Outdoor Education Instructor

This position encompasses many different aspects of camp life including:

• Leading outdoor education activities   
• Kitchen operation and cleaning 
• Site maintenance  
• Working 5 days a week including some nights and some weekends
• Living in rustic camp buildings
• Living on a rural island where traveling without a car can be challenging
• Being flexible and adapting to last-minute changes
• Working independently on a task to completion

Outdoor Education Instructors facilitate activities and curricula for youth and adults of all ages and backgrounds in the following areas:

• Forest Ecology
• Wildlife Ecology
• Wetlands Ecology
• Marine Ecology
• Nutrient Cycling
• Astronomy
• Initiatives (field game-style team-building activities)
• Low Ropes Course
• Bouldering Wall
• Archery
• Fire Building
• Shelter Building
• Orienteering with Compasses
• Knot Tying
• Guided Hike

Organizational/Site Overview:

Camp Sealth is located on Vashon Island and covers 400 wooded acres, including a mile and a half of saltwater beach on Puget Sound. Camp Sealth has been owned and operated by Camp Fire Central Puget Sound since 1920 and serves public and private schools in the Puget Sound area as well as non-profit organizations. Camp Fire Central Puget Sound offers a variety of co-ed enrichment opportunities that empower youth, staff, and volunteers to discover their sparks, gain confidence, build essential life skills, value the natural world, and be active contributors in their communities. Camp Fire Central Puget Sound is an organization that supports diversity and inclusion. We expect our staff and volunteers to demonstrate respectful interactions with all guests and other staff in all communications and functions as a representative of the organization. We strive to create an environment where each youth and staff member has a sense of belonging, opportunities to share their passions and a place to thrive.

Vashon Island is a rural community accessible only by ferry. There is limited public transit service around the island. The cost of transportation to Camp Sealth is entirely your own responsibility. We can provide a pick-up at the airport, bus, train, or ferry terminals at the beginning and end of your employment. Camp Sealth will also provide transportation for occasional staff recreational activities on break days, but all other transportation to/from Camp Sealth is your own responsibility.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Using Camp Sealth’s curricula, plan and lead educational, engaging, and innovative lessons in outdoor and environmental education for groups of students
• Create and maintain educational materials for use in the Outdoor Education program
• Help facilitate student and teacher orientations, meals, transitional times, and evening activities including campfires, large group games, night hikes, etc
• Help with the maintenance of Outdoor Education program areas, including the marine touch tanks, garden, worm bin, archery range, bouldering wall, low ropes course, and star lab
• Facilitate activities for weekend rental groups
• Food preparation, service, storage, and clean-up under the direction of the Food Service Manager
• Prepare and clean camp facilities (sweeping, mopping, and basic disinfection)
• Assist with additional operational duties as needed (seasonal deep cleaning, installation and removal of floating docks, other basic camp maintenance)

Essential Experience and Qualifications:   

• High school diploma or equivalency
• Experience working in outdoor education, environmental science, recreation, education, or related field  
• Experience working in camp or educational setting with youth  
• Enthusiasm for learning and teaching about the natural world
• Ability and desire to teach, inspire and engage people of all backgrounds and abilities
• Good interpersonal communication skills

• Creativity, energy, motivation, and professionalism
• Flexibility with regard to tasks, work hours, changes in program or plans, etc.
• Ability to work and live comfortably as a part of a small, on-site community and work effectively as a member of a team
• Current First Aid and CPR training (can be obtained and paid for by Camp Sealth after a job offer is made)  
• Washington Food Handler’s Permit (can be obtained and paid for by Camp Sealth after a job offer is made)  

Desired Experience & Qualifications:

• Degree or some college education in environmental science, biology, recreation, education, or a related field
• Experience with any of the Outdoor Education program areas
• Lifeguard certification and/or lifeguarding experience
• Wilderness First Aid/Wilderness First Responder certification

Apply at: https://campfireseattle.org/job/outdoor-education-instructor/