Milton Hershey School is seeking a full-time, year-round Environmental and Natural Resources Instructional Advisor within our Agricultural and Environmental Education department.
This person will collaborate across all grade levels and departments as an expert in content related to environmental science, natural resources, ecology, and ecological restoration efforts, as well as monitoring and research. This position facilitates the creation and implementation of hands-on, experiential, project-based learning within this context, both in class and in the extra-curricular realms. This position must reflect intentional, sequential, cohesive, and mission-appropriate development opportunities that leverage up-to-date agricultural and natural resource technologies to support college and career readiness initiatives, as well as the use of best instructional practices.
Milton Hershey’s Agricultural and Environmental Education program provides rigorous, experiential education opportunities to over 2,000 lower-income students utilizing an array of resources on over 1,200 acres, including a Horticultural Center and production greenhouse with modern hydroponics systems; an Animal Center that includes equestrian, livestock, and small animal facilities; actively farmed croplands and orchards; and an Environmental and Natural Resources Center focused on sustainability and research, and which includes a Maker Space, maple syrup production, trout pens, management of natural areas on campus, and a live animal menagerie used for educational purposes.
The scope of the role includes:
- Academic Integration
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- Collaborating across departments to create, implement, and integrate experiential education opportunities that support Common Core Standards and Next Generation Science Standards.
- Responsible for facilitating use of the standards through the Career and Technical Education Program and academic STEAM integrations.
- Growth-minded and willing to persistently implement and pursue best instructional practices
- Management of Resources
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- Management of resources including riparian buffer zones, implementing tree plantings with students, invasive plant control, native warm season grass meadows, educational animal menagerie, trout nursery, maple sugaring facility, and Environmental Center facility and budget.
- Management of Students
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- Management of paid student internship program including afterschool and summer sessions focused on natural resources management, field research, and environmental education.
- Lead other after-school programming during school year relevant to resources and expertise
- Content Expert and Community Liaison
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- High level of ambition and interest to fill role as local expert on campus regarding habitat and wildlife components while helping the community connect with and respect our surroundings.
- Strong content expert in the realm of environmental and natural resources.
- Catalyst for increasing sustainability efforts with students and staff across campus.
· Bachelor’s degree in biology, environmental science, education, or a related field.
- Three or more years of experience in science and/or environmental instruction.
- Ability to run equipment utilized in ecological restoration and management of natural areas including truck, gator, tractor with brush mower, chainsaw, weed eater, etc. (or willingness and ability to learn and operate such equipment)
- Proficient in utilization of Microsoft applications (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel) and Apple products (iPads). Experience with Google suite of applications is a plus.
- Exceptional communication skills including verbal, written and platform.
- Exceptional interpersonal skills, particularly the ability to effectively collaborate and influence others.
- Demonstrated skills in multi-tasking competing projects and priorities in a dynamic environment.
- Must be able to travel periodically for conferences and professional development.
- Willing and able to work after school programming and occasional weekend responsibilities.
- Experience working with lower-income students and/or diverse populations a plus.
- Must be willing to actively engage with students beyond the classroom.
- Candidates must demonstrate a high degree of integrity as all MHS staff are role models and mentors for students.
- Clear driving record and valid driver’s license.