Description
Job Overview: KAEE is seeking an enthusiastic individual 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 Spanish Language Immersion Educator (SLIE) will work closely with the Environmental Education Manger, the Curriculum Assessment Specialist and other educators 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 planning are the focal topics for the program.
The SLIE will work to translate existing materials into Spanish, making them both grammatically correct and culturally relevant. They will be involved in direct outreach to students and with priority given to FCPS schools with a Spanish Language Immersion program. 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 offices 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.
Summary of Essential Job Functions:
- School-based Environmental Education: prepare and lead lessons in both English and Spanish as a part of the units of study; adapt lessons to be more culturally relatable and relevant as needed
- 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, in both Spanish and English
- Out of School Time (OST): work with the OST Coordinator to prepare and lead OST activities, particularly for settings focused on Spanish-language speakers/learners; work with OST Coordinator to develop dual-language OST programming; work with OST Coordinator to adapt lessons to be more culturally relatable and relevant
- Translation and Interpretation: translate appropriate environmental education materials into Spanish; provide translation and interpretation services in support of other outreach efforts
- 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: assist with 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
- Tabling and events: staff as needed
Pay: Equivalent to an LFUCG 518 grade with a base pay of $50,970.40 with adjustments made for experience and skill beyond the minimum. Pay would be adjusted for work schedules less than 40 hours per week. Maximum potential starting pay is $63,712.48
Compensation and Benefits: Fulltime position working 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, and 6 paid regular holidays and 3 paid floating holidays per year. KAEE observes a paid office shut down between December 24th through January 1st. Additional benefits include subsidized health insurance and a SIMPLE IRA retirement plan with a 3% match. Professional development opportunities are highly encouraged and 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 (in both English and Spanish) explaining your interest and understanding of the position and resume (in both English and Spanish) with related experience including 3 references (a maximum of 1 personal reference) to Danny Woolums, dwoolums@lexingtonky.gov. The position will close on July 17, 2026.
KAEE is an equal opportunity employer.
Requirements
Required Qualifications:
- Spanish and English fluency: provide two resumes, one in English and one in Spanish; interviews will be conducted in both English and Spanish
- Bachelor’s degree OR 5 years of environmental education experience OR 3 years of environmental education experience and an environmental education certificate
- 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
Desired Qualifications:
- Teaching credentials, either formal or non-formal (e.g., certified Environmental Educator)
- Strong understanding of educational standards, curriculum development and assessment
- Demonstrated understanding of sustainability, stormwater, waste management and/or planning issues
- Experience teaching K- 12 grades in a formal setting
- Experience with culturally responsive pedagogy and trauma-informed teaching
- Demonstrated commitment to cultivating diversity and 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
