3 Education / Training jobs

Job Title: IFS Station Director Location: Forfar Field Station, Andros, Bahamas Director Description and Duties: Assumes leadership role of the field station staff team, encouraging and fostering positive attitudes, setting a good example, and prioritizing staff efforts. Communicates frequently with the Executive Director regarding all aspects of the field station operations and with the Program Coordinator to ensure trip instructors expectations are met. Works closely with the Facilities Director to ensure facilities, vehicles and vessels are maintained. Assumes leadership role in the working relationship of the field study/trip instructors and field station staff insuring both the educational program expectations of the instructor and the operational limitations of the field station and staff are realistic and negotiated equitably when necessary. Ensures that equipment and staff resources at the field station are used efficiently and fairly when more than one school group is utilizing the field station to meet the needs of each group as equitably as possible. Acts as a representative of both the field station and International Field Studies, Inc. in dealing with the local community, local partner organizations such as Bahamas National Trust and government officials such as customs and immigration officers. Staff management includes : delegate and assign duties to education staff; mediate problems in a direct and fair manner; coordinates staff work schedules; with the Executive Director, bi-annually evaluates performance of Forfar Field Station staff members; periodically observes and assesses education staff classroom presentations and in field teaching. Operations management includes: identifies staff and field station needs and supplies; oversees the food ordering, manages the kitchen staff, and keeps an inventory of supplies; keeps detailed records of expenditures; provides receipts to the office; bi-monthly prepares payroll for staff; prepares a weekly budget and petty cash reconciliation reports. The Director is expected to step into the Environmental Education Intern’s role if needed and their job expectations are listed below: Environmental Education : IFS employees’ supplement the group leader's knowledge with local site information and topical lectures. The level of assistance with educational programming will vary according to the group leader’s expertise and experience. Must become knowledgeable in basic level local flora and fauna. Trip Facilitation: IFS employees are expected to stay in close contact with the group leader, transport the group to their desired sites, and monitor the group's safety while doing so. Must become proficient with driving station vehicles. Field Station Operations: There are daily, weekly, and monthly tasks to be completed to maintain full operation of the field station. Maintenance: All employees participate in maintenance and repair of the vehicles, boats, buildings, and other equipment as needed. Required/Desired Qualifications: • BS in Environmental Education, Marine Biology, Outdoor Recreation and Leadership, Operations Management, or similar major • Managerial experience or team leadership • Experience with diving (Dive Master required), snorkeling, and driving boats • Experience with facilitation and leading trips • Experience creating and presenting educational programming (middle school to adult audiences a plus) • Experience with bookkeeping (QuickBooks a plus), inventory tracking, and/or supply ordering • Experience with facilities maintenance and upkeep • Key personality traits include: ability to live and work in a small group environment with limited personal space in rustic and rural conditions, flexible and adaptable, responsible and safety conscientious, relatable and personable with students/group leaders/visitors/locals, a team player with a good work ethic, leadership skills • Must have a valid Driver’s License and be comfortable driving large vans on unpaved, rural roads • Must consent to and pass a Background Check • Physical requirements: Must be able to and desire to spend time diving, snorkeling, or driving boats for up to 8 hours a day, must be able to climb up and down ladders, must be able to lift 50 lbs, and must be able to drive a van for up to 1.5 hours at a time • Must be able to commit to a minimum of two years Compensation: A monthly stipend (between $800-$1000) with lodging and food is provided. Housing is shared with a roommate in a two-bedroom open air cabin (no A/C or heating) with a bathroom, kitchenette, and living space/office space. Additionally, professional dive insurance, some travel expenses, work visa application fees and renewals, and a monthly stipend towards medical insurance are provided. The Director is allowed to have four free guests per year and is entitled to four weeks paid vacation per year. How to Apply: Send your cover letter and resume to Lindsey Christ, Executive Director, lindsey@intlfieldstudies.org, no phone calls please.

