05/19/1998 54840

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAM SPECIALIST

DEFINITION: This is professional work within the Bureau of State Parks' Division of Environmental Education and Information in the planning, development, implementation, coordination and evaluation of statewide environmental education and interpretive programs utilized at environmental education centers and state parks.

An employee in this class is responsible for developing and recommending statewide goals, objectives, and priorities for environmental education and interpretive programs, and developing related program policies, procedures, and guidelines. Work involves planning, developing, implementing, evaluating, and coordinating statewide environmental education and interpretive programs, publications, exhibits, web pages, and audiovisual presentations. Work involves planning, developing, and coordinating the implementation of programs to meet statewide program needs, evaluating the effectiveness of the programs, and establishing program performance indicators. Work involves serving as a technical consultant and providing guidance, advice, direction, and assistance to field personnel, Environmental Interpretive Technicians, other Environmental Education Specialists, co-workers, educational officials, Federal and state officials, and others on the development and implementation of environmental education and interpretive programs. Work requires establishing and maintaining close liaison and working relationships with local and state conservation groups, civic organizations, educational groups, and the public concerning environmental education and interpretive programs. Work is assigned in the form of programs and the employee exercises professional judgment in the completion of the assignments. Work is reviewed for completeness, quality, and technical accuracy by an Environmental Education Program Specialist Supervisor.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Plans, develops, implements, coordinates, and evaluates statewide environmental education and interpretive programs.

Plans, develops, and coordinates the implementation of statewide programs, and evaluates the effectiveness of the programs and special events.

Develops and writes environmental education and interpretive guidelines, policies, and procedures to guide program development, exhibits, and publications.

Develops and writes guidelines, policies, and procedures for the care of cultural and natural collections within state parks.

Evaluates the implementation of environmental education and interpretive programs at the state park, regional, and environmental education centers, and prepares reports of findings and recommendations.

Develops statewide interpretive and recreational publications.

Researches, writes, and develops concepts for interpretive waysides and exhibits.

Develops and recommends goals, objectives, priorities, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, standards, and guidelines for the development and management of statewide environmental education and interpretive programs.

Develops multi-media projects and plans, develops, and implements environmental education and information programs for radio and television presentations.

Develops and maintains an environmental education and interpretive materials library.

Serves as a technical consultant and provides guidance, advice, direction, and assistance to field personnel, co-workers, educational officials, and Federal and state officials in the development and implementation of environmental education and interpretive programs.

Establishes and maintains working relationships with local and state conservation groups, civic organizations, educational groups, and the public concerning environmental education and interpretive programs.

Prepares letters, memoranda, correspondence, reports, lesson plans, and other written material as required.

Travels to various work sites throughout the Commonwealth.

Employees in this class may participate in the performance of their subordinates' work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the principles and practices of natural resources conservation.

Knowledge of the biological, physical, and natural sciences.

Knowledge of the social/cultural sciences.

Knowledge of educational principles, practices, methods, and techniques as applied to environmental education and interpretive activities.

Knowledge of environmental problems, issues, and solutions.

Ability to read, interpret, and apply the Commonwealth's and/or agency's relevant rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Ability to develop and effectively deliver presentations to a variety of audiences.

Ability to read, write, understand and interpret technical environmental education and interpretive material.

Ability to conduct technical environmental education and interpretive research and present findings and recommendations.

Ability to develop environmental education and interpretive programs, publications, exhibits, and audio visual 6presentations.

Ability to develop, recommend, implement, coordinate, and evaluate environmental education policies, procedures, and standards.

Ability to evaluate the effectiveness of statewide and regional environmental education and interpretive programs and activities and to prepare reports of findings and recommendations.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers; field personnel; local, state, and Federal conservation officials; educational personnel; environmental organizations; civic organizations; educational groups; and the public.

Ability to prepare letters, reports, memoranda, lesson plans, and other written material.

Ability to operate a motor vehicle to travel to various work sites.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: A bachelor's degree in environmental education, education, the natural sciences, social sciences, or parks and recreation; and two years of professional experience in the field of environmental education and interpretation;

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An equivalent combination of experience and training.