Trout in the Classroom (TIC) Program Coordinator - City of New York : Job Details

The NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) enriches the environment and protects public health for all New Yorkers by providing 1.1 billion gallons of high-quality drinking water, managing wastewater and stormwater, and reducing air, noise, and hazardous materials pollution. DEP is the largest combined municipal water and wastewater utility in the country, with nearly 6,000 employees. DEP's water supply system is comprised of 19 reservoirs and 3 controlled lakes throughout the system's 2,000 square mile watershed that extends 125 miles north and west of the City. The Bureau of Public Affairs and Communications (BPAC) manages the public information, community outreach and legislative affairs of the Agency. It is responsible for all press and media inquiries, environmental education, special projects and events, production of all public information, both print and electronic, and has responsibility for managing agency-wide graphic and photographic needs. BPAC is seeking to hire a Trout in the Classroom (TIC) Program Coordinator. TIC is an innovative, environmental and conservation education program for elementary, middle, and high school students. Over 18,000 students from more than 150 schools throughout New York City and the East and West of Hudson Watersheds participate in TIC each year. This exciting, yearlong program fosters an appreciation for the importance of our shared water resources by engaging students and teachers in raising trout from eggs to fingerlings in classroom aquaria and then releasing their trout during a field trip to a watershed stream. Working under the supervision of the Director of Education, the TIC Program Coordinator will perform very responsible work in the supervision, planning, implementation, coordination, and evaluation of the Trout in the Classroom Program. The TIC Program Coordinator will research and create dynamic and engaging STEM educational programs and resources for a diverse audience, including students, formal and non-formal educators, parents, and school administrators, throughout New York City and the East and West of Hudson Watersheds. The TIC Program Coordinator will build strong partnerships with cultural and educational institutions, youth groups, and environmental and professional organizations, to support ongoing and new collaborative efforts related to watershed protection, drinking water supply, stewardship, and climate change. The selected candidate will have at least 3-5 years of prior experience working with formal and/or non-formal education to design, manage, implement, and evaluate environmental education programs and special projects. Tasks will include but not be limited to:

• Supervise, plan, implement, coordinate, and evaluate the Trout in the Classroom Program for New York City and the East and West of Hudson Watersheds.
• Research, create, and implement dynamic and engaging STEM education programs and resources for a diverse audience, including K-12 students, formal and non-formal educators, parents, and school administrators; aligned with NY State and NYC learning standards and curriculum connections.
• Research and conduct outreach to grow and maintain a network of school participants; engage educators through monthly e-newsletters and daily correspondence; support educators with finding funding opportunities and obtaining program equipment.
• Design, plan, implement, and evaluate professional learning opportunities for educators, including workshops, conferences, and trainings; support teachers with New York State Continuing Education hours, and maintain all required documents.
• Organize, manage, facilitate, and evaluate spring trout release field trip days for students and educators throughout the New York City watersheds.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with science, cultural, and educational institutions, youth groups, and environmental and professional organizations, including Trout Unlimited and local chapter volunteers, and NYS Department of Environmental Conservation for licensing and permitting requirements; participate in NYC and watershed professional organizations.
• Research, create, and evaluate print and online STEM education resources for students and educators, including comprehensive online modules, study guides, protocols for water testing, citizen science best practices, interactive maps, print curriculum, books, and student worksheets.
• Research and support assignments to ensure the implementation of agency priorities and programs; maintain records and assist in writing reports related to mandated programs, including NYC's federal Filtration Avoidance Determination, NYC's MS4 permit, and NY State's consent decrees.
• Support the team's special projects and annual programs, such as the Visitor Center at Newtown Creek, Water Resources Art and Poetry Contest, professional learning opportunities, and the Day in the Life of the Hudson River and Harbor citizen science event.

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.