Jobs & Internships

GCC Stewardship Educator

The GCC Stewardship Educator will support the Gowanus Canal Conservancy (GCC) School Clean & Green program. Serving as the lead instructor for school groups, the Educator works primarily with the GCC Education Coordinator, Horticultural Manager, and Education Director to carry out the program.

School Clean & Green Program Description
Students visit GCC during the school year to learn about the Gowanus Canal and participate outdoor stewardship activities at the Salt Lot on 2nd Ave, the program site for volunteer stewardship and education programs.

In 90 minute sessions, students in grades K-12 propagate plants in our native plant nursery or care for street trees and rain gardens. These outdoor service-learning sessions introduce students to the Gowanus Canal, its polluted history, and steps to making a healthier ecosystem through stewardship. The stewardship activity is contingent upon seasonal maintenance needs and includes supplemental hands-on lessons and activities focused on seeds, plants, water or soil.

Responsibilities

  • Coordinate with Education Coordinator and Horticulture Manager to plan and deliver stewardship activities and lesson for each school group (20-35 students)
  • Serve as the lead instructor for school groups with instructional support from at least two other staff
  • Lesson planning (using GCC curriculum) and materials prep
  • Lead site prep and clean up
  • Participate in a staff training, orientation and program evaluation meetings

Qualifications

  • Experience in horticulture, and / or experience in a combination of related fields such as tree stewardship and composting
  • Experience teaching students in outdoor field work settings and with a variety of grade levels (K-12)
  • Experience managing staff and volunteers in the field
  • Passion for cultivating environmental stewardship and volunteerism among youth
  • Enjoys working outside and manual labor (can lift up to 40 pounds) and in various weather conditions

Schedule
Seasonal Fall 2018 contract with potential for renewal in April 2019. The program takes place on Wednesdays (maximum two sessions per Wednesday) late September-November (~10-12 total school groups in the Fall).

Compensation
This is a part-time position, $25-$35 an hour, contingent on demonstrated experience. Contractor is compensated per school session at the hourly rate X 5 hours (which includes prep and planning), e.g., 1 school visit X $25 an hour = $125, plus additional paid time for training and evaluation meetings.

To Apply
Send your resume and a cover letter to: education@gowanuscanalconservancy.org. You may include supplemental materials to support your application.  Candidates will be interviewed on a rolling basis starting in August. Early applications are encouraged.

Note: Qualified candidates may also apply for the GCC Citizen Science Educator position. See position description.

Citizen Science Educator

The GCC Citizen Science Educator will support the Gowanus Canal Conservancy (GCC) Citizen Science Water Quality Testing program. Serving as the lead instructor for school groups, the Educator works primarily with the GCC Education Coordinator and Education Director to carry out the program. GCC is participating in this program in partnership with the New York City Department of Education’s (DOE) Office of STEM Curriculum.

Citizen Science Program Description
Students from 5-6 partner schools visit GCC in Fall 2018 at the 2nd Ave Salt Lot to conduct water quality testing on samples from the Gowanus Canal. In 90 minute sessions, each school’s Citizen Science club will visit twice to test water samples with parameters that may include salinity, temperature, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, biological oxygen demand, enterococcus and phosphate. Students learn what each parameter means; how to use test equipment; collect data and read results using the Gowanus Canal as a field site. Students learn about NY Harbor water quality and how Combined Sewage Overflow (CSO) affects water quality. Students also learn how green infrastructure can lessen CSO and the role of citizen scientists in advocating for waterways.

Responsibilities

  • Participate in program training, orientation and end of season evaluation meeting
  • Lead and plan a 1-day professional development session for 10-12 participating middle school teachers on October 16, 2018 focused on water quality testing methods and NY Harbor Water Quality issues.
  • Lead instruction for 90 minute outdoor sessions at the Gowanus Canal (10-12 total visits for 20-30 students each on Tuesdays and Thursdays)
  • Train and manage assistant educators and volunteers on site
  • Plan lessons and materials (curriculum already developed)
  • Participate in additional NYC DOE-led meetings with teachers on October 4 and December 14

Qualifications

  • Experienced educator and scientific practitioner with experience teaching in field work settings
  • Competency with basic water quality testing parameters, methods, data and equipment is essential
  • A background in Marine Ecology or Marine Biology is helpful but not required
  • Ability to teach both students and teachers effectively
  • Passion for cultivating environmental stewardship among youth
  • Ability to train and manage less experienced staff and volunteers in the field

Schedule
Program takes place September-December 2018, with potential for contract renewal in Spring 2019. Program delivery with partner schools takes place on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the school day, October 25-December 6 (some dates may not be scheduled depending on schools). Staff training and program planning takes place in September with a full day teacher training on October 16.

Compensation
This is a part-time, seasonal contract, $25-$35 an hour, contingent on demonstrated experience. Approximately 100 total contract hours (~60 hours program delivery and ~40 hours of planning and admin).

To Apply
Send your resume and a cover letter to: education@gowanuscanalconservancy.org. You may include supplemental materials to support your application. Candidates will be interviewed on a rolling basis starting in August. Early applications are encouraged. Note: Qualified candidates may also apply for the GCC School Clean & Green Educator position. See position description.

Street Tree and Garden Intern (multiple positions available)

We are looking for hard working and independent interns to assist with garden, nursery, and street tree maintenance. They will spend the majority of their time outdoors, performing physical work at the Conservancy’s Native Plant Nursery and green spaces throughout the watershed. Interns will additionally coordinate volunteers through the Volunteer Program, and effectively communicate the GCC Mission & Vision at all public events.

Qualifications
• Experience/interest in horticulture and community stewardship
• Experience/Interest working outdoors in an urban environment – garden and street tree stewardship typically occur in the right-of-way
• Be able to lift at least 40 lbs

Responsibilities
• Garden and Street Tree Stewardship: Perform stewardship activities in gardens and street tree pits surrounding the Gowanus Canal
Water and maintain newly installed plant material
• Nursery Operations: Water, weed, and organize the Conservancy’s Native Plant Nursery
Propagate new plant material
• Volunteer Program: Work with the Volunteer Committee to host Clean & Green volunteer events
• Community Liaison: Communicate GCC Mission & Vision concisely and effectively to community members

Hours
Summer 2018 season: June – August (flexible start and end)
2 days per week, Tuesday-Thursday, 3-4 hours/day, mornings (choose two days)

To Apply
Please send a cover letter and resume to info@gowanuscanalconservancy.org