Natural Resources Specialist

Responsibilities:

Leadership:            

·         Responsible for implementing and updating the Natural Resources Management Plan for the Nature Center's 20 acre property, including mapping of identified habitats and addressing management issues.

·         Provides training and supervision for volunteers in the field and coordinates stewardship volunteer activities.

·         Oversees biological research and surveys conducted on Nature Center property.

·         Acts as resource for plant and animal identification, habitat protection, wildlife management and rehabilitation, native plant information, and sustainable land management practices.

·         Participates in collaborative land stewardship efforts with local universities and institutions. 

·         Represents the Nature Center at regional environmental forums and meetings.

·         Serves as staff liaison to the Natural Resource Management Committee.

·         Acts as Nature Center representative for the Shaker Parklands Management Committee.

·         Acts as liaison to the Nature Photography Club.

Natural Resource Projects:

• Lead role in prioritizing restoration and invasive plant control needs and implementing control measures. Establishes protocol for herbicide application to control invasive plant species, determining appropriate product, usage, method of application, licensing, etc. in accord with Nature Center Pesticide Use Plan.
• Responsible for all ecological restoration project development and implementation. Acts as resource for planning, field techniques, and monitoring of resource management projects.
• Works with stewardship volunteers, Scout groups, organizational groups, and other volunteers to conduct various natural resource management projects.
• Oversees implementation of Tribute Tree Planting Project. 
• Provides consultation for Plant Sale inventory and serves on Plant Sale Committee.
• Assists with maintenance of Stewardship Center and surrounding areas. Designs and maintains on-site sustainability demonstration areas including: rain garden, compost bins, butterfly garden, and deer exclosure. 

Educational Resource Development:         

      ·         Works with staff naturalists to coordinate field projects and datawith educational curriculum as well as contributing to 

                 permanent and temporary exhibits in the Visitor Center.

·         Assists with organizing and leading adult programming including hikes and relevant Environmental Town Hall presentations. May assist with rain barrel and composting workshops as needed.

·         May assist with teaching children's classes or camps as needed.

·         Participates in continuing education and professional development opportunities.

Facilities:

• Assists with Nature Center facilities related projects on an as-needed basis.
• Serves as back-up for the Facilities Director.

General:                 

• Attends and participates in regular staff meetings and staff-building exercises.
• Assists with preparing grant proposals to public and private funding sources to support natural resource management priorities.
• May at times work in variable weather conditions, on difficult and potentially hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
• All staff members are available for all activities and events as necessary, as determined by the Executive Director or staff supervisor.
• May be required to work some evenings or weekends.
• Permanent, full-time position.

Job Qualifications:

·         BA/BS degree in natural resource management or related area.

·         Three to five years experience in conservation biology, systems ecology, environmental education, or related fields or completion of master's degree in one of the above areas. 

·         Must have an Ohio Pesticide Applicator license or the ability to obtain license.

·         Knowledge of current trends in conservation practices, sustainability, environmental education and the flora and fauna of Northeast Ohio.

·         Ability to interpret scientific information into practical policy and strong communication and presentation skills to communicate complex concepts to lay stakeholders.

·         Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with volunteers.

·         Demonstrated experience in MS Office, Word, and Excel.  Experience in graphic design programs a plus.  

·         Motivated, outgoing, detail-oriented, and a strong desire to learn and teach.

·         This position occasionally demands rigorous physical labor.  Must be able to lift 50 pounds.

Compensation:  Commensurate with experience; eligible for Nature Center benefits.

Application:  Please submit cover letter, resume and three references to:  .

Deadline for application:  March 30, 2010, or until filled.

Graphic Design Internship Description

Title:               Graphic Design Intern

Department:   Marketing and Development

Reports to:     Marketing Manager

Overall Responsibilities:

• Assist with graphic design of Nature Center marketing materials.

Specific Duties:

• Design promotional flyers as well as handle other Nature Center graphic design needs such as individual program brochures.
• Make revisions to existing documents.
• Work directly with print shops to troubleshoot any design issues.

