CONSERVATION EDUCATOR 69140

(Competitive)

 

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

 

The work involves responsibility for developing, implementing and evaluating conservation education programs. An employee in this class is responsible to review and identify conservation education opportunities; set goals and objectives for the program; develop potential educational activities to meet the goals and objectives; prioritize alternatives; implement specific programs and evaluate when completed. General supervision is received from an administrative superior who allows the incumbent independent latitude in developing conservation education programs. An employee in this class oversees the work of volunteer personnel involved in further extending the conservation education program to the public. Does related work as required.

 

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES

 

Develops and presents educational and promotional programming to youth groups, civic organizations and units of government about natural resources or other specific topics.

Implements specific educational programs in conjunction with volunteer personnel.

Works with local educators, youth groups, civic organizations, public organizations and local governments to exchange information, maintain or improve working relationships and develop educational programs.

Assists with the development and execution of special conservation projects or programs.

Provides news articles, photographs and layout assistance for newsletters, annual reports, web site and other publications.

Analyzes and summarizes the results of surveys to identify specific educational opportunities.

Establishes broad based goals for the program based on available resources.

Establishes specific objectives that when combined produce a road map on how to reach the program's goals.

Develops a listing of broad based and comprehensive conservation educational activities in support of established goals and objectives.

Assists in setting priorities and standards regarding education and awareness and develops new methods for identifying new conservation education opportunities.

Develops a prioritization mechanism to be used with the ad hoc advisory committee to help select specific annual activities that will be conducted.

Develops conservation education displays, exhibits and publications.

Writes and submits media releases for local newspapers, television and radio stations and newsletters informing residents about conservation education programs.

Writes applications or proposals requesting grant funds for programs or initiatives.

Develops a cadre of volunteers who will help extend the outreach of this position.

Develops evaluation tools for evaluating each program upon completion.

Administers the evaluation tools and summarizes the results for identifying further educational opportunities.

Conducts conservation education programs with audiences ranging from one on one to group meetings to the mass media.

May attend official meetings and conferences.

 

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

 

Good knowledge of the principles and practices of natural resource conservation.

Good knowledge of the educational process and how to apply it to natural resource conservation practices.

Good knowledge of the district’s overall programs, goals, policies and procedures.

Good knowledge of the principles and practices of public relations.

Ability to develop and present appropriate soil and water conservation educational programs for all age groups.

Ability to plan, organize and oversee the work of a group of volunteers.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with conservation groups and an advisory committee.

Ability to work in a team environment.

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Ability to interpret maps.

Ability to relate programming results to funding sources.

Ability to relate well to the media.

Ability to speak to various groups about conservation education programs.

Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

 

 

-2- 69140

 

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

 

A) Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees with a baccalaureate degree and two (2) years of professional level work experience, or its part-time equivalent, in developing or implementing conservation education programs.

 

B) Six (6) years of paraprofessional or professional level work experience, or its part-time equivalent, two (2) years of which must have been professional level work experience in developing or implementing conservation education programs.

 

C) An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the limits of (A) and (B).

 

NOTE: Successful completion of graduate semester hours in Natural Resource Conservation, Natural or Physical Sciences, Environmental Studies or a closely related field, may be substituted for work experience as follows: Thirty (30) graduate semester hours is equivalent to one (1) year of work experience; sixty (60) graduate semester hours is equivalent to two (2) years of work experience.

 

 

5/06 Revised