibits, and events (Earth Day, Wildlife Festival, etc.).
Job Title:
Education Director
Reports To:
Executive Director
Classification:
Full-time/Exempt
Salary Range:
$90,000 - $110,000 per year
Benefits:
Paid days off, Health & Welfare Plan, 403b Retirement Plan
Duties and Responsibilities:
• Develop and execute a strategic education plan to support YSI’s mission to inspire enthusiasm for science and a love of learning.
• Determine which, if any, third-party events YSI will attend. Ensure proper staffing of third- party events.
• Assess existing program curriculum and modify, as necessary. If appropriate, integrate technology into existing or new YSI programs.
• Develop new curriculum as necessary (e.g., new climate change curriculum).
• Plan and direct programs to support an informal education community (pre-school groups through sixth grade) by developing experiential, inquiry- and standards-based science curriculum while ensuring engaging content and delivery.
• Oversee all YSI programs such as the Earth Day, Wildlife Festival, School and Group Programs, Summer Science Camps, Science Saturdays, and Science Safaris.
• Engage and manage a dynamic, flexible workforce, and ensure the proper education staff is in place to run all weekday- and weekend-programs.
• Ensure all program budget goals are met (income and expense).
• Assist with marketing and advertising for all YSI educational programs.
• Collaborate with internal staff and third parties to develop and implement an analytical framework with metrics and processes for evaluating the impact of YSI’s educational programming. Analyze results and make appropriate program changes to improve.
• Design interactive hands-on science programs, events, and exhibits at YSI facilities and in the community. Ensure new and rotating exhibits are available for the public on a routine basis.
• Ensure that Nature Centers are open as required by lease and funding agreements with the County of Santa Clara and the City of San Jose, respectively.
• Oversee the hiring and management of seasonal staff for summer programs.
• Hire, train, and manage all education staff such as managers, instructors, animal care staff, and administrators.
• Oversee recruiting, screening, and training of volunteers used for educational programs and events, including third-party events.
• Assist the Executive Director in gathering program statistics necessary for grants and grant reports, including County reports. At the request of the Executive Director, may assist in the writing of County reports.
• Attend partnership meetings, County Parks meetings, Park Commission meetings, City of San Jose meetings, and other meetings, as necessary.
• Interface with school district administrators, schoolteachers, and funders, as necessary.
• Ensure Minimum Program Services are met as required by lease agreements and funding agreements with the County of Santa Clara and the City of San Jose.
• Ensure facility and building maintenance issues are handled at three park locations
• Other duties as assigned by Executive Director
Education and Experience:
Years of Experience: Minimum of 10-12 years of overall experience and minimum of 5 years experience managing staff of 20+, including hiring, reviewing performance, training, and terminating preferred.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in science, environmental studies, education, engineering, or related field preferred.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
• Knowledge of Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
• Interest in technology and the desire to integrate technology into existing and new programs, events, and exhibits. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Computer literate in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint programs.
• Acute attention to detail.
• A sincere interest in children, education, science, nature, and animals.
• Ability to influence staff and interact with co-workers and the public in a positive, professional manner; ability to collaborate with people of diverse backgrounds and circumstances.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Ability to adapt and be flexible as priorities shift.
• Posses a valid driver’s license, proof of insurance, and have access to a car.
• Must complete DOJ/FBI fingerprinting and TB testing requirements.
• Able to travel locally between the three YSI locations in Alum Rock, Vasona, and Sanborn Parks.
Physical Requirements:
• Stand for extended durations up to 6 hours
• Move items up to 30 pounds
• See 12-point font and see people up to distances of 300 feet
• Walk for up to 1.5 hours and up to one mile
• Run and/or jog on flat and hilly surfaces and navigate a 30-degree slope. Surfaces include but are not limited to, grass, gravel, wet and dry surfaces, uneven and/or rocky soil
• Communicate clearly and be understood by groups of children and adults for periods of up to 6 hours
• Kneel and sit occasionally
For accommodations for these activities, staff should submit requests to Executive Director. This position specification is not an employment contract. YSI is an at-will employer. YSI reserves the right to modify, add, or change this specification for the Education Director position at any time.
YSI Inclusion Statement:
YSI has an inclusive, understanding, and equitable working environment. We believe that each of our board members, staff, and volunteers enriches the work environment. It is our intent to maintain a work environment that is free of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation based on an individual's race(including traits associated with race, which include, but are not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as natural hairstyles, afros, bantu knots, curls, braids, locks, and twists), color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender (including gender identity and gender expression), age (40 years and over), sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status, protected medical leaves (requesting or approved for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act or the California Family Rights Act), domestic violence victim status, political affiliation, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws
Interested applicants should submit cover letter and resume to Erika Buck, YSI Executive Director, at erika@ysi-ca.org.
Education Director
Reports To:
Executive Director
Classification:
Full-time/Exempt
Salary Range:
$90,000 - $110,000 per year
Benefits:
Paid days off, Health & Welfare Plan, 403b Retirement Plan
Duties and Responsibilities:
• Develop and execute a strategic education plan to support YSI’s mission to inspire enthusiasm for science and a love of learning.
• Determine which, if any, third-party events YSI will attend. Ensure proper staffing of third- party events.
• Assess existing program curriculum and modify, as necessary. If appropriate, integrate technology into existing or new YSI programs.
• Develop new curriculum as necessary (e.g., new climate change curriculum).
• Plan and direct programs to support an informal education community (pre-school groups through sixth grade) by developing experiential, inquiry- and standards-based science curriculum while ensuring engaging content and delivery.
• Oversee all YSI programs such as the Earth Day, Wildlife Festival, School and Group Programs, Summer Science Camps, Science Saturdays, and Science Safaris.
• Engage and manage a dynamic, flexible workforce, and ensure the proper education staff is in place to run all weekday- and weekend-programs.
• Ensure all program budget goals are met (income and expense).
• Assist with marketing and advertising for all YSI educational programs.
• Collaborate with internal staff and third parties to develop and implement an analytical framework with metrics and processes for evaluating the impact of YSI’s educational programming. Analyze results and make appropriate program changes to improve.
• Design interactive hands-on science programs, events, and exhibits at YSI facilities and in the community. Ensure new and rotating exhibits are available for the public on a routine basis.
• Ensure that Nature Centers are open as required by lease and funding agreements with the County of Santa Clara and the City of San Jose, respectively.
• Oversee the hiring and management of seasonal staff for summer programs.
• Hire, train, and manage all education staff such as managers, instructors, animal care staff, and administrators.
• Oversee recruiting, screening, and training of volunteers used for educational programs and events, including third-party events.
• Assist the Executive Director in gathering program statistics necessary for grants and grant reports, including County reports. At the request of the Executive Director, may assist in the writing of County reports.
• Attend partnership meetings, County Parks meetings, Park Commission meetings, City of San Jose meetings, and other meetings, as necessary.
• Interface with school district administrators, schoolteachers, and funders, as necessary.
• Ensure Minimum Program Services are met as required by lease agreements and funding agreements with the County of Santa Clara and the City of San Jose.
• Ensure facility and building maintenance issues are handled at three park locations
• Other duties as assigned by Executive Director
Education and Experience:
Years of Experience: Minimum of 10-12 years of overall experience and minimum of 5 years experience managing staff of 20+, including hiring, reviewing performance, training, and terminating preferred.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in science, environmental studies, education, engineering, or related field preferred.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
• Knowledge of Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).
• Interest in technology and the desire to integrate technology into existing and new programs, events, and exhibits. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Computer literate in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint programs.
• Acute attention to detail.
• A sincere interest in children, education, science, nature, and animals.
• Ability to influence staff and interact with co-workers and the public in a positive, professional manner; ability to collaborate with people of diverse backgrounds and circumstances.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Ability to adapt and be flexible as priorities shift.
• Posses a valid driver’s license, proof of insurance, and have access to a car.
• Must complete DOJ/FBI fingerprinting and TB testing requirements.
• Able to travel locally between the three YSI locations in Alum Rock, Vasona, and Sanborn Parks.
Physical Requirements:
• Stand for extended durations up to 6 hours
• Move items up to 30 pounds
• See 12-point font and see people up to distances of 300 feet
• Walk for up to 1.5 hours and up to one mile
• Run and/or jog on flat and hilly surfaces and navigate a 30-degree slope. Surfaces include but are not limited to, grass, gravel, wet and dry surfaces, uneven and/or rocky soil
• Communicate clearly and be understood by groups of children and adults for periods of up to 6 hours
• Kneel and sit occasionally
For accommodations for these activities, staff should submit requests to Executive Director. This position specification is not an employment contract. YSI is an at-will employer. YSI reserves the right to modify, add, or change this specification for the Education Director position at any time.
YSI Inclusion Statement:
YSI has an inclusive, understanding, and equitable working environment. We believe that each of our board members, staff, and volunteers enriches the work environment. It is our intent to maintain a work environment that is free of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation based on an individual's race(including traits associated with race, which include, but are not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as natural hairstyles, afros, bantu knots, curls, braids, locks, and twists), color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), gender (including gender identity and gender expression), age (40 years and over), sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status, protected medical leaves (requesting or approved for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act or the California Family Rights Act), domestic violence victim status, political affiliation, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws
Interested applicants should submit cover letter and resume to Erika Buck, YSI Executive Director, at erika@ysi-ca.org.