Job Title: Environmental Education Internship Location: Forfar Field Station, Andros, Bahamas International Field Studies, Inc. is a non-profit organization promoting science education and research since 1970. IFS provides students with the unique opportunity for hands-on, outdoor, environmental education. Offering trips that range in length from one week to one semester, subjects such as marine biology, botany, ornithology, geology, oceanography, or ichthyology can be covered individually as areas of specialization or comprehensively in a broad overview of subtropical ecology. There are many topics to be explored in the social sciences as there is a rich culture and interesting history embodied in the people the island. IFS believes an interdisciplinary approach to learning is especially well suited to the field studies environment. IFS functions as a facilitator for educational groups (ranging from middle school to graduate level college students) seeking expertise and logistical support. IFS also facilities research by assisting researchers with their logistical needs on Andros. Andros is the largest island in the Bahamas but is sparsely populated with little development. Located off the east coast of the island is the third largest barrier reef in the world and the Tongue of the Ocean. Home to different plant communities and a wide variety of endemic plants and animals. Geologists are attracted to many features in the Bahamas, including the thick limestone foundation of the islands dramatically cut by deep channels. Andros is known for its 178 inland and 50 oceanic blue holes. Interns will be involved in a variety of duties such as: Environmental Education: IFS interns supplements the group leader's knowledge with local site information and topical lectures. The level of assistance with educational programming will vary according to the group leader’s expertise and experience. Interns should be prepared to act as a naturalist with a general knowledge of all of the terrestrial and marine ecosystems of Andros. Trip Facilitation: IFS interns members are expected to stay in close contact with the group leader, transport the group to their desired sites, and monitor the group's safety while doing so. Field Station Operations : There are daily, weekly, and monthly tasks to be completed to maintain full operation of the field station. Each intern will be involved to varying degrees with the daily tasks, such as interacting with the guests, manning the lodge, running errands, unloading shipments, communicating with the office in Columbus, Ohio, and other duties as necessary. Maintenance: All interns participate in maintenance and repair of the vehicles, boats, buildings, other equipment, landscaping and other facilities tasks as needed. Desired Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Education, Marine Biology, Ecology, Fisheries, Botany, Geology, Environmental Biology, or similar science or education major Experience with diving, spearfishing, snorkeling, kayaking, lifeguarding, and/or driving boats Experience with facilitation and leading trips Experience creating and presenting educational programming (middle school to adult audiences a plus) Key personality traits include: ability to live and work in a small group environment with limited personal space in rustic and rural conditions, flexible and adaptable, responsible and safety conscious, relatable and personable with students/group leaders/visitors/locals, a team player with a good work ethic Must have a valid Driver’s License and be comfortable driving large vans on unpaved, rural roads Must consent to and pass a Background Check Physical requirements: Must be able to and desire to spend time diving, snorkeling, or drive boats for up to 8 hours a day, must be able to climb up and down ladders, must be able to lift 50 lbs, and must be able to drive a van for up to 5 hours at a time Internship Program: The internship runs from October 2019 until August 2020 with some flexibility on end dates. The first month is dedicated to training of all the new interns. Interns will not be paid for the first month of training. At any time during the training period, interns can be asked to leave the program if they are deemed by the Station Director to not be a good fit for our program. Training will include but not limited to: trip leading and planning, basic education on local flora and fauna, and station management. Days are long with 1-2 days off per week. In November and February, SCUBA certifications will be offered to all interns. Other training opportunities may include: Wilderness First Aid, Leave No Trace, and ACA Sea Kayaking certifications. Interns are expected to stay until the end of the summer season (typically mid to late August). Interns may stay on for more than one year if it is mutually agreed upon by the intern and the Station Director as a Senior Intern with a pay increase. Compensation: The monthly stipend for interns will be $500 per month with room and board provided. IFS will cover up to $100 on actual medical expenses per month. Interns are allowed to have two free guests during their year-long internship. Interns are entitled to two weeks paid vacation during their year-long internship. Interns are required to pay for their flights to and from the island. Interns who complete their internship will have their first flight to the field station and their return flight reimbursed. How to Apply: Send in a current resume, cover letter, and the internship application (found on the website) to lindsey@intlfieldstudies.org . All questions should also be emailed to lindsey@intlfieldstudies.org . No calls please.