Job Opportunities

Founded more than 50 years ago in 1965 as a pioneer in a then-new field called environmental education, we are still pioneering.

Our Nature Preschool, started in only 2013, was the first such nature-based program in Pennsylvania. Since 2000, we have operated a cutting-edge environmental art program, the only one of its kind in an American nature center. Founded in 1987, our Wildlife Clinic is one of the few in the region, and the only one in the City of Philadelphia. Our Camp Schuylkill, after-school program, and day-off camps provide thousands of kids with immersive experiences in nature, which mounting evidence shows benefits children, and people, in innumerable ways.

We are a leader in land restoration and stewardship practices as well, using our 365 acres of open space, the largest privately protected open space in Philadelphia, as a living laboratory for balancing stewardship with active use.

Part Time Temporary Receptionist

The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, a leading environmental
education provider for the Philadelphia region, seeks a part-time temporary
receptionist to staff the front desk. Founded in 1965, the Schuylkill
Center is one of the first urban environmental education centers in the
country, with 365 acres of fields, forests, ponds, and streams in northwest
Philadelphia.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Staff the Center’s front desk, serving as primary receptionist.
Greets and receives visitors in a welcoming manner.
Answers telephone and directs callers as needed.
Ensures that the front desk is adequately staffed at all times the building is open.
Process register sales and open and close system as directed.
Supervise front desk volunteers.
Serve a crucial role in the Center’s emergency procedures.
Ensure that the gift shop is appropriately stocked with merchandise and attractively displayed.
Assist customers with bags of birdseed and all other purchases.
Under supervision of the Office Manager, research potential new vendors/products for mission-appropriate items.
Help keep first floor areas (front lobby, Discovery Center, gift shop) clean and tidy.
Manage incoming and outgoing mail deliveries for the Center.
Monitor use and ordering of office and janitorial supplies.
Maintain stocking of Center materials.
Under supervision of the Office Manager, identify opportunities for efficiencies.
Other duties as assigned by their supervisor.

Qualifications:

Two to five years experience in a similar nonprofit and/or office environment.
Strong computer skills.
At least two years experience working in a retail setting, including familiarity with point-of-sale systems.
Excellent references, a passion about nature and the environment.
Courtesy, trustworthiness, precision, care, and a high standard of excellence.
College degree preferred but not required.
All new hires are required to pass a criminal and child abuse background checks.
Ability to lift up to 25 pounds.

Apply:

Please send a resume and cover letter to Blaine Elliot, Office Manager at blaine@schuylkillcenter.org.

Volunteer and Community Outreach Manager

April, 2024

This is a full-time salaried position with a benefits package that includes
vacation, health, dental, vision and retirement; position reports to the
Director of Communications. The salary range for this role is $37,000 –
$50,000 per year.

This is a hybrid position with a typical schedule of three days in the
office and two days working from home. All employees are welcome to work
from the office five days a week if preferred.

Duties and Responsibilities

Volunteer Management

Develop, implement, and oversee all aspects of the organization’s
volunteer program, including planning, program operations, and volunteer
management.
Develop and administer policies and procedures governing the volunteer
programs and services, aligning them with the organization’s mission and
vision.
Identify ways to improve efficiency and effectiveness with volunteer
management to to improve the volunteer experience, develop welcoming and
inclusive opportunities, and to support Center initiatives.
Work closely with department leaders to assess volunteer needs, identify
new opportunities, and design engaging volunteer roles across various
programs and departments.
Serve as the primary point of contact for corporate and community
volunteer groups, establishing and maintaining partnerships with schools
and organizations.
Communicate clearly and promptly with potential volunteers,
organizations and businesses looking for volunteer opportunities.
Utilize MailChimp to create and distribute e-newsletters and maintain
website content dedicated to volunteer updates and programming.
Manage and mentor high school students involved in service projects,
providing guidance, support, and fostering a positive volunteer experience.
Oversee the Center’s Toad Detour program, including management of
Facebook posts, training sessions, and scheduling of shift managers.
Oversee data management for volunteers, maintaining accurate records of
volunteer profiles, volunteer hours, and ensuring adherence to clearance
requirements. Compile reports on volunteer activities as needed or
requested.
Train volunteers to support the Center’s wide breadth of volunteer
activities including stewardship activities and event support.
Supervise and train Center staff on volunteer management, training, and
relationships.

Community Outreach

Collaborate with staff on special projects and initiatives to enhance
the organization’s overall effectiveness and identify opportunities to
engage with the community.
Contribute to events across the organization and lead volunteers for
event support.
Play a key role in establishing the policies and procedures for the Gear
Borrowing Program, ensuring smooth operation.
Facilitate community meetings related to work at the Center.
Cultivate and create collaborative partnerships with underserved
communities and peer organizations who have a similar mission of
environmental education, stewardship, and connecting people to the wonder
of nature.
Manage and contribute to data collection for grants for community-based
programs and initiatives.
Seek out grants and funding opportunities for community and volunteer
programs.

