Description
Job Overview and Requirements: KAEE is seeking an enthusiastic individual with a passion for our mission to work with the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (LFUCG) Department of Environmental Quality and Public Works (EQPW) on their K-12 environmental education program.
The Environmental Educator will work closely with the Environmental Education Program Manger to develop, implement, and assess a robust, engaging K-12 outreach program in Lexington-Fayette County. Waste management, water quality (stormwater and sanitary sewers), sustainability and transportation are the focal topics for the program. The educator will be involved in direct outreach to students and will be the lead facilitator for many program-related field trips and teacher professional development. The selected applicant will have professional development opportunities, along with the ability to network with professionals throughout the service area and state of Kentucky.
The position will be based in the EQPW office in Lexington, KY. If you would like to have a significant impact and work with an amazing team, we encourage you to apply! Learn more about the work we do at LexingtonKy.gov/EE
For any questions about place, policies, and/or position, please contact Danny Woolums to schedule an informal phone conversation prior to application.
Note: Only one environmental educator is being hired at this time but can be hired as either a Grade 1 or Grade 2 position depending on their level of experience. All applicants will be entered into the same pool, though applicants should state in their cover letter which level they believe they qualify for. Please note differences in responsibilities, qualifications and pay scale for the different Grades.
Compensation and Benefits: Full-time position working up to 40 hours per week. We believe in work-life balance and a flexible, family-friendly schedule and therefore offer compensatory time up to 120 hours for additional hours worked for exempt staff, 15 days of vacation time, 12 days of sick leave, 6 paid regular holidays and 3 paid floating holidays per year. KAEE observes a paid office shutdown between December 24th through January 1st. This position is exempt. Additional benefits include subsidized health insurance and a SIMPLE IRA retirement plan with a 3% match. Professional development opportunities are highly encouraged; staff are eligible to attend national conferences after one (1) year of employment. Benefits begin accruing immediately. Position is at-will and subject to a 90-day probationary period.
To Apply: Please send a cover letter and resume with related experience along with three (3) references (a maximum of 1 personal reference) to Danny Woolums. The position will close on January 26, 2026.
Zoom interviews available upon request.
KAEE is an equal opportunity employer.
Requirements
Environmental Educator Position (Grade 1) Description
Summary of Essential Job Functions:
School-based Environmental Education: prepare and lead lessons as a part of the units of study in classroom setting, with a focus on elementary and middle school education; may assist Environmental Education Program Manager and Environmental Educator (Grade 2) with developing units for classroom use
Field Trips: facilitate field trips to sites such as the Recycle Center, Haley Pike Waste Management Facility (capped landfill and compost pad), Town Branch Wastewater Treatment Plant, West Hickman Wastewater Treatment Plant, watershed sampling sites and other appropriate sites as they are identified
OST: prepare and lead activities related to the Out of School Time program – both afterschool and summer
Workforce Development: connect K-12 units to careers, especially careers related to city jobs; work with the Workforce Development Coordinator on career panels, career days and similar opportunities
School & Teacher Support: assist with school events such as STEM nights; conduct school/classroom waste audits and offer guidance on addressing problems; support after school clubs related to contract objectives (e.g., Green Team, Recycle Club)
Teacher Training: provide assistance with teacher professional development opportunities as needed
Some evening and weekend work is required
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree OR 5 years of environmental education experience OR 3 years of environmental education experience and an environmental education certificate recognized by the North American Association for Environmental Education or similarly credentialed
Self-directed team player who gets things done
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects concurrently
Ability to work and effectively communicate with a wide range of people including staff (administrative and operational), teachers, community partners, students, volunteers and elected officials
Dedication to equity in education
Knowledge of culturally relevant teaching strategies
Ability to work outdoors and complete physically demanding tasks
