Fenner Nature Center 

Field School Instructor Position Description 

 

Department/Division: City of Lansing Parks and Recreation 

 

Starting Pay Rate: $9.00+ per hour 

 

Schedule: Monday through Friday (35+ hours per week, depending on need); occasional weekend and evening work may be required 

 

Education and Experience Requirements: 

 High school diploma or GED. 

 At least two (2) years of college-level course work in elementary education, environmental education, or related natural resource fields is required. 

 Previous experience communicating and interacting with children individually and in a group setting is preferred. 

 Preferred education, experience, or a combination of education and experience includes, but is not limited to: the use of a personal computer with word processing and other types of software, development of curriculum/lesson plans, and teaching experience. 

 The City of Lansing reserves the right to utilize equivalencies where deemed appropriate with regard to education and experience requirements. 

 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Requirements: 

 Knowledge of general ecology. 

 Knowledge of effective formal and informal teaching methods and principles of curriculum development. 

 Knowledge of the principles and practices of group communication. 

 Skill in the use of a personal computer with word processing and other types of software. 

 Skill in facilitating groups of children, adults, and families in an outdoor setting. 

 Ability to develop interpretive programming and link to educational standards. 

 Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing. 

 Ability to effectively teach the public about environmental topics. 

 Ability to proactively identify tasks that need to be accomplished and work independently to ensure their completion. 

 

Physical Capacity Requirements: 

This position requires the ability to walk, speak, hear, lift, carry, finger dexterity, and visual acuity. It also requires the ability to lift 15 pounds with occasional lifting of up to 40 pounds. Reasonable accommodations will be provided, if necessary, for individuals with disabilities who can perform the essential job functions of the assignment. 

 

Environmental Conditions of Position: 

The work associated with this position will occur in both the classroom environment and the outdoor environment in all kinds of weather and in uneven terrain. 

 

Essential Position Functions: Under the direct supervision of the Lead Field School Instructor, the Field School Instructor will undertake the following responsibilities: 

 

Programmatic (90%): 

 Development and delivery of curriculum related to the Fenner Field School (including alignment with curriculum standards) 

 Lead and/or participate in service learning projects with volunteers of all ages and abilities 

 

Administrative (5%): 

 Light janitorial, clerical and office duties related to the Fenner Field School at Fenner Nature Center 

 Administrative tracking of participants and routine interactions with the public 

 Maintenance of live animal displays and bird feeding areas 

 

Other Duties as Assigned (5%): 

 This Position Description does not include all tasks that may be completed in this position. Duties may be added, removed, or modified at any time. 

 

To Apply: Go to the City of Lansing website (www.lansingmi.gov), click on “Apply For” and then “Jobs with the City of Lansing.” Fill out the online application for this position. A criminal background check and medical evaluation of the successful candidate will occur upon a conditional job offer. To prove that educational requirements are met, please provide a copy of your college transcripts with your application.