(Temporary)Project EXPLORE Specialist

Inspire Curiosity, Spark Discovery, and Take Learning Outside the Classroom! Are you passionate about environmental education and love the idea of turning schoolyards into living classrooms? Join The North Carolina Arboretum's Youth Education team as a Project EXPLORE Specialist and help ignite a love for science and nature in students across western North Carolina. Through Project EXPLORE, you'll bring hands-on, outdoor learning experiences to life-empowering teachers and students to engage deeply with the natural world right outside their doors.

This position is considered temporary employment under State of North Carolina rules. The Specialist will generally work up to 40 hours each week, from approximately 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, with up to two Saturday's a month occasionally. The pay is $18 per hour.

The Project EXPLORE Specialist implements environmental education programs for The North Carolina Arboretum's Youth Education Department with a primary focus on delivering Project EXPLORE. This position will report to the Project EXPLORE Coordinator and plays a key role in communication with teachers, supporting program logistics, and providing high-quality outdoor education.

Project EXPLORE (Experiences Promoting Learning Outdoors for Research and Education) is a school-based initiative that supports teachers in using outdoor spaces at their school as dynamic learning spaces to engage preK-12th grade students in curriculum based learning activities. This position involves traveling to school sties across western North Carolina and the Qualla Boundary to lead engaging, hands-on, and project based community science programs in the schoolyard with teachers and their students. Learn more here: https://www.ncprojectexplore.org/

Typical Tasks:

Outreach Education Planning and Delivery

• Planning and leading outdoor, curriculum-aligned science programs on school campuses.
• Supporting students and teachers in schoolyard-based inquiry, nature exploration, curriculum support and community science projects.
• Coordinate directly with participating teachers via email and the Project EXPLORE online platform.
• Gather and share feedback from participants to support program evaluation, impact, reports and improvement.
• Help maintain program materials and assist with administrative logistics as needed.

• Discover Camps: Plan and lead the Arboretum's summer camp programming for grades Pre-K through 8 focused on outdoor education.
• Events: support and lead activities at Arboretum events, community events, and other outreach opportunities.
• Customer Service at the Education Center Desk: Serve periodically as a front-line customer service representative at the Education Center Information Desk, including occasional on-call weekend shifts.
• Other Job Tasks: Assist other team members and departments in their responsibilities when help is needed.
  Support the other outreach programs (Project PEACE and ecoEXPLORE) with programming when time allows.

Animal Care

• Assist with the daily care, cleaning, and feeding of the Youth Education's captive animal collection.

Physical Requirements:

This position requires long hours of leading education programs outdoors in all seasons and a variety of weather conditions, including high temperatures, rain, snow and wind. The candidate must be comfortable walking on uneven terrains, often carrying a backpack with program equipment weighing up to 50 pounds and standing for extended periods of time while actively engaging youth in hands-on learning. The working environment often involves high levels of noise and crowded areas. While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to walk, stand, and occasionally stoop, kneel, or crouch. The candidate must be willing and able to travel long distances to schools across western North Carolina and the Qualla Boundary to deliver programming mileage reimbursement and a state vehicle is available.

Primary Purpose of the Organizational Unit
The Youth Education program serves over 70,000 students through hands-on, outdoor lessons incorporating STEM education, recreation and outdoor exploration including field trips, student outreach, family programs and summer day camps.

Minimum Education, Experience, and Skills
Any combination of education or experience equaling a degree in environmental studies, outdoor education, biology, ecology or a related field. Enrollment in or completion of the North Carolina Environmental Education Certification program is preferred. Experience in environmental education, community outreach, community science and/or curriculum-based programming is strongly desired, as is familiarity with working in school environments. Possession of a valid driver's license; Applicants being considered must complete a background check.

Candidates should demonstrate a strong understanding of environmental education principles and be able to confidently lead outdoor, inquiry-based programs that align with school curricula and state standards. A strong working knowledge of local flora and fauna of the Southern Appalachian region is strongly desired. The ideal candidate will have experience working with youth in an outdoor setting and will possess excellent leadership, communication, and customer service skills. Ability to work unsupervised and to display flexibility in an ever-changing environment is required. Experience with community outreach, community science programs (particularly Nature's Notebook, eBird, and iNaturalist), managing administrative tasks, and project implementation is preferred. The ideal candidate will have experience working on large projects from start to finish independently and will have great attention to detail. This position requires that candidates are committed to ensuring student safety and program quality while also representing the Arboretum professionally at all times when engaging with the public and school partners. The candidate also must contribute to a collaborative team environment. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the Arboretum's website prior to interview and be prepared for a skills assessment.

• Classification: (Temporary) Project EXPLORE Specialist
• Position Number: UNCSO-ATNCA5
• Appointment Type: Temporary
• Full-Time/Part-Time: Part-Time
• Location: 100 Fredrick Law Olmsted Way, Asheville, NC 28806 USA
• Posting Open Date: 12/8/2025
• Posting Close Date: 1/5/2026
• Posting Number: req653

EEO
The UNC System Office (includes PBS NC, NCSEAA, and NC Arboretum) is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.

The UNC System Office (includes PBS NC, NCSEAA, and NC Arboretum) is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

To claim veteran's preference, all eligible persons shall submit a DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, along with a State Application for Employment (Form PD-107 or equivalent) to the appointing authority.

The UNC System Office (includes PBS NC, NCSEAA, and NC Arboretum) participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

EEO Contact Information
Applicants needing assistance with the application process are asked to contact: ophiring@northcarolina.edu