Education Specialist

Job Title: Education Specialist 

Salary: $37,500 - $42,000 – commensurate with experience  

Benefits: Health insurance, retirement match, 5+ weeks paid leave

Manager: Education Director

Classification: Exempt

Location: Bluff, UT

Allocation: 95% program, 5% administrative

About the Position

Education Specialist | Full-time Position, Seasonal 9 month, March-November 2025

The Education Specialist will become a central member of our Bluff-based team, as well as supporting education activities at our Monticello campus. The position will be responsible for creating and providing educational programming to visitors, students, and partners. Educational programming includes field trips to Bears Ears National Monument with elementary school students, summer camps with local youth, star parties, and classroom presentations. Programming is aligned to Utah State standards and works to create connection, respect, and appreciation for this living landscape. The Education Specialist will work with a variety of ages ranging from elementary school to elders. 

The Education Specialist will also support the operation of the Education Center, as well as work to enhance our Visit With Respect program. 

A successful candidate will be someone with a connection to and passion for the unique natural and cultural aspects of the Colorado Plateau and the greater Bears Ears region, interested in educating others, and enthusiasm for working with all levels of learners. 

About the Organization

Bears Ears Partnership (BEP) works to protect and build respect for the cultural and natural landscapes of the greater Bears Ears region. BEP has been an essential local voice for protecting the culturally rich, publicly managed lands of southeast Utah since 2010. 

BEP accomplishes its mission through six primary focus areas:

• Indigenous Connections: Supporting Indigenous collaborative management through technical expertise, local knowledge, visitation to cultural sites, and advocacy
• Field Work: Carrying out tangible on-the-ground projects to protect resources and improve the visitor experience in a way that blends archaeology with cultural heritage
• Stewardship: Monitoring land uses and visitor impacts to identify and mitigate threats to cultural sites, wilderness values, and natural resources
• Education: Encouraging positive visitor behavior by inspiring appreciation and teaching Visit With Respect principles, both at the Bears Ears Education Center and out on the landscape
• Advocacy: Working collaboratively with partners to create robust protections and prevent damage through harmful policies
• Research: Enhancing knowledge of cultural and natural resources through documentation, partnerships, fiscal sponsorship, and volunteer support of research projects

Bears Ears Partnership is committed to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in all of our work. We strive to support Indigenous leadership in our work and achieve our mission through collaboration and partnerships. 

Key Responsibilities

• Assists the Education Director in creating materials and lessons to meet Utah State education standards 
• Prepping educational materials as needed for lessons and activities
• Leads field trips, learning stations, and classroom activities
• Attends and facilitates learning activities for all summer camps, rafting 3 days and 2 nights on the San Juan River (3 camps scheduled for Summer 2025)
• Assists with star parties, astronomy presentations, dark sky monitoring; this includes working nights 
• Presents talks on Bears Ears National Monument, Bears Ears Partnership, Visit With Respect (VWR), and cultural and natural resources as requested by partners, organizations, and schools
• Assists Visit With Respect Director with presentations and trainings related to the VWR curriculum and Ambassador program
• Assists with educational events hosted at the Education Center as needed
• Assists with staffing the Education Center front desk as needed

Candidate Qualifications

We are looking for a team member who is committed to BEP’s mission and excited to grow professionally. All candidates should have proven education, communication skills, and relationship management experience.

Concrete demonstrable experience and other qualifications include: 

• Bachelor’s degree in natural resource management, anthropology, education, sociology, or other related field with experience working with diverse groups in an outdoor setting; equivalent professional experience related to this work may substitute for degree requirements
• Experience working with youth (K-12), personable and relatable to young students
• Passion to share the wonders of the greater Bears Ears region with learners of all ages
• Physical fitness, ability to hike several miles while carrying a backpack, ability to lift 30-40 pounds, comfortable river rafting, and sleeping outdoors in a tent
• Strong verbal communication experience, especially in public speaking, with the ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders and cultures 
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to effectively communicate with people from a wide variety of backgrounds 
• Strong awareness and sensitivity regarding Indigenous connections to cultural and natural resources 
• Collaborative spirit and willingness to work with multiple partners on a shared goal
• Passion for the Bears Ears landscape and protecting the natural and cultural sites in and around Bears Ears National Monument
• Desire to learn basic astronomy including constellations and telescope operation

Work Environment

This position will be based at our office in Bluff, Utah. This role will communicate with staff and partners via in-person meetings, phone, video conferencing, and email. This position will require travel into Bears Ears National Monument and local schools with occasional travel to other locations for training, fundraising, and meetings.

This position is required to attend all field trips and summer camps. This includes working in the field and staying overnight in all weather conditions. This position is required to work occasional nights and weekends based on scheduled events. 

Application Process

To apply, send a resume and cover letter explaining how your experiences and skills match this position to hiring@bearsearspartnership.org

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. It is our desire to fill this position by March 2025.

We believe diversity makes us stronger and a wide range of backgrounds and lived experiences will be successful in this position.  We encourage all interested candidates to apply , even if you do not meet all of the qualifications outlined in the job description. Our ideal candidate will be someone who is willing to learn in a team environment, expand their skills and support our growing education program.

Bears Ears Partnership is committed to diversity and inclusivity at all levels of our organization including our hiring practices.  We strongly encourage individuals who are seeking to grow into their positions to submit their resumes for consideration. If you need a reasonable accommodation at any point in the hiring process, please contact Nicole@bearsearspartnership.org