Organization Background: Pickering Creek Audubon Center serves over 16,000 visitors each year. We teach students from nine Maryland counties, and are fully integrated into the Talbot County Public School system. Students have access to classes that run a range from farm and garden through wetland ecology.  Hands-on field experiences provide meaningful outdoor experiences that correlate with student's school curriculum. School programs at Pickering Creek build student's relationship with the Chesapeake Bay and foster academic achievement. In addition to our successful school programming, Pickering Creek offers a wide range of activities for individuals and families. Programs encompass the garden, adventure, wellness, and natural history. Both our school and community programs give the public an opportunity to experience the wonder of nature, and gain a better understanding and appreciation for the land.

CURRENT JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Office Manager
Purpose of the position:
Ensure smooth and efficient office operations by closely monitoring and tracking key financial information and by providing primary administrative support to all areas of Pickering Creek Audubon Center.  The office manager will coordinate their work closely with the national office of Audubon.

Essential Functions:
Accounting and Bookkeeping: Maintain operating expense account with Accounts Payable responsibility.  Must submit reimbursement requests in a timely manner using Quicken software and file monthly bank reconciliation reports. Deposit reimbursements and cash gifts. Process all income received and submit deposits to NAS with appropriate paperwork. Maintain internal revenue tracking program to aid in the development of target lists, to assess project outcomes and future event planning, to capture renewal data and prepare donation receipt reports as requested.  Responsible for every donor receiving the appropriate appreciation correspondence.  Work closely with program officers in tracking grant expenditures. Prepare monthly revenue and expense reports with data from the national accounting system. Report any errors to the national office and follow-up to make sure the issue is resolved. Maintain agreements with and process check requisitions for payment to independent contractors. Review staff expense reports and ensure they are received and submitted for payment in a timely fashion. Coordinate preparation of annual budget by integrating individual program budgets into a master budget, budgeting for operational expenses, and providing information from previous years. Submit annual office budget using the national accounting software. Prepare and submit annual capital budget in consultation with program staff.  Monitor and track annual (capital and operating) budgets on a quarterly basis or more frequently for special projects.  Prepare and submit monthly budget reports.  Prepare financials reports as requested by Director or Finance Committee Chair for Board meetings and other reports as may be required throughout the year.  Maintain knowledge of financial health of the unit at all times to assist staff and director with revised forecasts or reports.

Development: Process gift acknowledgements and maintain database of donors. Update donor records in the national database. Keep records of all donations and any restrictions on certain gifts. Assist with production of grant proposals and reports. Maintain foundation records. Actively participate in annual appeal process.

Office Management: Coordinate maintenance of equipment and office machinery.  Research new green purchases; maintain general office appearance; coordinate general office cleaning and maintenance; assess supply needs and purchase office supplies; maintain inventory of office keys.

Clerical: Primary staff person answering telephone. Answer routine inquiries for information, general natural history, or office program requests (brochures, fact sheets, etc.) or route to the appropriate staff member. Process incoming mail and ensure posting of outgoing mail. Answer correspondence as needed. Process Human Resources paperwork including attendance records, personnel requisitions, job postings, etc.  Provide clerical support, such as filing. Assist staff members with mailings or special projects. Coordinate office schedules. Ensure that there is sufficient postage in the office. Prepare all meeting materials for distribution. 

Communications: Work with team to produce Pickering Creek Audubon Center newsletter (gather articles; obtain photographs; work with editor, designer, and printer) and develop/create other communications tools including brochures, fact sheets, other office publications, and electronic outreach.

Events: Assist with events such as donor cultivation events, fundraisers, workshops, and harvest festival as needed. Produce board awards/certificates.

Additional Functions:
Provide computer and office machine support to staff. Assume other responsibilities as assigned by the Center Director. 

Relationships:
Internal: Report to Center Director; keep Center Director informed of all aspects of the position’s responsibilities and duties. Work with office staff. Work with national office staff, especially in accounting, human resources, and development.  Supervise volunteers and any temporary staff for office projects as directed.

External: Positive and friendly working relationship with general public, vendors, chapter leaders, Audubon members, donors and foundation staff, volunteers, state board members, and colleagues in the conservation community.

