Nature Based Mentor & Camp Counselor

EverWild is seeking nature-based mentors to join our team of child care providers, outdoor enthusiasts, and Forest School educators. We provide camps during the summer and classes during the Forest School Year. All camps and classes take place outdoors in Los Angeles' mountains, canyons and beaches. Training and subbing begins immediately and employment starts in June. Please see our description for further qualifications for ideal candidates.

Summer Camp, June 6th - August 26th 2022:

• Monday - Friday
• 9:30am-3:30pm / 10am-3pm (hours may vary based on the classes scheduled for)

Forest School, Sept - May:

• Monday - Thursday
• 9:30am-3:30pm / 9am-2pm / 10am-2:30pm (hours may vary based on the classes scheduled for)
• Additional .5hrs paid prep/planning per class
• 1hr paid mentor meeting/month

*We are also seeking substitute mentors for all above classes and camps

*Employment is prioritized for mentors based on increased hours of availability

Pay:

• Starting pay $21/hr + DOE

Location:

All programs are entirely outdoors and explore various nature destinations in the local mountains, canyons, and beaches. Our drop-off classes have pre-determined locations that take place in the areas of LA mentioned below. Classes utilizing a van for transportation will meet at a local park and during morning gathering the group will determine where they will spend the day. Mentors will generally work in specific areas based on where they live.

• Topanga/Palisades (Topanga Canyon, Pacific Palisades/Brentwood areas)
• Culver-Westside (Kenneth Hahn, Marina Del Rey areas)
• Santa Clarita Valley (Vasquez Rocks, Whitney Canyon Park, Placerita Canyon, & Van transportation to Santa Monica Mountains & Angeles National Forest)
• Thousand Oaks
• Pasadena/Glendale (Millard Falls, Griffith Park, Arroyo Seco)
• We have 3 areas with classes that utilize a van for transportation. They pick up and drop-off in Venice, Thousand Oaks, and Santa Clarita Valley.

Qualifications- Candidates must have most of the following attributes:

• A background in Nature Based Education, Early Childhood or Elementary Education, a Teaching degree, or 12 Early Childhood Education credits.
• A minimum of 3 years of experience working with children ages 4-13.
• Dedicated to the developmentally appropriate practice and needs of young children.
• Comfortable working outdoors in all weather conditions including but not limited to rain, wind, and sun.
• Comfortable sitting on the ground, swimming in the ocean and creeks, and getting dirty!
• Must be able to swim in the ocean and in creeks.
• Comfortable modeling and handling insects and other small creatures in a safe manner.
• Interest and willingness to further growth in naturalist studies and mentorship/educational practices.
• A nurturing, loving, creative, and positive attitude.
• Observant and communicative with children, co-mentors, and parents.
• A strong team member.

Ideal candidates will also have:

• Forest Kindergarten Training, nature based learning certifications, and experience working in Forest Schools.
• Experience being the primary lead for groups of children ages 4-13 in outdoor environments.
• Familiarity and/or experience with carrying out place-based education, 21st-century skills development, Jon Young's 8 Shield's Institution and Connecting Children to Nature course, ecological literacy, project-based learning, and child-led learning.
• Experience with ancestral and primitive skills and knowledge of local terrain, trails, flora, and fauna.
• Physically fit, able to crouch, dig, climb, hike, and carry up to 1/3rd their body weight.
• Reliable transportation to and from local nature destinations (public transit does not reach all of our locations).
• A working cell phone.
• Ability to pass criminal records check.
• CPR and Pediatric, child and adult First Aid Certified- Must be Red Cross Certified or be equally as reputable such as Institute for Wild Med. EverWild will provide registration for a course if you do not already have an active certification.
• A working gmail account and experience with Google Drive (sheets & docs).
• A Facebook account (to post photos of our days with the children in our private FB group).
• Experience communicating with parents/guardians in person, via phone, and email.

We value mentors who enjoy being positive role models for children, who lead by example with the Earth in mind, and who have a strong desire to engage children with their environment through a hands-on and inquiry-based approach.

EverWild is a nonprofit operating at a grassroots level. Creative, forward-thinking, and motivated individuals will find opportunities to grow and expand their role as they contribute to fulfill our mission and grow our organization.

Employment includes:

• Live Scan Fingerprinting
• CPR/First Aid Certification (as needed)
• Reimbursements for paid parking during class time and program materials permitted for purchase.
• Annual training in EverWild policies and procedures, professional development opportunities, ancestral and primitive skills trainings, and trainings in wilderness awareness core routines.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are actively prioritizing employment opportunities for qualified BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ nature based mentors.

How to apply:

Please email amanda@everwildla.com your resume and include a cover in the body of your email. Your cover letter should describe: 

• your experience working with children in nature
• why you feel it is important to connect children with nature
• your relationship with nature

All considered applicants will be required to attend:

• A phone/Zoom interview with the Program Director
• 1 in-person trial day in nature with children and our Program Director.
• Hired applicants will be required to attend a minimum of 2 paid shadow/training days observing and assisting current nature-based mentors