Employees at Dinosaur Ridge join an exciting team working to teach people about a world-famous paleontology site and National Natural Landmark.
Programs Assistant – eeCorps/Americorps Service Position
Reports to: Erin LaCount, Education Programs Director; Barbara Farley, Volunteer and Program Growth Director; and Erin Dreps, eeCorps Program Coordinator
Status: Seasonal (9-months)
Start Date: August 23, 2021
Compensation: A bimonthly living allowance of $511.95, plus an education award of $4,441.50 upon successful completion of term of service.
Who you are:
The Programs Assistant will assist with developing new education programs and updating and revamping existing onsite and virtual programs to maximize the impact and reach. This is a Three-Quarter Time (TQT) national and community service position led by the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education (CAEE), the
Environmental Education Corps (eeCorps), and AmeriCorps.
We anticipate this position will:
Require at a minimum a total of 1,200 hours during the year (approximately 35 hours/week from 8/23/21 to 5/20/22). Flexible hours are required, including occasional evening and weekend commitments, and some holidays.
Experience:
eeCorps members receive significant training and experience in community engagement, project implementation, leadership, diverse populations, and more.
Responsibilities and Duties:
eeCorps members engage with their Host Site organizations to develop, implement, and enhance programs, projects, and activities that will create progress towards eeCorps’ and Dinosaur Ridge’s goals. These Primary Responsibilities include:
• Development of one to two new interpretive programs in an audio tour format. As a result of changes to operations during COVID, the Education staff created a successful new audio tour that has been a wonderful way for our visitors to observe, wonder and learn while walking our trail at their own pace and with their own groups. We would like to increase our reach and impact with this medium by developing a children’s version, an audio tour for our second site at Triceratops Trail in Golden, and/or a Spanish language version of the current audio tour. Engaging audio tours will provide us with additional ways to inspire environmental stewardship and preservation of our unique outdoor sites.
• Revamp our virtual “Ask a Paleontologist or Geologist” program. Currently, K-12 teachers can select an earth science study topic of their choice and ask questions of one of Dinosaur Ridge’s scientists. Questions and/or topics are submitted in advance and answers can be discussed with students in a live virtual session or a recorded video session. The Education Intern would develop specific short lessons on topics such as: dinosaurs of Colorado, fossilization, geologic processes, preservation of geologic sites, rocks & minerals, ancient environments, recent dinosaur discoveries, or other dinosaur and geology-related topics.
• Continue to develop and refine our new virtual education programs to ensure that they are meeting our education impact goals.
• Attend all eeCorps AmeriCorps trainings and orientations.
• Complete all eeCorps required National Days of Service projects.
• Complete and submit all necessary eeCorps paperwork and reports by predetermined deadlines.
Secondary Responsibilities include:
• Assist with implementing assessment/evaluation of new programs.
• Assist with special events such as Scout Day and Girl Scout Day
• Attend Education and All Staff meetings
Physical, Emotional, and Intellectual Demands:
- Ability to work in outdoor setting in various weather conditions for up to 4 hours.
- Able to carry/lift 50 pounds.
- Commitment to equity in education
- “People person” willing to engage with children, families and adults.
Desired Qualifications:
• Age 18+ required, age 21+ preferred
• 2-year Associates degree or 4-year Bachelors degree in science or environmental education with coursework in paleontology and earth science
• Geology or Paleontology coursework
• Bilingual in Spanish and English
• Minimum of 1 year of Interactive inquiry-based program delivery experience for school, family and adult audiences, preferably in an outdoor or non-profit setting
• Experience with delivering programs using virtual education formats including Zoom, Google Meet, and learning management systems
• Excellent public speaking and teaching skills
• Friendly and outgoing demeanor
• Organized and attentive to detail
• Excellent written communication skills
• Strong computer skills
• Team-oriented and consistently demonstrates positive values in work habits
• Ethic of national and community service and a strong desire to create positive change
• Ability to pass criminal history checks (required)
• U.S. Citizenship or lawful permanent resident status required
Location and Service Conditions:
This position is based at Dinosaur Ridge, 16831 W. Alameda Parkway, Morrison, CO. (Some service may also be performed at the Discovery Center at 17681 W. Alameda
Parkway and Triceratops Trail in Golden, CO.
Benefits: Three-Quarter Time eeCorps members receive:
● A bimonthly living allowance of $511.95. Taxes are deducted and the living allowance is distributed twice per month by direct deposit to the member’s bank account.
● An education award of $4,441.50 upon successful completion of term of service. It is possible to defer student loans while serving as an AmeriCorps member.
● Mileage reimbursement for travel to required trainings, days of service, and program sites
● Non-tangible benefits including extensive training, valuable experience, networking, and the opportunity to serve the local community in a crucial area of need.
