About Us

Nature Center, Environmental Education Center, and Biological Field Station

Pierce Cedar Creek Institute is a nature center, environmental education center and biological field station located on 850 acres with ten miles of hiking trails. It is almost 10 miles south of Hastings, Michigan. The Institute’s mission is to inspire appreciation and stewardship of our environment. Visitors will experience the beauty of wetlands, forests, marshes, streams, lakes, and prairies on the property. The hiking trails are open daily dawn to dusk with experiences such as the Storybook walk on the Black Walnut Trail, the Play Space for children, the Vistor Center features the Nature Nook, a special space for children and their families, as well as the terrace, which extends from the Visitor Center south side parking lot around the back of the building. There are many opportunities to relax, meet with family and friends, and enjoy the beauty of nature.

History of Pierce Cedar Creek Institute

In 1988, Bill and Jessie Pierce formed The Willard G. Pierce and Jessie M. Pierce Foundation as a way to give back to the community that meant so much to them. The Pierces passed away in 1998, but prior to their deaths, the idea of building an environmental education center was conceived while visiting a friends' home and enjoying the natural beauty of Barry County. Read more about the Pierce legacy here.

Property

Geologically, the landscape at Pierce Cedar Creek Institute was fashioned by the melting of the Saginaw Lobe ice sheet. Parts of the property lie in a glacial tunnel valley, an area where large volumes of melt water flowed underneath the glacier. Cedar Creek, Brewster Lake, and the esker that runs north to south on the property all lie within the valley. Virtually the entire watershed of Brewster Lake, a pristine lake notable for its lack of non-native aquatic plants and fish species, lies within Pierce Cedar Creek Institute's property.  

Job Openings

Housekeeping
Part-Time- 32 hours a week
Generally, Monday- Friday 
Pay: $15 an hour

BROAD FUNCTION:  Housekeeping staff, under the direction of the Facilities Manager, is responsible for maintaining the cleanliness and neatness of all Pierce Cedar Creek Institute buildings and housing units.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS: 

• Strong cleaning skills and attention to detail

• Ability to work with a variety of people and to be flexible

• Ability to physically and mentally complete tasks assigned

• Dependable and possesses a strong work ethic

• Follows directions accurately and with little supervision

• Completes all assigned tasks in a timely manner

TO APPLY:
Email your resume and a brief explanation of your interest in the job to;
HR & Hospitality Manager, Tracy Noorman
tnoorman@cedarcreekinstitute.org

 

Stewardship Coordinator

Job Description:
The Stewardship Coordinator works under the guidance of the Stewardship Manager to promote and protect biodiversity of the Institute’s natural communities while supporting safe and accessible trail use by the public. The Stewardship Coordinator will assist with the development and implementation of land management plans, programs, and practices necessary to preserve and enhance the Institute’s natural areas into the future.

Learn more here.

Compensation:
This is an hourly part-time position with an average of 36 hours per week with a starting pay of $20.00 per hour. EOE.

Applicants should email a cover letter, resume, and list of references to Mary Parr, Stewardship Manager mparr@cedarcreekinstitute.org 

Kitchen Assistant
Part-Time- 25 hours a week
Generally, Monday- Friday - Weekends and Nights as needed
Pay: $16 an hour

BROAD FUNCTION:  The Kitchen Assistant works closely with the Chef and Assistant Chef to produce quality meals for events of the Institute. The Kitchen Assistant performs all food service duties such as food preparation, cooking, serving, and general cleaning/sanitation.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS: 

• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including some weekends and evenings.
• Two years of experience cooking in the food service industry.
• Is SERV Safe certified (or able to complete certification) and knowledgeable of local and state health department rules and regulations.
• Ability to follow, increase, or decrease a recipe.

• Strong attention to detail
• Ability to work with a variety of people and to be flexible
• Dependable and possesses a strong work ethic
• Follows directions accurately and with little supervision
• Completes all assigned tasks in a timely manner

TO APPLY:
Email your resume and a brief explanation of your interest in the job to;
HR & Hospitality Manager, Tracy Noorman
tnoorman@cedarcreekinstitute.org