Field Instructor

Cal-Wood Education Center is seeking cheerful and adaptable applicants for an exciting and rewarding field instructor position. Instructors are responsible for providing a fun and educational experience for a learning group made up of 10-15 students, leading outdoor recreation and teaching environmental science lessons. We offer 2-4 day programs for grades 3-8th.

Position runs August 7, 2023, through June 1, 2024, with the possibility to extend for the summer and additional seasons. Summer and winter responsibilities vary and may include serving as counselor for summer camps or family camps, facilitating outdoor recreation such as fishing, archery, snowshoeing and hiking with diverse groups, and helping to maintain trails, facilities, educational materials and gear room. There may be the opportunity to take unpaid time off in the winter (mid December through mid February) and summer (June-July) depending on program schedules.  We pay a monthly salary and provide shared housing with a private room in Jamestown, CO (no pets allowed). 

Our field instructors enjoy working in our beautiful 1,200-acre outdoor classroom with a team of other motivated individuals passionate about the outdoors, natural science, and education. We provide access to dynamic, hands-on science education in the field to students from all different backgrounds. 

Responsibilities:

Lead a learning group made up of 10-15 students during each school’s visit. Typical programs run 2-4 days with 4th – 6th graders.

Spend 4-8 hours/day, 3-5 days/week, leading programs outside in all seasons in the mountains of Colorado. 

Design, teach, and evaluate environmental education programs in accordance with local curriculum standards. 

Incorporate science, math, history, creative writing, art and team building into programs as requested by school. 

Lead large group games, songs, skits, storytelling and campfires to ensure a positive, fun atmosphere for kids. 

Facilitate 1-2 meals (breakfasts and/or dinners) and 1-2 night programs (typically a night hike or campfire) each week. 

Assist with cleaning and maintenance of program staff commons area, educational materials, gear room, and staff office/lounge. 

Help the team keep Cal-Wood safe, comfortable and welcoming by setting up shade canopies, delivering water to groups in the field, building fires in the lodge and warming huts, shoveling snow,  etc. 

Occasional projects in the field to help with forest fire mitigation, forest restoration and trail maintenance. 

Note: Instructors do not sleep in cabins with students during school programs. 

Qualities and Qualifications:

High level of personal motivation for continued learning, personal responsibility for positive attitude and flexibility are necessary to meet the demands of a dynamic residential work schedule.

Bachelor’s Degree in science, natural resource management, education, outdoor education, or other related field.

One or more years of teaching experience.

Work and live with a small team of other motivated and passionate staff to support operations of a small non-profit organization. Instructional staff is about 10-15 people. 

Happy to live in small mountain town, 30 minutes from Boulder, CO. You will thrive here if you have independent hobbies and love the outdoors. 

Ability to pass background checks.

Ability to hike 1-4 miles daily, lift heavy objects, and maintain a positive attitude outdoors in all weather conditions. 

First Aid/CPR knowledge or willingness to get certified required. Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certifications a plus.

Spanish ability is highly desired, but not mandatory.

Apply here: https://calwood.bamboohr.com/careers/45