Education Program Manager
Lansing, MI
Ebersole Environmental Center – Meet and Confer /
Meet and Confer Standard (40 hours/week - 52 weeks/year) /
On-site
The Lansing School District serves over 10,000 PreK-12 students across 25 school buildings in the increasingly diverse urban community of Lansing, MI. We are unique compared to other districts because of the wide variety of exciting and innovative educational options from which families and staff members can choose. All of Lansing School District’s team members are dedicated to our mission to provide an excellent education to all students in a safe and nurturing environment.
The Environmental Education Program Coordinator is a dynamic leadership role responsible for planning, delivering, and managing high-quality, place-based environmental education and outdoor programming for school-age children. Based primarily at the Ebersole Center, this position collaborates with school districts and staff to coordinate day and overnight visits, develop curriculum aligned with state standards, and facilitate hands-on learning in nature, recreation, and stewardship. The role includes mentoring program staff, supporting center operations, managing program logistics, and maintaining the center’s natural teaching spaces and animal care.
Ideal candidates will bring a strong background in education or environmental studies, 3–5 years of experience working with youth, leadership experience, and a passion for experiential learning. The ability to work both independently and collaboratively, apply data to drive outcomes, and foster inclusive learning environments is essential. This is an active, physically engaging role requiring outdoor work and some lifting.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in education, Environmental Studies, Resource Management, Natural or Health Sciences, or related field.
- 3 to 5 years, minimum, experience working with children in schools, environmental education centers, youth camps, or related experience.
- 1 to 3 years of professional leadership experience preferred;
- Demonstrated passion for, and commitment to, providing school-age children with high-quality programming related to environmental education, outdoor recreation, and stewardship;
- Demonstrated ability to effectively use technology for communication, data analysis, and writing.
- Demonstrated ability to work in a multiethnic and multicultural learning environment.
- Demonstrated capacity to be a reflective leader and embrace opportunities for growth;
- Ability to work independently and to collaborate and leverage strengths within a team setting;
- Ability to use data to determine (and monitor) program goals and outcomes;
- Proven ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing;
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate and leverage strengths within a team setting.
- Proven ability to prioritize tasks based on performance goals; and
- Willingness to perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.
Job Responsibilities
- Plan and coordinate day and overnight visits to the Ebersole Center, in collaboration with the Ebersole Director and Lansing School District (or other) staff.
- Develop and align curriculum and center activities to the relevant Michigan standards and best practices associated with place-based and environmental education.
- Deliver instruction in environmental education, outdoor recreation, team-building, and specialized programs; areas at the Ebersole Center and/or on-location at various sites, including schools.
- Maintain, with support from the Ebersole grounds staff, all outdoor teaching areas, nature trails, and equipment at the Ebersole Center.
- Care for, and be good stewards of, all plants and animals at the Ebersole Center, including all on-site teaching animals.
- Assist the Ebersole Director in marketing and recruitment efforts, including Lansing School District-based staff and parent meetings.
- Manage incoming registrations and inquiries from the community about camps and other Ebersole activities.
- Manage timesheets and schedule for programming employees.
- Manage volunteer applications and processing, as well as scheduling volunteer groups.
- Assist the Ebersole Director in managing employment matters, including hiring, discipline, job performance evaluations, and appraisals, etc.
- Mentor and support the professional growth and development of Ebersole Program Planning Coordinators.
- Other duties as assigned by the Ebersole Director.
Work Environment & Physical Requirements
- Regularly required to stand, walk, sit, talk, and hear
- Standing and walking for long periods of time
- Occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl
- Occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds
- Regularly required to use close vision, distance vision, and peripheral vision. Must also have the ability to adjust focus.
$59,905 - $96,907 a year
1 FTE
At Lansing School District, we champion diversity, equity, and inclusion, providing equal opportunities to all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or sexual orientation. We foster a rich environment for professional growth and student experiences by valuing diverse perspectives. As an equal opportunity employer, we invite passionate individuals dedicated to educational excellence to apply for our positions.
We value internal mobility and list "Strong Internal Candidate" when considering an internal candidate before posting a job. We still encourage all candidates to apply.
Complete the attached online application at your earliest convenience. If selected, we will contact you to set up an interview. While we strive to provide prompt feedback, the high volume of applicants may limit our ability to do so. All of our jobs will be posted for at least 10 days (unless otherwise noted), but we will review applications on a rolling basis.
External candidates interested in multiple positions within the same department need only apply to one posting and can indicate other roles of interest in the final question. We will consider your application for various roles based on your qualifications.
Internal candidates should apply using their SSO email address and submit separate applications for each role of interest.
Thank you for your interest in joining our mission-driven team. We look forward to meeting you!
This job description is intended to outline the general responsibilities and qualifications for the position. It is not an exhaustive list of duties, and the Lansing School District reserves the right to modify job responsibilities as needed. Due to the evolving needs of the District, additional job responsibilities may be assigned (depending on funding sources).
