Seasonal Educator

Title: Seasonal Educator

Location: Duke Farms, Hillsborough, N.J.

Reports to: Manager / Community and Professional Education

Status:Seasonal, part time, non-exempt

How to Apply: Click here to apply. Please submit a résumé. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Located in Hillsborough Township, N.J., Duke Farms is a center for applied conservation and sustainability that restores nature and ecosystems, demonstrates equitable climate transition strategies and engages leaders and visitors with the wonder of nature to spark change. Our wide-ranging sustainability efforts include the operation of a 1,000-acre park and associated infrastructure supporting over 150,000 public visitors a year.

Duke Farms is a center of the Doris Duke Foundation (DDF), whose mission is to build a more creative, equitable and sustainable future by investing in artists and the performing arts, environmental conservation, medical research, child well-being and greater mutual understanding among diverse communities. In addition to Duke Farms, DDF operates five national grantmaking programs as well as Shangri La, a global center for transformation located in Honolulu, Hawai‘i. DDF’s activities are guided by the will of Doris Duke, who endowed the foundation with financial assets that currently total over $2 billion. (To learn more about the foundation, visit dorisduke.org.)

POSITION

The Seasonal Educator is a member of the Duke Farms Programs team, dedicated to communicating stewardship and sustainability initiatives through direct instruction to students and visitors. This position is responsible for designing and delivering educational opportunities, including creating lesson plans and implementing them for diverse audiences. The Seasonal Educator uses their naturalist knowledge and teaching expertise to foster meaningful learning experiences that align with Duke Farms’ mission.

Seasonal employees are typically hired for no more than nine months, beginning in March and continuing through December 2025.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Drive understanding and commitment to stewardship, sustainability and conservation among visitors and students through immersive, experiential education programming at Duke Farms.
• Design and deliver innovative and creative lesson plans aligned with New Jersey Student Learning Standards and Next Generation Science Standards, leveraging Duke Farms as a dynamic, educational setting.
• Provide accurate information, develop comprehensive support materials and offer strategic recommendations to enhance Duke Farms’ programs, facilities and mission.
• Develop and facilitate educational opportunities that prioritize (1) school groups from environmental justice communities along the Raritan River and (2) weekend visitors from a range of backgrounds.
• Tailor educational experiences for specialized student and public groups, ensuring accommodations and personalized attention where necessary.
• Perform other related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in education, natural sciences or a related field.
• Relevant experience with a strong knowledge base in areas such as climate change, sustainability, conservation and the indigenous flora and fauna of New Jersey.
• Comfortable speaking to large groups of varying ages, backgrounds and abilities.
• Strong attention to detail, organizational skills and effective communication abilities.
• Proficiency with computer programs, including Zoom, Microsoft Office and Canva, and the ability to learn and use new tools and software.
• Ability to work in various outdoor conditions including but not limited to heat, cold, sun exposure and wet weather with potential exposure to environmental factors such as poison ivy, ticks and mosquitoes.
• Ability to navigate the 2,700-plus-acre Duke Farms property as well as travel to other locations, both indoors and outdoors, in various weather conditions
• Available to work flexible hours including holidays, weekends and evenings.
• A valid driver’s license.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• Anticipated hourly rate is $19.
• 15% employer contribution to 401(k).

OUR VALUES

The following values underpin everything we do in pursuit of our mission across the Doris Duke Foundation:

Integrity: We must be honest and ethical in all that we undertake. As a private foundation, we are accountable to the many stakeholders affected by our work.

Excellence: We will insist on the highest standards of performance in fulfilling our mission, will ground our work in best practices and will make decisions based on the best available information.

Openness and Imagination: We will be a listening and learning organization that is responsive to ideas and opinions from a variety of sources. We value imagination and creativity, the ability to think in new ways about the work we do and how we do it.

Collaboration: We value a collaborative and supportive environment in which to advance our mission and objectives. Creating a working environment that promotes trust, honesty and respect within our organizations is as important as earning the trust and respect of our colleagues and peers in the fields in which we work.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: We believe in the essential value that a diverse set of perspectives, experiences and abilities brings to the table. Our commitment to the values of diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice is an ongoing, active engagement reflected in our funding areas, grantees, museums, centers, board and staff. At the core of our work is a dedication to serving and learning from organizations and individuals addressing inequities and working toward a more just, healthy and inclusive society. (Learn more about our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and how we incorporate this value into our work.)

The Doris Duke Foundation is committed to inclusive hiring and equal employment opportunity. We strongly encourage candidates of all identities, experiences, orientations and communities to apply. Our recruiting and employment practices adhere to all applicable federal, state and local laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act. We provide reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation in the job application process is needed, please contact us here.

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