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Job Opportunity

Birds in My Neighborhood Program Facilitator

Windy City Bird Lab (Fiscally sponsored by Illinois Audubon Society)
Chicago, IL
Part-time, program-based

Schedule & Compensation

  • Schedule: 3 days per week, ~6 hours per day
  • Term: February 14 – June 7 (approximately 3.5 months)
  • Pay: $30 per hour

This is a temporary, part-time, contract-based position tied to the Spring 2026 BIMN program and does not include employee benefits. Weekly schedules may vary based on school calendars and program needs.

Position Overview

Windy City Bird Lab is seeking a Facilitator to support delivery of the Birds in My Neighborhood (BIMN) education program across 11 Chicago-area elementary schools during the Spring 2026 season. This role supports hands-on, bird-focused learning experiences for 2nd–5th grade students through classroom visits, schoolyard bird walks, and field trips.

The Facilitator will work directly with students, teachers, and volunteers and will help ensure that program activities are engaging, well coordinated, and responsive to each school community. This position is well-suited for an educator, community facilitator, or informal science educator who is comfortable working in school settings, enjoys youth engagement, and can reliably travel to multiple school sites across the city.

During school visits, the Facilitator serves as a point of support for BIMN volunteers and educators. This includes helping activities run smoothly, supporting student learning experiences, and learning from volunteers’ established practices and relationships with school communities. The Facilitator is not expected to replace or supervise volunteers, but rather to support, observe, and strengthen the program as it is delivered across schools.

The Facilitator will report to the Birds in My Neighborhood Program Director and will also work closely with the Executive Director and BIMN volunteers throughout the program term.

Job Responsibilities

  • Facilitate in-class learning activities and outdoor bird walks with 2nd–5th-grade students
  • Support hands-on programming connected to birds and local ecology
  • Work directly with students, teachers, and volunteers during program activities
  • Assist with day-of logistics, setup, and coordination at school sites
  • Help maintain a safe, inclusive, and engaging learning environment
  • Collaborate closely with the Program Director, volunteers, and other program staff

School Sites & Travel Expectations

This role requires reliable travel to all participating school sites throughout the program term. Applicants should apply only if they are able to commit to traveling to each school listed below.

Participating Schools (Spring 2026):

  • Burroughs Elementary – South Lawndale / Little Village
  • Murphy Elementary – Avondale
  • Hanson Park Elementary – Belmont Cragin
  • Wadsworth Elementary – Woodlawn
  • Alex Haley Academy – Roseland
  • Greene Elementary – McKinley Park
  • Monarcas Dual Language – Chicago Lawn
  • Peck Elementary – Chicago Lawn
  • Hayt Elementary – Edgewater
  • Courtenay Elementary (tentative) – Uptown
  • Beidler Elementary – Near West Side

Facilitators must have access to a car or other reliable transportation and be able to travel between school sites across Chicago.

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For a map of participating schools, see HERE.

Program Feedback & Learning

The Facilitator will provide feedback to Windy City Bird Lab staff on:

  • Program activities and learning outcomes
  • Volunteer experience and support needs
  • Site-specific observations and challenges

This feedback will inform ongoing improvements and future iterations of the program

Required & Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience working with 2nd–5th grade students in school or youth-serving environments
  • Background in environmental education, informal science education, outdoor education, or community-based programs
  • Strong facilitation and communication skills
  • Conversational Spanish to support bilingual classrooms and school communities
  • Reliable, organized, and comfortable following set schedules
  • Interest in birds, nature, or conservation (prior bird knowledge is helpful but not required. Training will be provided)
  • Comfort working both indoors and outdoors in school settings that may involve standing or walking for extended periods.
  • Comfort engaging with students, educators, and volunteers across diverse school communities.

CPS Requirements

This role requires becoming a CPS Level II Volunteer, as the Facilitator will be working directly with students in Chicago Public Schools. Windy City Bird Lab will provide guidance and support through the CPS volunteer onboarding process.

How to Apply

Email: bimn@windycitybirdlab.org (resume required, cover letter recommended)

Windy City Bird Lab is committed to creating inclusive learning environments and encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply.