VYCC Field behind West Monitor Barn Park Educator leads an educational workshop 2009 Park Staff VT Park Park Educator and Park Crew Leader Park Corps Members Butterflies! AmeriCorps

Park Program

Park Educator

AmeriCorps Park Educators are at the leading edge of the VYCC’s efforts to bring the message of conservation and land stewardship to the community.


  • 2010 Park Educator Details
  • Position: AmeriCorps Park Educator
  • Position Type: Seasonal, Field-based
  • Salary: Living stipend, plus 900-hour AmeriCorps Educational Awawrd upon completion
  • Position Dates: April 26 – October 22
  • Application Process: Complete online application and submit cover letter, resume, and 3 references. Application will not be considered until we have received all four documents.
  • Application Deadline: Position open until filled



















Park Educators are responsible for creating and delivering engaging programs in environmental education to visitors in Vermont’s State Parks and United States Forest Service Recreation Areas. Working in small groups of five, your crew will:

  • Undergo pre-season training to orient yourself to VYCC and AmeriCorps, as well as prepare you to provide educational programming
  • Live together, but work independently at a number of State Parks and National Recreation Areas in your region
  • Manage day use parks and operation of camping areas at your base location
  • Professionally manage your schedule and work plan
  • Design and conduct environmental education programs for the public in a variety of settings
  • Uphold the VYCC’s mission statement

Training

Park Educators begin the season with an intense training period designed to teach the technical and interpersonal skills needed to have a successful VYCC season. The first part of training will be in-house at the VYCC headquarters in Richmond. The 2nd half of training will be spent becoming certified in a number of nationally accredited educational and disaster response programs. In addition, Park Educators will attend Park Management Training with the Vermont Department of Forest, Parks and Recreation.

In addition to what is taught each person is encouraged to further develop, identify, and share his or her own strengths and enhance their existing skills. The long days and nights spent as a group during training will also contribute to building the foundation of a strong community on each crew.

A sample of topics covered during training:

  • AmeriCorps Orientation
  • Risk management and Emergency Response Plans
  • Community and teambuilding
  • Time Management and developing work plans
  • Park/campground operation and management
  • Cooperative leadership
  • Administrative paperwork
  • Conservation education

After training, crews will have time to get their Parks or campgrounds ready for opening, as well as plan and prepare activities, lessons and logistics related to Visitor Programming.


Challenges & Rewards

Being a part of a diverse group of enthusiastic, knowledgeable and highly-trained leaders who work together to communicate the message of environmental stewardship is a rich experience for everyone involved, including the public that you will serve.

It will not be easy, however, and days and nights will be long. Like all positions at the VYCC, Park Educators must be prepared to take on new and unexpected responsibilities that come with being part of a dynamic organization. You will be pushed to expand your comfort zone in all aspects of the job. In the end, however, such responsibility offers the opportunity for growth and great rewards, as you share this experience with the local community, hundreds of park visitors and your fellow crew!


Park Educator Responsibilities

  • Develop and implement environmental education programs for park and recreation area visitors.
  • Provide instruction and training to a diverse group of park visitors
  • Train Corps Members and the public in emergency response skills
  • Further develop relationships with local communities to implement program goals
  • Lead formal and informal educational activities
  • Serve on a disaster relief crew as needed
  • Coordinate logistics required to work at multiple parks with a variety of audiences
  • Work as an independent member of a team of Park Educators
  • Work with Program partners to coordinate training opportunities for park personnel
  • Update VYCC Headquarters Staff on progress, developments, or challenges on a regular basis
  • Maintain relationships with Park Program Partners (Vermont State Parks, United States Forest Service, AmeriCorps, American Red Cross, other)
  • Upon completion of service, write a detailed final evaluation of the program

Fall Responsibilities

Some Vermont State Parks close after Labor Day in September, while some stay open until Columbus Day. Depending on your crew’s base location, you might move to a different region of Vermont to one of the State Parks operated by the VYCC. Here, you will continue to provide educational opportunities and visitor programming to the community, as well as assist VYCC Park Crew Leaders in park operations and seasonal close out tasks.


Qualifications

  • Strong interest in environmental stewardship
  • Dedication to service
  • Strong desire to teach personal responsibility
  • Excellent organization and communication skills, including customer service
  • Background in environmental education or emergency response strongly desired
  • Problem-solving ability, self-confidence, and a strong work ethic
  • Sound judgment, creativity, humor, and maturity
  • Interpretive, naturalist, or public speaking experience
  • Outdoor leadership experience
  • Good driving record, a valid driver's license, and willingness to use a personal vehicle with compensation included
  • Clearance through a criminal background check

Benefits

  • Living Stipend – Exact stipend amount will be determined in January 2010
  • Training Stipend - Park Educators will receive an additional stipend upon successful completion of their training period
  • Trainings - Project Learning Tree, Project Wet, Project Wild, CPR/First Aid Instructor Training, Shelter Operations (Red Cross), Emergency Response Vehicle Training (Red Cross), MASS Care, Certified Interpreter Guide Training (Nat’l Association of Interpreters), Leave No Trace Instructor Training, and others as needed/available
  • Room and Board
  • AmeriCorps Education Award – amount to be determined in January 2010 - offered to all qualifying individuals (pending successful grant application)
  • Valuable Job Skills - Learn management, interpretation, work, time management, and leadership skills.
  • Exceptional Work Environment and Travel Opportunities - Live, work, and travel in the Green Mountains of Vermont
  • Sterling College Education Award - $1,000 scholarship available to all VYCC alumni accepted to attend Sterling College in Craftsbury, VT

View PDF of Park Educator job description


For more information about the Park Program's Park Educator positions, please contact Ry at 802.434.3969 x131 or ry.parcell@vycc.org.


Apply Online!