Be our next River Educator!

To apply, send your resume to Blackstone Valley Tourism Council’s Director of Operations, Natalie Carter, at natalie.bvtc@gmail.com

JOB DESCRIPTION

TITLE: Environmental Educator/Manager

REPORTS TO: Director of Operations

SUPERVISES: Provides functional direction and scheduling to Explorer crew and guest speakers, as well as to other BVTC staff depending on projects.

SUMMARY OF POSITION: The mission of the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council is to inspire and increase sustainable tourism in the Blackstone River Valley. The Educational Vessel Blackstone Valley Explorer, owned by the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council since its launching in 1993, supports the Council’s mission along with its River Classroom at Central Falls Landing, through various educational programs on the river, on land and its environs.

This Educator/Manager plays a key leadership role in implementing the agenda of the BVTC as well as the vessel Explorer. Duties include but are not limited to soliciting school and other community groups for educational tours on Explorer, ensuring that the vessel is properly staffed with captains and crew/guides, serving as a crew/guide, offering classroom learning opportunities as well as offsite tours within the Blackstone Valley. The Educator/Manager will produce and/or update narratives used upon Explorer as well as printed and online materials to support the Tourism Council’s education agenda and tailor presentations to various groups such as grammar, middle and high school students as well as to adults in the community.  

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Develop and implement educational programs for schools, the general public and groups
  • Expand BVTC’s customer base for river education programs by reaching out to current, past and prospective new customers. Will collaborate with the Director of Operations to establish bench marks to measure this critically needed expansion.
  • Produce educational publications including curriculum guides, brochures, worksheets and other educational materials
  • Represent the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council at meetings with other cooperative facilities and projects
  • Presents existing programs and curricula
  • Assist in finding and applying for educational grants for the BVTC
  • Facilitate connections with the government, other non-profits and public groups
  • Conduct outreach to the local community about programs and educational opportunities
  • Participate in BVTC programs and events such as the kayak program, river clean-up activities, the annual River Day, the annual Rhode Island Chinese Dragon Boat Races and Taiwan Day Festival, Pirates on the Blackstone, the Polar Express, etc.
  • Maintain relevant sections of the BVTC’s website, such as river tours, special events, education programs, etc. Coordinate with vendors such as Fare Harbor to enable potential passengers to book tours online.
  • As the primary Crew/Guide for Explorer’s educational programs, participate in the Maritime Consortium’s anti-drug program which may include mandatory or random drug testing
  • Participate in training exercises for crew aboard Explorer.
  • Collaborate with Captains to determine the appropriateness of Explorer tours given river and weather conditions.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, education or other related field.

Previous experience developing and delivering educational programs.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

  • Able to provide direction and training to BVTC staff assigned to Explorer
  • Knowledge of and ability to develop educational programs for multiple ages and demographic groups
  • Managerial and entrepreneurial skills and abilities needed to expand BVTC’s river education programs.
  • Able to represent the Tourism Council with other non-profit agencies, government agencies, schools and other community groups
  • Knowledge of a full range of computer programs such as those found in Microsoft Office. Able to navigate through the internet. Able to use reservation software such as Fare Harbor to enable customers to book river tours online.
  • Able to serve as a River Guide on the riverboat Explorer, including maintaining compliance with the standards of The Maritime Consortium.
  • Possess excellent communication skills, including the ability to make presentations to groups of up to forty people.
  • Able to guide student passengers with the use of water quality tools and conduct basic scientific experiments.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Many of the Educator/Manager’s duties are performed in a standard office environment. The incumbent also spends a significant amount of time outdoors on a boat in various weather conditions. While on a boat, the incumbent may be standing for significant periods of time, performing basic boat duties such as securing or releasing lines, and will participate in identifying or responding to emergency situations.

To apply, send your resume to Blackstone Valley Tourism Council’s Director of Operations, Natalie Carter, at natalie.bvtc@gmail.com