Environmental Education Coordinator position needed for SAC Mystic Mural program
Heather Balchunas
The Somerville Arts Council seeks a
Mystic Mural Environmental Education Coordinator
Somerville Arts Council (SAC) will be relaunching its Mystic Mural program this summer. The Mystic Mural project not only provides jobs for local teens but is an arts and education program where youth learn about the ecosystem along the Mystic. SAC seeks an environmental education coordinator to help assist with the nature component of the program.
The Environmental Education Coordinator will work with Somerville Arts Council and Mystic Mural project director to coordinate and lead field trips and explorations which focus on the Mystic River and the surrounding areas. This contract work will provide an experiential learning environment for teen-age youth participating in the Mural project. Responsibilities include leading and/or coordinating field trips with other local environmental leaders, focusing eco-themed topics such as flora/fauna, environmental justice, invasive species, water quality, and historical commercial and industry uses of the river.
Seeking applicants who have environmental education experience working with youth. This is a teaching position to support the environmental education component of the summer program. This position will not work directly in the designing or painting the mural. Contract ideal for a teacher or others seeking an enriching, enjoyable, short contract position for July. See attached PDF for full job description.
This position is open until filled; please contact Heather if you have questions
How to apply:
Please send a short email outlining experience and attach a resume with the “Mystic Mural Environmental Ed Coordinator” in the Subject Header
Send to: Heather Balchunas at hbalc...@somervillema.gov
About the Mystic Mural Program
If you’ve ever driven down Mystic Ave., you’ve seen the results of this fantastic summer employment program for teens that combines hands-on environmental education with art.
Since 1997, each year, professional muralist David Fichter and an environmental educator work with organizations, naturalists, and local historians from the surrounding community to develop a curriculum centered on an adventurous exploration of the Mystic River Watershed. Through this exploration a new theme emerges toward the development of new panels each year.
The mural project brings together an international community of youth living in Somerville. Mural participants have come from places such as El Salvador, Nigeria, Haiti, Vietnam, and Brazil. The youth often bring music and food from their country of origin to share while working on the mural.
The mural project generates interest from members of the surrounding community, inspiring them to share historical and environmental information about the river. A few people have written their doctoral thesis on the project.
In 1997, the Mural Project received a national award for excellence from American Rivers Association in river education.
Heather Balchunas
Office Manager/Art Coordinator
Somerville Arts Council
City of Somerville
Mayor Jake Wilson
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