Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest is growing and we’re currently looking to hire a Play Environments Manager. We ask that all interested individuals apply for this role by emailing a resume to HR@bernheim.org.
Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest, a 16,000+ acre protected forest in Kentucky, about 25 miles south of Louisville, is seeking a dynamic individual with an ability to think strategically while working in a highly creative and collaborative environment across a multidisciplinary organization.
Bernheim is home to a 600-acre arboretum, designated as Kentucky’s official arboretum. The natural landscape features 40+ miles of hiking trails and extensive natural areas managed for conservation and research purposes. Its woodlands, prairies, and wetlands make up the largest privately-owned forest in the Eastern United States dedicated to education and conservation. Bernheim is a privately owned not for-profit, relying on donations and memberships, whose mission is to connect people with nature. Annually, over 350,000 people experience Bernheim through visits, educational programs, field trips, and Bernheim festivals.
The Play Environments Manager (PEM) works within the context of Bernheim’s Children at Play Network (CAPN) to ensure that natural play environments at Bernheim provide visitors with exceptional play experiences that connect people with nature. The PEM leverages unique aspects of Playcosystem as a tool for outreach, research, and design inspiration for the region. As part of Bernheim’s CAPN this position focuses broadly within the region to advocate for free play outdoors so that every child has a place in nature where they feel free, safe, healthy, empowered, and joyful.
Essential Duties/Responsibilities:
• Serve as the in-house design support representative for all play area needs. • Supports projects that require design and drawings for fundraising, budget estimations and communication with outside contractors.
• Impart knowledge to supply training to other team members and volunteers in use of design software packages.
• Assists in meetings with outside groups visiting Playcosystem (prospective clients). • Serve as lead on communications with prospective and contracted playground design clients.
• Seeks to expand client base as appropriate (bi-annual review of prospects and contacts). • Directs projects to provide prompt completion of deliverables, including the CAPN approved playground project program.
• Interface with Education Department on optimizing Playcosystem as an educational tool. • Oversee the safety plan and provide regular inspections of all Bernheim play environments. • Documents all incidents in play areas, and tracks trends in play that may become safety hazards.
• Develops a Playcosystem volunteer program in cooperation with the Bernheim Volunteer Coordinator.
• Provide training to and oversee group volunteer efforts, as they relate to play environments. • Assists in the management of interns, capstone projects, as well as the Bernheim Ambassador.
• Provides guidance during research efforts by outside parties.
• Collaborate on programming and projects with internal and external teams.
• Administer social media and communications contributions as they relate to Play areas, including contributing or sourcing photos and blogs for Bernheim Playcosystem page and CAPN website.
• Work outside in all seasons and weather conditions, often in rough terrain. • Possess excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills.
• Other duties as assigned, including participation in events and all-staff projects.
Education and Experience
• Undergraduate degree in Education, Early Childhood Education, Child Psychology, or a related field and/or considerable work experience in early learning environments.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of play-based pedagogies especially focused on outdoor or nature play environments.
• Design experience related to natural playgrounds including a firm working knowledge of safety regulations as they apply to natural play environments.
• A demonstrated knowledge of best practice accessibility requirements for outdoor landscapes.
• Experience with computer assisted design software such as AutoCAD, Revit or other design software packages preferred.
• Project management experience preferred.
• Experience managing grants preferred.
To apply and for more information
Please send all inquiries and resumes to: HR@bernheim.org.
This full-time, salaried position reports to Facilitator of Outreach and Regenerative Design. Pay range: $50,000 - $55,000 annually. Competitive benefits package includes health/vision/dental insurance, retirement 403b match benefit, and paid sick, holiday, and vacation leave.
Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, color, national origin, creed, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, disability, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.
