Smokies School Coordinator

PURPOSE OF POSITION This position seeks to engage local underserved audiences in park programming.
The Smokies School Coordinator will establish and maintain strong relationships with gateway schools and school districts in east Tennessee, primarily in Knoxville and surrounding communities.
They act as a conduit between schools, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the partners.
They will also work to coordinate education planning between partners to provide more meaningful experiences for students and teachers.
They will promote the park to public schools as a place for students and teachers to learn, heal, and grow into thoughtful, healthy citizens and stewards.
The partners include: -Great Smoky Mountains National Park Resource Education (NPS) -Discover Life in America (DLIA) -Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont (GSMIT) -Friends of the Smokies (FOTS) Tremont Values and Culture We create experiential education programs focused on the natural world, knowing such learning and research opportunities are uniquely suited to bring about life-changing outcomes in individual passion for learning, sense of worth, and behavior.
We believe a lost connection with the natural world can be repaired, beginning with experiences that take place in the original classroom—the outdoors.
We believe such experiences produce cascading results that enrich individual lives, strengthen communities, and empower community members.
We celebrate the distinctive setting the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) provides as a living laboratory to explore the biodiversity that forms the building blocks of healthy ecosystems, examine past and present human impacts on the land, and navigate questions about how to best support the land that supports us.
We carry out our mission with both urgency and joy, recognizing that the work of connecting people and nature could not be timelier.
KEY AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY The following duties are normal for this position and are noted in priority order.
The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this position.
Other duties may be required and assigned by supervisor.
Recruit new schools to park programs.
Make the case for school-sponsored engagement with the national park, identifying barriers and coordinating with partners to overcome challenges.
Manage relationships with national park gateway school districts, primarily Knox County Schools.
Promote NPS/GSMIT/DLIA programs Attend meetings, e.
g.
School Board, etc.
Solicit feedback from gateway communities on needs that could be fulfilled by the partners Support for schools in coordinating Park and partner interactions Coordinating with teachers, answering questions, especially for schools new to park programs.
Raise awareness of Park opportunities; presenting at Parent/PTO meetings, etc.
Communicate with partners.
Work closely with Tremont’s Manager of Teacher Network, NPS Resource Education rangers, and the Educator at Discover Life in America.
Report on a periodic schedule to park partners and join Tremont program leader meetings.
Ensure that NPS and partner organizations are working in ways to complement each other’s work best, reduce redundancies, and promote multiple student experiences across partner programming.
Teaching - approximately 10% time - teach programs at each partner organization including teacher workshops.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Bachelor's degree or equivalent (2 years) experience working with the formal education system in some capacity.
Have access to reliable transportation.
Basic office and visual communication skills.
SALARY & BENEFITS: $45K starting annual salary Medical and dental insurance 6% 401K retirement match Paid professional development, including discounted Tremont programs Generous paid time off (Annual Leave, Sick Leave, and holidays).
Housing is not provided.
Deadline: Position begins late spring 2024.
Applications accepted until position is filled.
To Apply: Submit a completed application form, resume, and thoughtful cover letter.
Performance Aptitudes: COMMUNICATION SKILLS: Requires the ability to listen well, speak clearly, and express thoughts effectively.
This position requires a master communicator as they relate with large groups, small groups, and individuals.
DEVELOPMENTAL SKILLS: Requires the ability to select and mentor staff to support their growth appropriately.
INITIATIVE: Requires the ability to influence events rather than just accept them.
LEADERSHIP SKILLS: Requires the ability to effectively create conditions that will motivate and guide individuals towards task accomplishments and a productive work environment.
PLANNING, ORGANIZATION, AND PROBLEM-SOLVING: Requires the ability to establish and translate plans for the department that are consistent with goals and priorities.
Must have the ability to organize effectively and systematically.
SAFETY: Requires the ability to monitor and model safe work habits.
TECHNICAL EXPERTISE: Ability to use or willingness to learn common tools for data analysis, such as Excel or Google Sheets.
VEHICLE UTILIZATION: Requires travel, whereby possession and maintenance of a valid Tennessee driver’s license is necessary.
The Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, GSMIT will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.