Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Seeks Environmental Educator

KAEE is seeking an enthusiastic individual with a passion for our mission to work with the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (LFUCG) Department of Environmental Quality and Public Works (EQPW) on their K-12 environmental education program.

 

The Environmental Educator will work closely with the Environmental Education Coordinator to develop and implement a robust, engaging K-12 outreach program in Lexington-Fayette County. Waste management, water quality (stormwater and sanitary sewers), sustainability and transportation are the focal topics for the program. The educator will be involved in direct outreach to students, primarily elementary school students, and will be the lead facilitator for many program-related field trips. The selected applicant will have professional development opportunities, along with the ability to network with professionals throughout the service area and state of Kentucky.

 

The position will be based in the EQPW office in Lexington, KY. If you would like to have a significant impact and work with an amazing team, we encourage you to apply! Learn more about the work we do at LexingtonKy.gov/EE

 

 

 

 

Summary of Essential Job Functions:

• School-based Environmental Education: assist in developing educational units for classroom use; lead lessons as a part of the units of study in classroom setting, with a focus on elementary school education.
• Field Trips: assist in facilitating field trips to sites such as the Recycle Center, Haley Pike Waste Management Facility (capped landfill and compost pad), Town Branch Wastewater Treatment Plant, West Hickman Wastewater Treatment Plant, watershed sampling sites and other appropriate sites as they are identified; manage field trip schedule–classes and guides.
• OST: assist with the development of the Out of School Time curriculum; (co-)lead OST programs, with emphasis on existing afterschool programs.
• Workforce Development: connect K-5 units to careers, especially careers related to city jobs; work with Workforce Development Specialist on career days and similar opportunities.
• Teacher Training: assist Environmental Education Coordinator to facilitate the Teachers’ Environmental Academy, a week-long program aimed to equip classroom teachers with the knowledge and materials to teach about EQPW-related topics in their classrooms; recruit new TEA participants; conduct other PD for teachers based on program priorities.
• Outreach Trailer: assist the Environmental Education Team, Event Coordinator and Community Outreach Coordinator to facilitate learning experiences using the Outreach Trailer
• Some evening and weekend work is required.

 

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree OR 5 years of environmental education experience OR 3 years of environmental education experience and an environmental education certification

• Minimum 1 year of formal or non-formal teaching experience
• Self-directed team player who gets things done
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects concurrently
• Ability to work and effectively communicate with a wide range of people including staff (administrative and operational), teachers, community partners, students, volunteers and elected officials
• Dedication to equity in education
• Knowledge of culturally relevant teaching strategies
• Ability to work outdoors and complete physically demanding tasks
• Comfortable with standard software and programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook as well as Google Drive, Dropbox
• Ability to work some evenings, weekends and holidays to meet work objectives
• Willingness to undergo a background check
• A valid driver’s license and reliable access to a vehicle (educators are responsible for getting to/from school and OST programs; mileage is reimbursed according to the KY state mileage rate)

 

 

 

 

 

Desired Qualifications

• Demonstrated understanding of stormwater, waste management and/or transportation issues
• Experience teaching K- 5^th grades in a formal setting
• Teaching credentials, either formal or non-formal (e.g., certified Environmental Educator)
• Experience with culturally responsive pedagogy and trauma-informed teaching
• Demonstrated commitment to cultivating diversity and equity in environmental education and to enacting best practices in youth education and development
• High level of comfort riding a bicycle within an urban setting
• Bilingual

Pay: $42,000, non-negotiable;

• 5% will be added for candidates who can demonstrate bilingualism in one of the top five most spoken languages in Lexington according to Global Lex.
• 5% will be added for candidates with more than 10 years of full- time, relevant experience.
• Maximum potential starting pay is $46,305 if both the above criteria are met, non-negotiable.

 

Compensation and Benefits:

Fulltime, exempt position working 40 hours per week. We believe in work-life balance and a flexible, family-friendly schedule and therefore offer compensatory time up to 120 hours for additional hours worked, 10 days of vacation time, 12 days of sick leave, and 6 paid regular holidays and 3 paid floating holidays per year. KAEE observes a paid office shut down between December 24^th through January 1^st. Additional benefits include healthcare and a SIMPLE IRA retirement plan with a 3% match. This position will be based at the Environmental Quality and Public Works office in Lexington. Reimbursement will be given for costs incurred during work-related travel. Benefits will immediately begin accruing, but this position is subject to a 90-day probationary period.

 

To Apply: 

Please send a cover letter explaining your interest and understanding of the position and resume with related experience to Danny Woolums, dwoolums@lexingtonky.gov. The position will close 12:00pm EDT, June 5, 2023.