Calumet Is My Back Yard (CIMBY) Stewardship Coordinator

The Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has set ambitious goals to ensure that every childin every school and every neighborhoodhas access to a world-class learning experience from birth, resulting in graduation from high school college- and career-ready.

The CIMBY Stewardship Coordinator will provide supports for teaching and learning of environmental service learning for high schools on Chicago's southeast side. This includes supporting teachers in planning and implementing high quality science education curriculum that connects stewardship experiences in nearby natural areas to science taking place in the field and in the classroom. The coordinator will work throughout the district to ensure that schools have access to programming, partnerships and curricula that enables students to participate in rigorous service learning experiences.

In collaboration with The Field Museum, the Dunes Learning Center, and the Shirley Heinz Land Trust, Chicago Public Schools hosts Calumet Is My Back Yard (CIMBY), an 18-year old service learning and student leadership development program working with high schools on the southeast side of Chicago. CIMBY connects youth to nature by facilitating authentic, place-based learning experiences with Chicago Public High School students and teachers, empowering students through extensive stewardship and leadership training, and supporting teachers to engage their students in rich science education. CIMBY students serve a pivotal role in the Calumet region - improving local communities and natural areas, and fostering a deeper civic responsibility on Chicago's southeast side. We are seeking a Stewardship Coordinator to plan and implement ecological restoration projects with high school students and teachers.

The CIMBY Stewardship Coordinator should have experience working with youth outdoors as well as organizing and leading small and large scale events for students. The candidate must be able to work collaboratively and manage relationships with multiple stakeholders. This includes developing and maintaining relationships with land managers, such as the Chicago Park District and the Forest Preserves of Cook County, and with additional partner organizations to provide curricular resources, coordinate professional learning opportunities for teachers, and develop experiential educational opportunities for students. The CIMBY Stewardship Coordinator will be expected to collaborate with the Department of Social Science and Civic Engagement on department initiatives. This will include supporting projects and working collaboratively to ensure articulation of service learning programming in teaching and learning, especially at the high school level. The coordinator must also be able to navigate and coordinate within the existing CPS structures to ensure that schools can take advantage of the supports that exist for service learning in the district.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Stewardship

1. Meet individually with CIMBY Teachers to provide professional development, set a yearly plan and provide curriculum.

2. Plan 40+ stewardship experiences for CIMBY schools over the course of the school year, working with local partners to ensure natural area management plans are implemented effectively.

3. Supervise and lead 3-hour stewardship experiences in Calumet at various natural areas.

4. Organize tools, plants, seeds, gloves, boots, snacks, and kits for stewardship.

5. Schedule bus transportation.

6. Collect, enter, and analyze data from stewardship events.

7. Schedule and communicate with teachers regarding events. Organize volunteers to assist as needed and coordinate with land managers/stewards about approved management plans and goals.

8. Complete work-day follow up - applying herbicide, managing brush piles, cleaning up tools, and reporting.

School Visits

1. Conduct two classroom visits per school each school year.

2. Prepare students for stewardship visits and model curriculum instruction.

3. Support year-end project development.

All-school Events

1. Lead five yearly all-school events for multiple CIMBY school groups including event planning, communication with teachers and site hosts, creating agendas, scheduling bus transportation, and ordering refreshments.

2. Create/update curriculum and activities for each event.

3. Day-of facilitation and evaluation.

4. Support implementation of initiatives and priorities of the Department of Social Science and Civic Engagement including but not limited to department conferences, professional learning and student engagement events.

Student Leadership

1. Work with former summer student interns to keep them engaged in the CIMBY program throughout the school year. Develop opportunities for engagement. Communicate with students with resources and guidance.

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the CIMBY Stewardship Coordinator must possess the following qualifications:

1. Experience working with students and teachers.

2. Ecological management experience in Calumet and/or local natural areas (prairies, savannas, wetlands, woodlands) in or around Chicago.

3. Highly preferred: ability to lead stewardship (Workday Leader Certification) at Forest Preserve District of Cook County sites and possess a current Illinois Pesticide Applicator License.

4. Highly preferred: ability to identify native and non-native plant species and implement best practices for removal.

5. Ability to motivate students and teachers to participate in stewardship. Possess an interest in community-based conservation and working with diverse communities.

6. Understand natural land management strategies.

7. Understand and practice environmental education principles.

8. Solid organizational skills. Experience in coordinating and organizing events.

9. Effective communication skills.

10. Proven experience working collaboratively on teams as well as working independently with minimal supervision.

11. Experience working with and managing relationships with multiple external partners.

12. Passion for improving outcomes for all students.

13. Must be a resident of Chicago.

Type of Education Required:

• Bachelor's Degree required.

Type of Experience and Number of Years:

• 2+ years experience in school or other educational setting promoting outdoor education, preferably in an urban school setting.

• Experience working with school based staff, science and service learning organizations preferred. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Is passionate about giving all students access to high quality service learning and science education.

• Is a strong communicator; speaking, listening, and writing.

• Self-motivated and able to self-direct.

• Organized, flexible and able to work in fast-paced environment and handle multiple tasks.

• Demonstrates a sense of urgency in accomplishing goals and objectives.

• Is invested in and committed to being part of a team

Residency Requirement:

As a condition of employment with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS), employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of his or her CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district.