Job Opportunities

The University of Virginia's Blandy Experimental Farm seeks a part-time, seasonal Environmental Educator to work with our preK-12 education program team.

Blandy's education program has been providing field learning experiences for students since the mid 1980’s. Approximately 6,000 public, private, and homeschool students participate in our programs each year. Our education programs engage students in authentic, age-appropriate, science investigation experiences that align with Virginia’s Science Standards of Learning. We use hands-on, inquiry-based teaching techniques which we adjust to meet the specific needs of the teachers. The Education Team consists of the Director of Education, Lead Environmental Educator, two full-time Environmental Educators, and this new part-time position. We are excited to add a new member to our team! The seasonal Environmental Educator will assist with program preparation and instruction of students from area schools participating in Blandy’s preK-12 environmental education programs. This is a part-time, hourly wage position. This Environmental Educator will work approximately 15-20 hours per week from mid-September through mid-November and mid-March through mid-June.

Our Environmental Educator will: 

• Provide high-quality, enthusiastic instruction of established outdoor lessons for school groups, grades preK through 12.
• Teach programs that are based upon Virginia science standards and the needs of the teachers.
• Organize and maintain program supplies and help set-up and break-down daily programs. 
• Interact with others in ways that reflect the University’s commitment to respect and inclusion. 
• In addition to the above job responsibilities, other duties may be assigned.

A successful candidate will:

• Have a bachelor’s degree in a natural science or education field.
• Have at least 1 year of experience to include teaching in an outdoor environment. Relevant student experience may be considered. Equivalent experience, such as classroom teaching with a strong emphasis on outdoor instruction, is relevant. 
• Be flexible about work days & hours; a typical work week would include some hours between 7:30 am-3:00 pm, Monday-Friday (no evenings or weekends). 
• Have a positive, professional attitude and good interpersonal skills, and have the ability to follow through on tasks with attention to detail. 
• Be proficient with Microsoft 365 and Google Office Suites • Have energy, enthusiasm, and passion for students and nature. 
• Enjoy being part of a dynamic education team and possess a collaborative work style. 
• Thrive in a fast-paced teaching environment. 
• Embrace change: We frequently adapt our program content based on grade level, learning needs, and requests from teachers. 
• Have an open mindset: enjoy learning about natural history and gaining additional teaching skills. 
• Have a strong commitment to safety while working with our students.

For more information about our preK-12 Education Programs, please go to our web site: https://blandy.virginia.edu/ and select the “Learn” tab.

This is a wage position which is not eligible for leave or other benefits and is limited to 1500 hours of work in a year. For more information, refer to the Wage Employment link: http://uvapolicy.virginia.edu/policy/HRM-029

To apply, please submit an application online through Workday at https://uva.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/UVAJobs and attach a current CV/Resume, Cover Letter and Contact information for three professional references (name, email address, telephone number). Search for requisition number: R0052548.

Application review will begin on Sep 18, 2023, and the position will remain open until filled.

This position will not sponsor applicants for work visas.

Questions about this position? Contact Candace Lutzow-Felling, Director of Education; [email protected].

Questions related to the application process may be directed to Keith Johnson, HR Specialist at [email protected].

The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment. This position will require an education verification and DMV.

Physical Demands: The employee in this position will teach outdoors in all types of Virginia weather: cold or hot; windy or calm; dry or wet. Must be able to stand for prolonged periods (up to 5 hours) and walk distances of up to 3 miles/day in various types of terrain (e.g., flat, hilly, sloped, wetlands, forest, meadow). This job requires lifting and carrying up to 40 lbs. Good hearing, speech, vision, movement, and dexterity are necessary to perform the essential functions of this position.

The University of Virginia seeks a full-time Communications and Events Manager to support and promote Blandy Experimental Farm and the State Arboretum of Virginia.

The Communications and Events Manager is responsible for a broad range of professional communications activities, demonstrating a variety of skills to support Blandy Experimental Farm and the State Arboretum of Virginia. Duties include promoting Blandy and the Arboretum – and expanding its geographic reach – through media and public relations, writing, editing, producing multimedia, managing events, maintaining a social media presence, and generating promotional pieces. The Communications and Events Manager assists with managing promotional and marketing activities, working independently, but in alignment with established goals.  Specifically, the employee in this position:

• Manages a wide variety of communications activities.
• Identifies and pursues rich storylines, develops communications for diverse audiences, and applies expertise in basic communication technologies (social media, website, mass emailing systems).
• Manages ongoing and special fundraising events, coordinating exhibitions, logistics, agendas, staff and volunteers, speaker arrangements, external promotions, and post-event reports.
• Supports public programming through print, broadcast, electronic, and other marketing tools.
• Coordinates and contributes to print publications and digital communications.
• Proactively manages media relations, handling inquiries as well as fostering ongoing relationships, strategically targeting media outreach to specific outlets. Builds working relationships with key media.
• Advises faculty and staff on publication projects, media appearances, public presentations, marketing activities, and initiatives to raise the organization’s profile.
• Coordinates with outside contractors, as necessary.
• Establishes events, publications, and marketing calendar.
• Interacts with others in ways that reflect the University’s commitment to respect and inclusion.
• Other duties may be assigned.

Minimum Requirements:

Education: Bachelor’s degree
Experience: Two years of experience
Licensure: Valid Driver’s License
Other: Must be willing to work occasional evenings and weekends, typically for special events.

The ideal candidate:

• Has five or more years of relevant professional experience.
• Is a positive, proactive person who is an excellent communicator across various media and enjoys working with the public and building relationships.
• Brings an arsenal of proven communications tools, including a network of diverse and widespread current media contacts with local, regional, and national outlets; is perceptive about what makes a good story, how to develop it, and where it can be placed.
• Has a proven record of successful events management, cultivating relationships with sponsors, vendors, speakers, volunteers, and staff.
• Has led or contributed to polished marketing projects that effectively promote events or programs and can share his/her marketing portfolio.
• Knows what good design looks like and can either conceive and execute marketing materials or work with professionals to produce well-designed marketing campaigns.
• Has the ability to leverage digital marketing and social media channels to drive engagement and revenue, as well as interpret analytics for sound decision-making.
• Produces clear, polished, creative, and memorable written and verbal communications for a variety of messaging vehicles.
• Is professional, energetic, collaborative, easy to work with, and persuasive; creatively connects the dots among various projects and constituents to identify synergies that benefit Blandy Experimental Farm and the State Arboretum of Virginia.
• Initiates and innovates in all areas, from public and media relations to fundraising and other events. Explores and suggests new ways to accomplish goals and works with team to make happen.
• Displays a can-do attitude and a what-about-trying-this creative approach to work. Understands strategic direction and needs minimal supervision to help move organization forward.

Physical Demands:

This position requires both work at a desk using computers and frequent activities out of the office. The employee will host onsite tours for media and others, monitor literature and signage at Blandy and regionally, travel to meetings and programs, and manage our events logistically, such as manning a booth or gate, assisting with set-up and clean-up, and working with vendors as necessary. The employee must be comfortable standing for extended periods, working at outdoor events regardless of weather conditions, walking and driving on and offsite, and lifting and carrying 25 pounds.

Application Instructions:

Apply through Workday https://uva.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/UVAJobs and search for R0052780. Submit the online application, attaching the following required documents:

Cover Letter
Current CV/Resume
Contact information for three professional references.

This position will not sponsor applicants for work visas.
This is a restricted position and is contingent on the continued availability of funding.

Questions about this position? Contact Robin Cardillo, [email protected]
Questions about the application process? Contact Rich Haverstrom, [email protected]