Environmental Education Coordinator-(Recreation Services Coordinator II)-Robinson Nature Center

Salary : $56,925.00 - $109,768.00 Annually
Location : Robinson Nature Center, 6692 Cedar Lane, Columbia, MD
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 27-00096
Department: Recreation & Parks
Division: R&P REC11F - Gen Fund
Opening Date: 11/13/2026
Closing Date: 11/30/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

POSITION SUMMARY/CLASS DESCRIPTION

POSITION SUMMARY:
This position is responsible for the supervision of education staff and the implementation of educational programs for schools, organizations and the general public. Manages and coordinates all aspects of specialized technology related to exhibits, planetarium and programming. Develops and implements the utilization of new technology for environmental and outdoor education. Facilitates special events, activities and programs that support the mission of the Robinson Nature Center.

STARTING SALARY HIRING RANGE:$27.37 - $29.97/Hourly
$56,925 - $62,327/Annually

*This is the anticipated starting salary range for this position. Please note that the final salary will be determined by the Office of Human Resources, commensurate with experience and aligned to ensure internal equity with similarly situated roles.*
CLASS DESCRIPTION:
Performs professional level recreation services work, which may include supervision, under general supervision from an administrative or technical superior. Work includes overseeing the safe and efficient operation of at school and department recreational facilities, parks and private recreational facilities; or overseeing the operation of programs in specific functional areas under the direction of a recreation supervisor. Assists in analyzing marketing data for program promotion and customer service. Work also includes the supervision of contingent, part-time staff and volunteers; overseeing the approved budget; and preparing information for recreation supervisor for seasonal, and fiscal reports.

*This is a Classified position, meaning that it is a part of the Howard County Classified Service upon completion of a probationary period of at least six (6) months*

*This position has been designated as "essential personnel," meaning an employee is expected to report for regular work shift during inclement weather, emergency situations, County holidays and on an on-call basis.*

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Environmental Education Management:

• Coordinates and directs education staff in the execution of environmentally themed programs for school, camp, public, family, and adult groups
• Responsible for the development, execution, and content of seasonal special events. Develops schedule and assigns staff.
• Establishes program goals and schedules, reviews, evaluates and approves content and presentation of Nature Center programs to ensure programs fit with the mission, effectiveness, and financial sustainability.
• Ensures that programs meet the particular needs and interests of the community served by the Nature Center. This includes partnering with outside resources and organizations.
• Conducts fiscal management including tracking program revenue and expenses.
• Responsible for coordinating sensory-friendly/inclusion-based programming with the Department's therapeutics division. Research, designs, implements and evaluates nature-based programs for individuals with special needs.
  • Provides direct leadership for camps. Attends department-wide camp meetings for supervisors, trains Center staff on policies and producers, updates camp forms, hires and trains seasonal camp counselors, performs camp inspections, writes text for the camp guide, assists in the coordination of day-to-day operations and ensure camps are properly staffed. Carries out camp inspections and completes administrative paperwork.
  • Partners with teachers from the Howard County Public School System to develop field trip opportunities that are aligned with the school curriculum.
  • Conducts program and instructor observations and merges with participant comments for program review.
  • Plans and organizes programming opportunities for scout groups and troops.
• Responsible for ensuring that programs are taught according to the curriculum developed and the mission of the RNC.
• Oversees the program development, implementation, administration, and evaluation for the following types of programs: Field Trips, Boy and Girl Scout, Birthday Party, Therapeutic/Inclusion, and Planetarium.
• Assists in the preparation of instructional materials related to the interpretive activities as needed.

Program Manager of Technology and Media Operations:

• Oversees the operation, maintenance and integration of the Center's digital planetarium, Magic Planet digital projection globe, virtual reality googles, GPS units, 3-D Sand Box, and any additional acquired technology. Develops and implements strategies for the utilization of technology in programming.
• Troubleshoots, maintains, and evaluates technology and media systems.
• Coordinates, oversees, and supervises contractors related to maintenance and repair of technology and media equipment.
• Research new technology to enhance the environmental experience at the Center.
• Trains staff and volunteers on proper use of interpretative technology. Develops policies and procedures and maintains usage logs.
• Works with staff and volunteers on the production of original in-house content.
• Partners with the Howard County Public School System to develop field trip opportunities utilizing technology.
• Participates in professional development opportunities including workshops and regional planetarium conferences.
• Creates custom full-dome astronomy lessons utilizing photo editing and sound mixing software.
• Keeps current with trends in the use of technology and interpretation.

Live Animal Interpretive Displays Manager:

• Directs staff in the care, management, and maintenance of live animal interpretive displays.
• Animal health and welfare.
• Habitat creation and modifications.
• Maintenance of cages and aquariums.
• Animal care supply and materials acquisition.

Public Relations and Administration:

• Answers visitor's questions regarding Nature Center history, plants and animals. Writes articles for Center newsletter and other publications.
• Assists with program marketing, outreach, and communication.
• Writes program descriptions for program guides and field trip brochures.
• Assists in analyzing marketing data for program promotion and customer service.
• Public speaking to include community groups, local and regional committees relating to specialized program area, presentations at workshops and trainings.
• Maintains professional relationships with partner organizations and various state and federal.
  agencies, as well as numerous environmental groups and organizations.
• Responsible for notifying the Center Manager of any safety hazards.
• Public relations; including answering telephones when needed, greeting visitors and answering questions.
• Completes and reviews incident/accident reports.
• Assists in maintaining CAPRA standards.
• Serves on committees as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Directly supervises the education staff (contingent employees). Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems. Is responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of this unit.
• Schedules educators and ensures that there are always enough present on any given day to cover programming needs.
• Trains, schedules and oversees the work of full-time employees that are associated with the delivery of school field trips and public programming.
• Prepares administrative paperwork.
• This position may be deemed essential in an emergency at the discretion of the director.

MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's Degree and one (1) year of experience or an equivalent combination of education and expeience.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATIONS:

• Possession of a valid driver's license. License must remain valid, as long as individual is employed in this class.

PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Bachelor's Degree in natural, life, or physical science or related field with specific coursework in botany, biology, resource management, zoology, wildlife management, forestry, conservation, education or related fields.
• Previous interpretive/naturalist experience (either paid or volunteer) preferred.
• Knowledge of environmental and natural sciences, public interpretation and education, program administration, staff supervision, outdoor and water safety, first aid, and departmental policies and procedures necessary to effectively manage nature-based programs and facilities.
• Good organizational skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Demonstrated experience in teaching children and adults in formal and informal settings, indoors and outdoors.
• Must be available to work flexible hours including occasional evenings and one weekend day per week.
• Computer skills especially in Word, Excel, Access, Publisher and Outlook.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and interpersonal skills.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to touch, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and taste or smell. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; extreme cold; and extreme heat. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS AND REASONING ABILITY:
LANGUAGE SKILLS:
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:
Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

TO APPLY: You must complete an employment application online to be considered for this recruitment. Resumes cannot be substituted for completion of the job application work history. No paper applications will be accepted.

Selected candidates may be subject