Environmental Educator

Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES), a nationally recognized leader in environmental education for people of all ages, seeks environmental educators to teach at our partner schools and at field sites in and around the Roaring Fork Valley. 

ACES is a nonprofit environmental science education organization. Since 1968, ACES has inspired a lifelong commitment to the Earth by providing innovative and immersive programming for all ages. We have three locations in the Roaring Fork Valley: Hallam Lake, Rock Bottom Ranch and Catto Center at Toklat. Our programs reach more than 140,000 individuals every year, and focus on ecological literacy, regenerative agriculture, forest and ecosystem health, land restoration and environmental leadership. ACES works diligently to directly affect environmental and climate change education, awareness and action. We also engage our community by hosting public lectures and events. ACES collaborates with land trusts, public agencies and other nonprofits to achieve our mission.

ACES has full-time environmental education classrooms at four elementary schools: Aspen Elementary School, Basalt Elementary School, Crystal River Elementary School, and Kathryn Senor Elementary School. Educators teach K-5 students in our partner schools, lead field programs for school groups at sites from Aspen to Rifle, and facilitate winter, spring, and summer camps. 

Please visit the ACES website for more information on our education programs.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Teach in the ACES classroom at one of our partner schools. (50%)

• Teach ACES' K-4 environmental education classes. ACES is a "specials" class in our partner schools, like art, library, PE, and music. ACES Educators teach by themselves and with a co-teacher in our full-time classrooms.
• Manage students in a classroom environment.
• Develop and revise units and lesson plans for grades K-5 that are aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards and 2020 Colorado Academic Science Standards.
• Create, prepare and obtain classroom materials and resources.
• Coordinate and communicate with other classroom teachers, school principals and administrative staff.
• Participate in school faculty meetings, professional development, and parent/teacher conferences.
• Assess and track students' progress; submit grades for students. 
• Plan, coordinate and teach occasional evening programs for school families.
• Maintain an understanding of best practices in education and classroom management.

Teach ACES field science programs. (30%)

• Teach non-residential environmental science field programs at various sites throughout the Roaring Fork Valley and beyond. 
• Lead and safely manage students (K-12) in a wide range of environments and seasons (e.g. programs at 11,200 feet in elevation in winter conditions).
• Maintain an understanding of best practices in environmental and outdoor education, and knowledge of local ecology.
• Lead other ACES programs as needed, including some overnight, evening and weekend programs, as well as pre-K, adult and family programs.

Teach ACES community programs. (20%)

• Teach children’s day and weeklong camps during summer, winter and spring breaks. Weeklong summer camps are based at Hallam Lake and Rock Bottom Ranch, and may include hikes off site and overnight camping.
• Develop, revise and document curriculum for associated programs.
• Organize, create and prepare educational resources and materials for ACES youth programs.
• Lead and support other community programs as needed, including adult and family programs and events.

Secondary Responsibilities

• Assist and become involved with visitor center maintenance including resident animal management, ranch animal husbandry, interpretive exhibits and other ACES projects.
• Perform on-site visitor center hosting responsibilities. This includes greeting and engaging guests, answering telephone calls, informal visitor education, selling merchandise and fielding questions.
• Maintain site organization and cleanliness. 
• Other duties as assigned to further the mission of ACES. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree or equivalent experience in natural sciences, environmental education, agriculture education or related field
• Minimum of two years’ teaching experience in a classroom or outdoor setting, elementary grade level preferred
• Experience with curriculum writing and development of educational teaching materials 
• Knowledge of, and familiarity with, the Next Generation Science Standards
• Ability to work independently as well as within a team-oriented environment
• Strong organizational skills
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
• Current CPR and First Aid certifications, WFR or WFA preferred
• Fluency in Spanish is desired, but not required

Employment Dates

Summer start positions begin on June 5, 2023. Fall start positions begin on August 7, 2023.

Reporting Relationships

This position reports to the ACES School Programs Manager. The ACES Education Director and ACES Community Programs Senior Manager also provide management and support.

Location

Rock Bottom Ranch (RBR) educators are based at ACES’ 113-acre ranch located in Basalt, Colorado. RBR educators teach at Basalt Elementary School, Crystal River Elementary School or Kathryn Senor Elementary School, and may assist at other school sites in the Aspen, Roaring Fork and Garfield Re-2 School Districts.

Hallam Lake educators are based at ACES’ 25-acre nature preserve located in Aspen, Colorado. Hallam Lake Educators teach at Aspen Elementary School or Basalt Elementary School and may assist at other school sites in the Roaring Fork and Garfield Re-2 School Districts.

Educator positions may be housed at either the Hallam Lake preserve in Aspen, Rock Bottom Ranch in Basalt or the ACES Farmhouse in Carbondale. Travel throughout the Roaring Fork Valley is required.

Benefits and Compensation

Salaries begin at $25,000 with housing and utilities provided. If ACES housing is not needed, additional compensation will be offered. ACES’ benefit package includes include a medical insurance plan, dental insurance plan, matching retirement savings plan, health reimbursement account, flexible spending account, paid time off, a recreation benefit, and a discount on items in the ACES gift shops and on ACES classes.

Application Process

Hiring will occur on a rolling basis. Applications accepted until positions are filled. Please apply at https://aspennature.bamboohr.com/careers/32

ACES employees work with school children, therefore ACES conducts background checks for criminal history and motor vehicle records.

Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ACES does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, genetic information, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and organizational need.