Education Coordinator

Education Coordinator (Part-time)

Gowanus Canal Conservancy works to build an equitable, thriving and resilient urban ecosystem in Gowanus - its waterway, urban forest, parks and open space - through education, stewardship, and advocacy that empower our community.

Gowanus Canal Conservancy (GCC) is a community-based non-profit organization that serves as an environmental steward for the Gowanus Canal watershed. The Education Coordinator (Part-Time) will support Gowanus Canal Conservancy's (GCC) in-person education field trips. Serving as the lead instructor for school groups, the Education Coordinator is supported by GCC's Education Programs Senior Manager to carry out their role. This is an in-person role with some duties having a remote option.

Education Program Description

GCC hosts a variety of education field trip options for students in grades K-12 from September through June. The program topics include Urban Ecology and Water Quality Testing. In addition, GCC hosts school groups for tours focused on Green Infrastructure and Urban Habitats. The education program at GCC is at an exciting point of growth where new programs are in process of development with a new indoor classroom space opening in the 2026-27 school year.


GCC Education hosts over 1000 students each school year, has partnership programs in education with local schools, and helps collect valuable data used by the GCC in advocacy and community-related work. Many of the students and schools we work with are located in environmental justice areas or receive Title I funding. GCC education strives to invite into its STEM programs underserved students and underrepresented groups in the STEM community.

Responsibilities

Training & Teaching (in-person)

• Assist and lead instruction for 75 - 90 minute outdoor field trips at GCC's Lowlands Nursery
• Lead instruction for 90-minute tours in the Gowanus community for up to 35 students
• Train and manage a group of seasonal interns, committed to supporting field trips at the Lowlands Nursery
• Support teacher workshops & events
• Comfortable teaching a variety of grade levels in different topics

Planning and Lesson Development (In-person and with remote options)

• Plan lessons and materials using and building on already developed curriculum and materials as needed
• Curriculum writing & support for new programs

Administration & Coordination (In-person and with remote options)

• Coordination & mentorship of interns/volunteers
• Communication with teachers
• Participation in regular meetings with Education Program Manager
• Program evaluation

Physical Requirements

• Requires ability to be on your feet for long periods of time while outdoors.
• Requires some moving/lifting of light to moderate weight materials.
• Requires working in heat, cold, and rain.

Qualifications

Required:

• Strong professional background and experience in urban ecology, marine biology, environmental science or related fields
• Experience teaching & managing students in both indoor & outdoor field work settings
• Collaborative, creative, generative, efficient team player who is able to meet deadlines
• Passion for cultivating environmental stewardship among youth
• Strong communicator
• Basic computer skills (email, data entry, google suite, canva)

Preferred:

• Experience teaching a range of ages K-12
• Experience developing environmental curriculum with embedded assessments
• Knowledge of the Gowanus Canal and/or other NYC waterways
• Experience managing interns and/or volunteers
• Mentoring experience
• Bilingual: English & Spanish

Compensation

This is a year-round, part-time position paying $34,375 - $35,500 for 25/hours per week based on experience. GCC uses a transparent rubric to determine salaries and annual raises. Experience is measured by the number of years of work, relevant work, and education.


Competitive benefits package includes 50% coverage of company health care policy, FSA, commuter benefits, life insurance, and paid time off, including 12 Vacation Days, 17 Holidays, 5 Sick Days, additional leave for Covid, Bereavement, Jury Duty, Paid Parental & Family Leave.

Schedule

The position begins on September 3, 2026 and is scheduled for Monday through Friday, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Occasional evening and weekend work will be required, with advance notice provided whenever possible. Certain administrative responsibilities may be completed remotely and with flexible scheduling, while other work will take place at the GCC office.

Apply Please answer all questions on this application, provide a resume and cover letter. Applications without resumes and cover letters will not be considered. Application is open through August 14, 2026.

Gowanus Canal Conservancy is an equal opportunity employer and encourages candidates of all racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds to apply.