Seasonal Environmental Educator (Amherst County)

• equipment before programs and ensure proper breakdown and clean-up afterward.
• Gear Maintenance: Participate in the daily cleaning, maintenance, and minor repairs of program gear to ensure functionality and readiness.
• Community Engagement: Support community events by assisting with logistics and on-site activities as needed.

Qualifications: 

• Passion for environmental education and a commitment to the mission and values of the James River Association.
• Ability to work outdoors in various weather conditions and perform physical tasks related to program setup and breakdown, including ability to lift equipment ranging from 40-50 pounds
• Strong group management and experience working with children or adults in an educational or recreational setting.
• Must have strong communication and interpersonal skills and be able to effectively interact with diverse audiences of youth and educators.
• Detail-oriented and organized with the ability to manage multiple tasks effectively.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Science Education, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Must be available for flexible scheduling, including occasional weekends and evenings. 
• Ability to travel to various locations within the assigned region as needed to support programmatic requirements and seasonal demands, sometimes on short notice. 
• Travel within the James River watershed may be occasionally required for meetings and training.
• Ability to operate JRA vehicles and obtain a valid state issued driver’s license

Preferred Skills & Experience:

• 1-2 years of experience delivering environmental, outdoor, and/or experiential programs in outdoor settings, such as rivers, parks, or restoration sites.
• Strong working knowledge of best practices in providing environmental education experience for school-aged students.
• Comfort with kayaking and canoeing, including basic paddling skills and safety practices.
• Comfort with boating and fishing activities such as pulling trawl nets, handling various aquatic species, and a willingness to learn and apply basic boating skills, including knot tying.
• Familiarity with field science tools and equipment, such as water quality testing kits, sampling gear, and data collection instruments.
• Certifications such as CPR and First Aid, ACA Kayak and Canoe, Wilderness First Aid, or Wilderness First Responder are preferred to support safety and outdoor program delivery.

Salary & Benefits Information: Rate of pay is $20 per hour for an average of 30 hours per week, issued biweekly on Wednesdays. Seasonal and part-time employees are eligible for supplemental benefits through our third-party providers.

APPLY by sending your resume and cover letter to [email protected]. This position will remain open until filled. 

Why Work for the James River Association? 

We are OPTIMISTS.

We believe through individual and collective action, the James River can be

preserved and improved, enriching all communities in the watershed.

We are CATALYSTS.

We are proactive change-makers, not bystanders. We take initiative, bring creativity

and passion, and enlist the broader community to drive positive change for the

James River.

CREDIBILITY is our currency.

Our success depends on the trust we build. We operate with integrity and can be

relied on as a true, steady, dependable resource grounded in science.

COMMUNITY drives everything we do.

We believe in the power of community to achieve common goals, honoring a full

range of voices in the process. Our efforts consider the varied needs and interests of

our watershed communities.
 

We are proud to be an EEO employer. We maintain a drug-free workplace. At JRA, we believe in community, conservation, and driving change. We encourage applications from all backgrounds—if you're excited about working with us, we want to hear from you!