05/19/1998 54810

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION REGIONAL PROGRAM COORDINATOR

DEFINITION: This is professional work in the coordination, development, implementation, and evaluation of environmental education and interpretive programs and activities with responsibility for one of the four Park Regions within the Bureau of State Parks, or similar professional work in the Department of Environmental Protection.

An employee in this class coordinates, through Environmental Interpretive Technicians and Environmental Education Specialists located at state parks, the development, implementation, and delivery of environmental education and interpretive programs and activities for the entire Region. Work includes providing assistance to Park Managers in the selection, training, and evaluation of the Environmental Interpretive Technicians and Environmental Education Specialists, and providing guidance, advice, direction, and assistance to the Environmental Interpretive Technicians and Environmental Education Specialists assigned to the parks. In the Department of Environmental Protection, work may involve designing, developing, and evaluating agency environmental education initiatives, programs, and products to inform and educate teachers, students, and the general public on a wide range of environmental issues affecting the Commonwealth. Work requires establishing and maintaining working relationships with local and state conservation groups, civic organizations, colleges, schools, and the public concerning environmental education and interpretive programs. Work is assigned in the form of programs and activities and the employee exercises professional judgment in the completion of the assignments. Work is reviewed upon completion for completeness, quality, and technical accuracy by the Regional Manager in a Park Region, or by an administrative supervisor.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Coordinates, through Environmental Interpretive Technicians and Environmental Education Specialists, the development and implementation of environmental education and interpretive programs and activities for a Park Region.

Coordinates the development, planning, and scheduling of program presentations; the development of lesson plans; the development and presentation of programs and activities; and the evaluation of the effectiveness of the programs and activities.

Coordinates the facilitation of environmental education and interpretive activities through the presentation of discovery learning activities, audiovisual presentations, and other environmental learning programs. Coordinates the provision of assistance, guidance, and advice to schools, colleges, civic groups, and public organizations in developing and implementing environmental education programs and activities, teacher in-service workshops, and curriculum development.

Provides guidance, advice, direction, training, and assistance to the Environmental Interpretive Technicians and Environmental Education Specialists in the region.

Coordinates the operation and maintenance of visitor centers and resource libraries; the maintenance of natural, historical, cultural, and archeological collections; the research and development of educational publications and exhibits; and the use, repair, and maintenance of environmental education and interpretive equipment.

Coordinates the development and implementation of special environmental and interpretive programs and activities for use by the parks in the region focusing on localized natural history, historic and cultural events, and environmental management issues for a variety of audiences.

Participates in the selection of Environmental Interpretive Technicians and Environmental Education Specialists to be assigned to the parks and recommends selection.

Conducts needs assessments and gap analyses in educational tools applicable to Pennsylvania environmental issues, and designs and develops new program initiatives and educational products to address identified gaps.

Conducts presentations; develops brochures, fact sheets, and web sites; and utilizes other techniques to deliver environmental information to the public.

Assists in the administration of the environmental education grants program and in the operation of the Environmental Education and Information Center for educators and environmental education professionals in state agencies.

Establishes and maintains working relationships with local and state conservation groups, civic organizations, intermediate units, schools, 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 locations.

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 read 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.

Ability to schedule, coordinate, and implement environmental education and interpretive programs and activities.

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

Ability to plan, organize, and assign work to regional Environmental Education Specialists and Environmental Interpretive Technicians.

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:

One year of experience as an Environmental Education Specialist;

                                                                                                                                                                 or

A bachelor's degree in environmental education, education, the natural sciences, social sciences, or parks and recreation; and one year of professional experience in the field of environmental education and interpretation;

                                                                                                                                                                 or

An equivalent combination of experience and training.