Expected Competencies:

Experience managing volunteers in similar settings.
Excellent customer service mentality coupled with a strong desire to
work with people.
Strong written and verbal communications skills.
Demonstrated ability in teamwork.
Experience with community outreach preferred.
Public speaking and/or teaching skills.
Experience working with Mailchimp or another similar email program
preferred.
Mastery of the full suite of computer programs, including Word/Docs,
Excel/Sheets, etc.

Physical Demands/Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described are
representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully
perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may
be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential
functions.

While the Volunteer Manager spends most of their time indoors, the employee
must be able to:

Spend multiple hours outdoors in all weather (heat, cold, rain, snow).
Hike 2-5 miles on rough terrain, keeping pace with both adults and
children.
Engage in sustained physical activity throughout the day.
Lift up to 25 pounds.

Education, Experience, and Qualifications:

The successful candidate will have at least two years’ experience in a
comparable position in a similar institution. A strong grounding in natural
sciences, and environmental education, with some combination of relevant
education and experience, is welcome but not required.

To Apply

Send your cover letter and resume to Mae Axelrod, Director of
Communications, at mae@schuylkillcenter.org.

The Schuylkill Center is an equal opportunity employer and does not
discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender
identity, sexual orientation, disability, or age. Women and minorities are
encouraged to apply.

Manager of School Programs

The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, a leading environmental education provider
for the Philadelphia region, seeks a passionate and energetic naturalist/educator to guide the
growth and development of the full range of the Center’s school programs. This is a full-time salaried position with a full range of benefits, including vacation, health, dental, and retirement; position reports to the Director of Education.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Guide the growth and development of the full range of the Center’s school
programs, including guided group, outreach, and after-school programs, while participating as a teacher of these programs.
Oversee the network of full- and part-time educators who teach these programs, including hiring, training, scheduling, and evaluating.
Evaluate the Center’s school programs, designing and developing new ones as needed.
Manage and schedule staffing of Wild Wanderers after school program. Communicate
regularly via email and One Call Now with parents of children in after school program.
Cultivate strategic partnerships with schools.
Assist the Director of Education in creating and managing budgets for these program areas.
Supervise education department interns, including scheduling, training and evaluation.
Maintain the supplies and materials used in education programs, including keeping items organized in the laboratory and ordering new supplies as needed.
Assist in writing and evaluating grants for school programs.
Lead and develop other education programs as requested by the Director of Education.
Lead training sessions for environmental educators as needed.

Expected Competencies:

Experience in providing diverse educational programming with a wide range of audiences from pre-K-12 through college, as well as training educators.
Desire and ability to engage youth in learning experiences using developmentally appropriate educational and group management techniques.
An understanding of childhood development, including stages of growth, and how social, emotional, physical, and cognitive needs intersect with learning.
Experience and interest in environmental science, ecology, and natural resources.
Experience in program design and evaluation.
Demonstrated ability in leading a staff, including hiring, development, and evaluation.
Demonstrated ability in teamwork.
Excellent writing skills.
Experience in successfully creating, managing, and meeting budgets.
Mastery of the full suite of programs, including Word/Docs, Excel/Sheets, etc.

Physical Demands/Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described are representative of
those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The Manager of School Programs should expect to spend about half of their time on planning and administrative work and the other half of their time teaching outdoors.

They must be able to:

Spend multiple hours outdoors in all weather (heat, cold, rain, snow).
Hike 2-5 miles on rough terrain, keeping pace with children and teachers being observed and evaluated.
Engage in sustained physical activity throughout the day.
Lift up to 50 pounds (size of a small child).
Hear children that might be out of direct sight-linesightline.

Education, Experience, and Qualifications

The successful candidate will have a strong grounding in natural sciences and environmental
education, with at least two years’ experience in leading comparable programming for a
comparable education institution, or some combination of relevant education and experience.
A Bachelor’s degree in biology, natural resources, education, environmental/science education, outdoor education or related fields is required.

Background Clearances: If hired, employees are responsible for providing a
valid Pennsylvania child abuse clearance, state criminal background check, FBI criminal
background check, Mandated Reporter training, and other background checks that the Schuylkill Center requires based on the applicant’s state residency. First Aid/CPR training will be provided to applicants
who don’t currently have it. Additionally, as of September 2021, all hires are required to provide proof of vaccination.

Compensation: $40,000/year

To Apply: Please send a resume and letter of interest to Aaliyah Ross,
Director of Education, at aaliyah@schuylkillcenter.org or Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, 8480 Hagy’s Mill Road, Philadelphia, PA 19128. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Summer Camp Staff

Camp Schuylkill is an environmentally focused program that strives to give children ages 4-12 the opportunity to explore and learn about their relationship to the natural world. We are seeking highly motivated, energetic and creative team members to help us achieve these goals this summer!

The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education is dedicated to being an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by law and our core values.