Position:
- Director of KCEEI (Keystone College Environmental Education Institute) and the Woodland Campus
Reports to:
- Department Chair: Biological & Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Position Summary:
- The Director of the Keystone College Environmental Education Institute (KCEEI) and Woodland Campus provides leadership, oversight, and strategic direction for the College’s outdoor educational facilities and environmental programming. The Director supports the academic mission of the Department of Biological and Physical Sciences and Mathematics through stewardship of the Woodland Campus, supervision of educational and research resources, development of community and youth programming, grant development and management, and collaboration with faculty, staff, students, and external partners. The Director plays a key role in promoting experiential learning, environmental education, sustainability initiatives, and applied research opportunities.
- The candidate will enjoy working in an academic environment and will work closely with faculty and students. The candidate will support the educational mission of the Department of Biological & Physical Sciences and Mathematics by managing the Woodland Campus including the trail, the Apiary, the Sugar Shack, the Seismometer Station, the Greenhouse, and the Apple Orchard, as well as planning and implementing summer programming. The candidate will explore additional grant opportunities to support summer programming and the Woodland Campus needs. The candidate will help support research efforts on the Woodland Campus.
Primary Responsibilities:
- The Director will need to spend time outdoors, working on the Woodland Campus and in each of the areas under supervision.
- Meeting and taking part in Department meetings
- Maintain the Woodland Campus, including the trails, by removing invasive species, planting native species, cutting back trees and brush, removing trash and/or graffiti.
- Supervise the beekeeper, the Apiary, and the honey harvests and bottling.
- Supervise the Sugar Shack assistant, the Sugar Shack syrup production from tree tapping to syrup bottling and maintain the sap lines and equipment.
- Manage the Apple Orchard, including tree and brush removal, apple harvest, and cider press (including bottling).
- Manage the maintenance of the Seismometer Station, include tree and brush removal.
- Mentor students and manage the research projects conducted on the Woodland Campus, including approval of project placement.
- Manage the student assistants/graduate assistants that maintain the Greenhouse.
- Plan and implement summer programming opportunities.
- Explore grant opportunities and maintain existing grant reporting.
- Develop annual goals, priorities, and operational plans for KCEEI and the Woodland Campus.
- Maintain compliance with institutional, local, state, and federal regulations related to environmental education programs and land management.
- Develop partnerships with schools, nonprofit organizations, governmental agencies, and community stakeholders.
- Coordinate public outreach events, workshops, and educational programs.
- Assist with student recruitment and retention efforts through outreach activities and campus events.
- Maintain records and inventories for Woodland Campus facilities, equipment, and supplies.
- Develop and manage budgets associated with KCEEI operations, grants, and programming.
- Ensure safe operation of facilities, equipment, and outdoor activities.
- Assist faculty with field-based instruction and experiential learning opportunities.
- Represent Keystone College and KCEEI at professional meetings, conferences, and community events.
Experience/Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in a related field (preferred), Bachelor’s degrees will be considered.
- Experience working with students of different age groups running educational experiences such as camps, seminars, guest speakers, etc.
- Experience managing natural areas, trails, arboretums, farms, apiaries, orchards, or environmental field stations.
- Experience with environmental interpretation and community outreach.
- Experience with budget development and management.
- Experience conducting or supporting scientific research projects.
- Experience supervising summer camps or youth educational programs.
- Certification in First Aid, CPR, or wilderness safety training.
- Previous grant writing experience
Skills and Abilities:
- Demonstrated leadership, supervisory, and project management skills, with the ability to effectively oversee staff, student workers, graduate assistants, volunteers, and educational programs.
- Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, students, administrators, and community partners.
- Strong organizational, scheduling, and time-management skills, with exceptional attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
- Ability to work independently while exercising sound judgment, initiative, and problem-solving skills in a dynamic outdoor and academic environment.
- Knowledge of environmental education principles, natural resource management practices, ecological restoration, and experiential learning methodologies.
- Experience developing, coordinating, and implementing educational programming, outreach initiatives, workshops, camps, and community engagement activities.
- Demonstrated grant writing, grant management, and reporting experience, with the ability to identify and pursue external funding opportunities.
- Ability to mentor students and support faculty research activities through coordination of field-based and applied research projects.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and other common software applications used for communication, scheduling, reporting, budgeting, and data management.
- Strong public speaking and presentation skills, with the ability to represent Keystone College and KCEEI in professional and community settings.
- Ability to establish and maintain productive working relationships with diverse audiences, including students, faculty, staff, donors, grant agencies, and community organizations.
- Competency in the safe operation and maintenance of outdoor equipment, including chainsaws, brush cutters, hand tools, and other grounds-maintenance equipment.
- Ability to work outdoors for extended periods in varying weather conditions and traverse uneven terrain while conducting Woodland Campus operations.
- Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds frequently and up to 50 pounds occasionally.
- Some schedule flexibility is required, including occasional evenings, weekends, and travel for professional development, training, outreach programs, and special events.
TO APPLY:
Please send resume, cover letter, and names, addresses & phone numbers of three professional references to: Human Resources * Keystone College * One College Green * La Plume, PA 18440-1099 * email: humanresources@keystone.edu
