POSITION SUMMARY:
The Instructional
Specialist - Environmental Literacy, K-12, works under the direction of the Instructional Supervisor of
Environmental Education, in the creation, implementation and monitoring of programs and
initiatives developed to support environmental education and the Environmental
Literacy Standards. The Instructional Specialist
will provide educational leadership to the staff, schools and community
partners. The Instructional Specialist - Environmental Literacy will assist the Instructional Supervisor in
executing administrative responsibilities as required, developing aligned
curriculum documents, providing professional development for staff, and
developing a budget based on analysis of needs.
DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
Assisting the Instructional Supervisor in leading and
implementing a cohesive environmental education program;
Developing and
coordinating with staff current and new
program initiatives (Examples: Green Schools, Environmental Studies Academy,
targeted School Outreach, First Grade Outdoor Classroom);
Coordinating
support for schools with their implementation of on-site environmental
instructional programs;
Providing
information and coordinating support for schools that apply for Maryland Green
School status;
Coordinating
the process for submission of grant applications by Prince Georges County
Schools that support and enhance
environmental education opportunities for students and staff;
Coordinating
the enhancement of the William S. Schmidt Center web site so as to become a
“one stop center” for students, teachers, administrators and parents on
information that supports environmental education;
Assisting
in the monitoring and maintaining the operation, apparatus and facilities of
the William S. Schmidt Outdoor Education Center;
Working
with partners to develop greater collaboration with PGCPS as it relates to
providing enhanced learning opportunities for students, teachers and
administrators in the area of environmental education;
Assisting
with data collection and reporting for MSDE Environmental Literacy
requirements;
Coordinating and assisting with special projects and
activities associated with Environmental Education and the William S. Schmidt
Outdoor Education Center programs;
Coordinating
and assisting with summer programming;
Working with the
staff in facilitating and coordinating the on-site residential program at the
Outdoor Education Center;
Assisting
and coordinating professional development opportunities for staff , teachers,
and administrators;
Assisting
in the formal and informal observation process for teachers;
Assessing in developing a budget that is in line with
the current and new programs at Schmidt; school and classroom needs as relates
to the Environmental Education Program and student achievement;
Representing
the Instructional Supervisor when not available; and
All
other duties as assigned by the Instructional Supervisor of Environmental
Education or Director of
Curriculum and Instruction.
QUALIFICATIONS:The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
Ability
to plan, implement, coordinate, and monitor programs at the Schmidt Center;
Collect
and analyze data regarding Schmidt Programs and develop next steps;
Demonstrates
superior knowledge of pedagogy as it relates to best practices in environmental
science program implementation and development;
Background
knowledge of new instructional initiatives such as Common Core, STEM, and Next Generation
Science Standards, benchmarks, and alternative modes of assessment;
Thorough
knowledge of the MSDE Environmental Literacy Standards and rubric by which their implementation will
be assessed;
Ability
to relate positively with teachers, central office personnel and the general
public;
Experience
in operating standard office equipment and office software including database,
spreadsheet, web page development, etc.;
Ability
to interact effectively with students, teachers, and parents;
Communicate
effectively both in written and oral form with diverse groups;
Excellent
written communication;
Maintains
accurate financial and attendance records; and
Possesses
superior public speaking abilities.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
Graduation
from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree required,
course work or experience in environmental education, outdoor education,
science, or social studies preferred; Master’s Degree required with an emphasis
in the area of administration or supervision, or elementary or secondary school
curriculum and instruction. Minimum three years classroom teaching experience.
CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Maryland Advanced Professional
Certificate, Administrative I Certificate required. Should complete Framework
for Teaching (FFT) Certification within eight months of hire.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Evaluates
and supervises Schmidt staff in absence of Instructional Supervisor.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands 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 frequently required to stand, talk, hear, walk, sit, and use fingers, tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision such as to read handwritten or typed material, the ability to adjust focus, and depth perception. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally push or lift up to 25 lbs.
The physical
demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to
successfully perform the essential functions of the job. While performing the duties of the job, the
employee is frequently required to be outside during outdoor classroom
activities, monitor and coordinate activities by walking the sloping terrain of
the 450 acre campus.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
Other
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
None.