● Ability to participate in regional EE leadership councils; option to obtain CAEE’s nationally recognized Professional Environmental Educator Certification.
Diversity and Equal Opportunity:
Dinosaur Ridge is dedicated to the principles of equal opportunity. We prohibit unlawful discrimination against applicants on the basis of age 40 and over, race, sex, color, religion, national origin, disability, military status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable state or local law. This prohibition includes unlawful harassment based on any of these protected classes, as well as marital status, political affiliation, ancestry, and ethnicity. Unlawful harassment includes verbal or physical conduct which has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual’s work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment. This policy applies to all employees, including managers, supervisors, co-workers, and non-employees such as customers, volunteers, interns, clients, vendors, consultants, etc.
The Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education (CAEE) recognizes the value of diversity and inclusiveness to advance environmental education. CAEE defines diversity in its broadest sense and welcomes everyone to the field of environmental education and the Alliance, including but not limited to people of all races, ethnicities, genders, gender expressions, sexual orientations, abilities, ages, national origins, socioeconomic status, religious affiliations, languages, and heritages.
To Apply:
Please send your resume and a short cover letter outlining your interest in the program and commitment to national service to Erin Dreps, AmeriCorps Program Coordinator, at americorps@caee.org. Please include “AmeriCorps Dinosaur Ridge Application” in the subject line. Please also attach a list of three (3) references, and a diversity and inclusion statement that is no longer than one page in length.
Maintenance Technician
Reports to: Operations Director
Status: Seasonal (6-month)
Star Date: ASAP
Compensation: $16
Who you are:
In this role, you will support maintenance needs (small construction projects, electrical, repair, and cleaning tasks) for 20 hours per week for 6 months in the spring, summer, and early fall at Dinosaur Ridge, including at our Visitors Center, Discovery Center, as well as on Dinosaur Ridge and at Triceratops Trail.
We anticipate this position will:
Require your availability on site 3-4 days a week, normally during daytime hours. Work schedule is somewhat flexible. The 6-month time frame may be extended depending on organizational financial status.
Experience
Must have prior buildings and grounds maintenance experience and insured personal vehicle, pickup preferred. Looking for candidates who take pride in protecting, maintaining, and enhancing the value of our site, one of the most important scientific sites in the country.
Responsibilities and Duties (Reports to Head of Maintenance).
Responsibilities (Including but not limited to):
- Responding to and completing work orders in a timely manner and responding quickly to emergencies;
- Cleaning all parts of our property, including buildings (exterior and interior), restrooms, signs, landscaping, parking lots, visitor sites;
- Repairing broken or nonfunctioning small machinery, signs, appliances, structures (e.g. carts, desks, fencing);
- Painting both interior and exterior; 5) Repairing minor electrical, plumbing, boiler and HVAC is a plus;
- Removing snow and trash as necessary;
- Assisting other groups with cleaning, maintenance, and special projects;
- Performing light carpentry work;
- Ordering maintenance supplies and parts as required for Dinosaur Ridge;
- Maintaining logs/records;
- Fulfilling maintenance requests from all departments.
Required Qualifications:
- At least two years of experience with building maintenance (painting, minor plumbing, minor electrical, carpet cleaning, pressure washing, etc.)
- Knowledge of building equipment, furnaces, swamp coolers, security, doors, lighting, etc.
- Ability to multitask, prioritize, and follow directions is essential.
- Possession of State of Colorado Driver’s License and personal vehicle for hauling small items (e.g., lawnmower, large tools, sacks of concrete, sand and gravel)
- Strong customer service and communication and some computer skills
- Able to lift 50 pounds, climb a ladder, and do moderate shoveling.
Preferred, but not required Qualities:
-
Mechanical, landscaping, and building skills are a plus
-
Able to lift 50 pounds, climb a ladder, and do moderate shoveling
To Apply:
Email your resume and letter of interest to kevin.andrew@dinoridge.org. No calls please. Employment eligibility and background checks (no felonies) will be performed.
Dinosaur Ridge
Located on Jefferson County Open Space, Dinosaur Ridge is one of the most important paleontology sites on Earth. Our globally iconic site has been ranked by paleontologists as the #1 dinosaur track site in the nation, and one of the most important in the world. Dinosaur Ridge draws 245,000 annual visitors to our outdoor museum to view 300+ dinosaur tracks still preserved on the sandstone slope. Dinosaur Ridge was also the site of the first Stegosaurus discovery on earth and was designated National Natural Landmark in 1973. The Friends of Dinosaur Ridge is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1989 with the purpose of preserving the fossils on Dinosaur Ridge and educating the public about the natural history of the area. Our mission was later expanded to include the fossil sites at Triceratops Trail in Golden, Colorado.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Friends of Dinosaur Ridge is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, volunteers, and guests. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on job requirements, individual performance, and business needs.