Qualifications: Ideal candidate will have:

• A thorough understanding of MAC Pages, Adobe InDesign and Photoshop, and Microsoft Publisher.
• Examples of creative application of design talents.
• Basic understanding of marketing principles, logo usage guidelines, and branding concepts.
• Ability to collaborate and work well with others when both in and out of the office under tight deadlines.
• Ability to handle revisions to original work. The Marketing Manager reserves the right to make any necessary changes.
• A keen interest in nature and environmental causes.
• A professional demeanor and positive attitude.
• This position is an unpaid internship for 3 months at approximately 8-10 hours per week. Some work may be completed at home.  All completed designs are property of the Nature Center at Shaker Lakes.  Please email or send cover letter, resume, and up to three examples of graphic design work to:

Christy Rodriguez, Marketing Manager

Nature Center at Shaker Lakes

2600 South Park Blvd.

Cleveland, OH 44120

 
General Description
The Nature Center at Shaker Lakes, a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 1966 and located in the historic Shaker Parklands of Cleveland's eastern inner-ring suburbs, seeks a creative and committed Seasonal Naturalist to work with the Education Director and staff to carry out its educational program goals. Information about the Nature Center's mission, vision, strategic plan, programs, staff, board, and history can be found at  HYPERLINK "http://www.ShakerLakes.org." www.ShakerLakes.org. The successful candidate will work with fellow staff naturalists presenting NCSL designed curricula and outdoor experiences to area school children attending field trips, outdoor adventure camps and classes for children, nature-themed programs including nature walks and informal lectures for families and adults and other community programming as needed and scheduled. This is an ideal opportunity for a starting naturalist seeking to develop their skills in a dynamic environment. The position is 20-40 hours/week (April-November), including some weekend and evening hours.
 
Compensation and Start Date

• $12-14/hour, based on experience and qualifications. Start date as soon possible.

 
Responsibilities:

• Present Nature Center education programs to key audiences, including area schoolchildren, families, adults, preschool children and campers
• Stay current and work collaboratively with all Nature Center staff to ensure excellence and maintain continuous improvement of Nature Center at Shaker Lakes curricula and programs
• Work effectively with teachers and other clients, volunteers and the public in the presentation of Nature Center programs and events
• Maintain good humor and apply professional, common-sense solutions to everyday challenges 
• Attend Board and Staff meetings and "Signature Events" as required
• Other duties as assigned
  

 
Qualifications:]

• Minimum1year teaching experience
• College degree in Environmental Education, Environmental Studies or related science/natural resource field
• Effective public speaker 
• Creative thinker and active outdoors-person 
• Practices environmental stewardship 
• Ability to work effectively with a wide variety of personalities 
• Strong organizational skills, ability to multi-task, adapt to change, to work independently, to prioritize effectively 
• CPR/1st Aid, Wilderness First Responder, Lifeguard Training and/or Leave No Trace Training preferred 
• Ability to hike 3-5 miles with a 10 pound backpack
  

Application Procedure:
 
Email:       Atkinson@ShakerLakes.org
Subject:    Seasonal Naturalist
Include:    cover letter, resume, and three references
Posted 2/19/10
DEADLINE: Open until filled.

rodriguez@shakerlakes.org

 
The Nature Center at Shaker Lakes is looking for qualified instructors for the 2010 Summer Outdoor Adventure Camp program.   Positions begin Monday June 14, and end Friday, August 20, 2010.  Hours vary but may include morning sessions and full-day sessions that run Monday through Friday.  This day camp serves children ages 2 ½ -15. We also offer select overnights and week-long trips.  Please see our website at  HYPERLINK "http://www.ShakerLakes.org" www.ShakerLakes.org to download the full brochure.
 
Qualifications include:

• Bachelor's degree or 3 years of college experience
• Previous work with children
• Ability to manage children in the out-of-doors
• Ability to hike 3-5 miles with a 10 pound backpack
• Knowledge of developmentally appropriate activities
• Love of the out-of-doors and natural history knowledge
• Ability to interact with parents/guardians
• Willingness to work as a team and with other staff and volunteers.
• Great patience and sense of humor are also important!
  

Preferred Applicants will have:

• CPR and First Aid Certification
• Wilderness First Responder or First Aid (working with 10-15 yrs olds)
  

Please send or email cover letter, resume and two references to:
 CONTACT _Con-3D10D4EB21 \c \s \l Phoebe Atkinson, Education Director:
The Nature Center at Shaker Lakes
2600 South Park Blvd
Cleveland, Ohio  44120
216-321-5935 x224(phone)
 HYPERLINK "mailto:atkinson@shakerlakes.org" atkinson@shakerlakes.org

posted February 19, 2010