Equipment: (e.g., computer, typewriter, calculator, copy machines, telephone, etc.)
Mac and PC operating systems, copy machine, multi-line telephone and voicemail system, fax machine, scanner, all other basic office equipment.

Qualifications: (e.g., education, training, experience, licenses and skills)
Must have in-depth knowledge of computers, including extensive experience with accounting, word-processing, spreadsheet, and database applications, Quicken, Internet and e-mail and the ability to learn new software. Must possess a valid driver’s license. Must be self-motivated, dedicated to accomplishing the task, able to take initiative, troubleshoot and solve problems. Must be people oriented, able to work well with other staff and professionally represent Audubon to the public.  Must be available for occasional weekend or evening events. The preferred candidate will be committed to the Audubon mission of conservation.  A Bachelor’s Degree and three-years of experience in an office setting is desired.

Physical Requirements: (e.g., lifting, reaching, climb, push/pull, etc.)
No special requirements, beyond routine tasks in the office.  Some lifting (such as computers), carrying (such as set ups for meetings and display tables) and reaching (to maintain and organize office). 

To apply please send cover letter, resume, and 3 references to:
Mark Scallion
Center Director
Pickering Creek Audubon Center
11450 Audubon Lane
Easton, MD 21601
mscallion@pickeringcreek.org
Phone: 410-822-4903

Seasonal Positions Positions filled until May 2009
Pickering Creek Audubon Center offers nine month seasonal educator positions (starting in the fall) for college graduates.
DATES OF EMPLOYMENT: Full Time Seasonal, September 9, 2008 - May 29, 2009
POSITION TITLE: Seasonal Educator
NUMBER OF POSITIONS: 4
STIPEND: $225.00 per week plus housing
JOB DESCRIPTION: Pickering Creek Audubon Center is a 400-acre wildlife sanctuary on the Eastern Shore of Maryland situated next to the tidal Pickering Creek in Talbot County, Maryland. The Center’s property features a variety of habitats including mature hardwood forest, fresh and brackish marsh, meadow, tidal and non-tidal wetlands, over a mile of shoreline on a tidal creek, and cropland. Two hundred and seventy acres are devoted to low impact “best management practice” agriculture. The farmed acreage of Pickering Creek is its link to the significant farming heritage of the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Pickering Creek is free and open to the public 365 days a year from sunrise to sunset. On any day, you can enjoy a wonderful stroll through the woods and along the creek, encounter a variety of wildlife, possibly even a Bald Eagle or an endangered Delmarva Fox Squirrel.

• Teach EE school programs on site and in local schools, Pre-K through 12th grade
• Develop, prepare and teach public programs for families, adults and youth
• Prepare program materials
• Animal care of program animals (reptiles and amphibians)
• Work closely with other seasonal educators to plan and implement programs
• Maintenance of buildings and grounds, plus other miscellaneous tasks
• Opportunity to develop and complete an independent project
• Occasional weekend office duty required

QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least one year of experience working with children and adults in an educational setting
• College education with a background in biology, education, environmental education, environmental science or related field
• Enjoy working with others and children of all ages in an outdoor setting
• Be flexible and self-motivated
• Ability to work with minimal supervision
• Professional and friendly manner

To apply please send cover letter, resume, and 3 references to:
Mandy Smith
Education Coordinator
Pickering Creek Audubon Center
11450 Audubon Lane
Easton, MD 21601
mlsmith@pickeringcreek.org
Phone: 410-822-4903

EcoCamp Counselors-POSITIONS FILLED FOR SUMMER 2008
DATES OF EMPLOYMENT: June-August
JOB DESCRIPTION: The camp is for students entering second through sixth grade. A typical camp day runs from 8:00 in the morning until 3:30 in the afternoon. We offer an optional aftercare service until 5:30. Counselors lead a group of 10-12 campers per week. Weekly field trips and guest speakers enhance the overall experience for the campers and counselors.
QUALIFICATIONS: SEE ABOVE. Also: The summer internship is designed for college students who want to gain experience working in the environmental education field. Lifeguard certification helpful.To apply, mail a cover letter, resume and three references to:

Pickering Creek Audubon Center
11450 Audubon Lane
Easton MD  21601-5211