Comfortable with standard software and programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook as well as Google Drive, Dropbox
Ability to work some evenings, weekends and holidays to meet work objectives
Willingness to undergo a background check
A valid driver’s license and reliable access to a vehicle (educators are responsible for getting to/from lessons and programs); mileage is reimbursed according to the KY state mileage rate
Desired Qualifications
Demonstrated understanding of sustainability, sanitary sewer systems, stormwater, waste management and/or transportation
Experience teaching K-12 grades in a formal setting
Teaching credentials, either formal or non-formal (e.g., certified Environmental Educator)
Experience with culturally responsive pedagogy and trauma-informed teaching
Demonstrated commitment to cultivating equity in environmental education and to enacting best practices in youth education and development
High level of comfort riding a bicycle within an urban setting
Pay: $ 41,934.88, adjustments made for experience and skill beyond the minimum
Equivalent to an LFUCG 514 grade
Pay would be adjusted for work schedules less than 40 hours per week
Maximum potential starting pay is $52,418.08 (mid-range)
Environmental Educator Position (Grade 2) Description
Summary of Essential Job Functions:
School-based Environmental Education: assist in developing educational units for classroom use; prepare and lead lessons and field trips as a part of the units of study in classroom settings; assess lessons and units at both the teacher and student level
Field Trips: facilitate field trips to sites such as the Recycle Center, Haley Pike Waste Management Facility (capped landfill and compost pad), Town Branch Wastewater Treatment Plant, West Hickman Wastewater Treatment Plant, watershed sampling sites and other appropriate sites as they are identified
OST: assist with the development of the Out of School Time curriculum; prepare and lead OST activities – both afterschool and summer
Workforce Development: connect thematic units to careers, especially careers related to city jobs; work with the Workforce Development Coordinator on career days and similar opportunities.
School & Teacher Support: assist with school events such as STEM nights; conduct school/classroom waste audits and offer guidance on addressing problems; support after school clubs related to contract objectives (e.g., Green Team, Recycle Club)
Teacher Training: (co)lead the Teachers’ Environmental Academy, a week-long program aimed to equip classroom teachers with the knowledge and materials to teach about EQPW-related topics in their classrooms; recruit new TEA participants; assist with ongoing engagement of TEA alumni; conduct other PD for teachers based on program priorities
Some evening and weekend work is required
Required Qualifications
Teaching credentials, either formal or non-formal (e.g., North American Association for Environmental Education recognized Environmental Educator certification or similarly credentialed)
Bachelor’s degree AND five years teaching experience OR a master’s degree in a related field plus three years of environmental education experience OR a PhD
Minimum 5 years of formal or non-formal teaching experience (in addition to any years used to meet the criteria above); must be identifiable in supplied resume
Strong understanding of educational standards, curriculum development and assessment
Self-directed team player who gets things done
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects concurrently
Ability to work and effectively communicate with a wide range of people including staff (administrative and operational), teachers, community partners, students, volunteers and elected officials
Dedication to equity in education
Knowledge of culturally relevant teaching strategies
Ability to work outdoors and complete physically demanding tasks
Comfortable with standard software and programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook as well as Google Drive, Dropbox
Ability to work some evenings, weekends and holidays to meet work objectives
Willingness to undergo a background check
A valid driver’s license and reliable access to a vehicle (educators are responsible for getting to/from lessons and programs); mileage is reimbursed according to the KY state mileage rate
Desired Qualifications
Demonstrated understanding of sustainability, sanitary sewer systems, stormwater, waste management and/or transportation
Experience teaching K-12 grades in a formal setting
Experience with culturally responsive pedagogy and trauma-informed teaching
Demonstrated commitment to cultivating equity in environmental education and to enacting best practices in youth education and development
High level of comfort riding a bicycle within an urban setting
Pay: $50,970.40, adjustments made for experience and skill beyond the minimum
Equivalent to an LFUCG 518 grade
Pay would be adjusted for work schedules less than 40 hours per week
Maximum potential starting pay is $62,772.32 (mid-range)
