Spring Outdoor Education Instructor

The Spring Program Instructor is responsible for teaching the wide variety of curricula options offered by Keystone Science School. Spring Program Instructors will lead groups of students in outdoor education programs including environmental science and community building curriculum. The majority of classes are taught in the field in various wilderness spaces located around Summit County. Program Instructors are responsible for lesson planning and organizing curriculum for each program. They are also responsible for the facilitation of meals, evening programs, and the completion of manual labor tasks on a rotating basis.  Programs are age-specific, 1-5 day sessions that serve schools from all over the State of Colorado.  

This role is perfect for the emerging or well seasoned outdoor educator and offers a unique mix of science and interpersonal facilitation in the some incredible and breathtaking areas of Colorado!  There are also various summer employment opportunities for Spring Instructors that can be discussed upon employment!

Contract dates for this position are April 10th-May 19th

Main areas of focus:

• 60% Teaching

• 25% Support staff duties (e.g. facilitation of meals, evening programs, and completion of manual labor tasks)

• 15% Lesson planning and curriculum organization

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Supervise and teach a group of up to 13 K-12 students on their own

• Plan, prepare, and teach grade appropriate environmental education curricula

• Facilitate team building, leadership, and social emotional learning activities

• Program facilitation includes ‘support staff’ duties such as teaching evening programs, campus cleaning, meal set-up and clean-up and on-call responsibilities

• Supervise and maintain high standards of health and safety, and follow Risk Management policies in all activities

• Attend and help facilitate all staff meetings and trainings as assigned

• Facilitate and provide support for a wide variety of KSS programs and activities

• Drive a 15-passenger van and successfully complete Van Driver Training

• Abide by and uphold the policies and procedures set forth by KSS

• Other duties as assigned

Compensation:

Salary base rate is $720 per week and $792 per week for Spanish speakers plus:

• Breaks between spring, summer, and fall sessions.

• Up to 48 paid sick hours accrued;

• Access to outdoor industry pro deals.

Accommodations

Housing is provided at no additional cost. Seasonal Program Instructors are required to live on campus. A housing deposit may be collected and food will be provided.

Travel Expectations

In many situations, KSS will provide transportation to satellite programming locations. However, staff may be asked to use personal vehicles to travel within Summit County. Any travel mileage in a personal vehicle outside of Summit County may be reimbursed.

Physical Demands of this Position

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands and fingers to feel, handle, or hold objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk and hear. The employee often stands for up to 16 hours per day, but may be required to stand longer in emergency situations. The employee must be able to lift and carry at least 40 pounds for an extended duration. The employee is frequently required to travel for extended periods over rugged terrain. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This position requires the employee to work in close contact with their teammates and children. Staff will be expected to adhere to dynamic health guidance and policy set forth by KSS while working with children during a global pandemic. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, but varies seasonally due to programs and staffing on campus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee often works outside and drives vehicles in various weather conditions.

Ready to find yourself at the heart of Science. Adventure. Fun? Apply now!

Please submit an application on KeystoneScienceSchool.org/Employment. All applications will require a cover letter, resume, and 3 references. Applications will be accepted until all positions are filled. For more information, please contact the Human Resources department at HR@KeystoneScienceSchool.org.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Keystone Science School is committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a wide variety of backgrounds. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type, without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, religion, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities – Minimum Requirements

• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including days, nights, and weekends

• Have an interest in, respect for, and ability to work with children and people with diverse backgrounds

• Ability to create an inclusive learning environment for students from a wide range of backgrounds

• Proven ability to creatively develop science and education curricula and lesson plans

• Ability to adapt instruction and lessons to meet a wide variety of learners using different educational methods

• Experience with risk management practices of the outdoor and environmental education industry

• Ability to be creative, adaptable, and flexible while managing children in a variety of situations

• Strong work ethic and will work until the job is complete

• Motivation to contribute positively to the KSS at-large community

• Multi-task efficiently while managing a high-volume workload in a fast-paced, changing environment

• Superior customer service skills, with the ability to be creative and think 'outside the box'

• Ability to work in a busy environment with many distractions

Required Education, Experience, and Certifications

• Bachelor's or Associate's degree

• Minimum of 6 months of experience teaching students in an outdoor or classroom setting

• Current Wilderness First Aid (WFA) and CPR certifications minimum

• Current Wilderness First Responder (WFR) required for Summer Adventure programs

• Age 21+ with a minimum of 5 years driving experience, excellent driving record, and a valid driver's license

• Must be able to successfully pass a comprehensive background check

Preferred Skills

• Ability to communicate verbally and teach in Spanish

• Wilderness First Responder Certification

• Bachelor’s or higher degree in a related field such recreation, education, or a subject in the human services field

• Proficiency with Google Drive and CampSite camp management software

• Previous employment experience at Keystone Science School

Required COVID 19 Vaccine Policy

Keystone Science School has adopted a mandatory COVID-19 vaccine policy. Individuals hired after January 1, 2022 are required to be either fully vaccinated or partially vaccinated before their start dates. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in the revocation of the employment offer.

Employees in need of an exemption from this policy due to a medical reason, or because of a sincerely held religious belief must submit a completed Request for Accommodation form to the Human Resources Department to begin the accommodation process. Accommodations will be granted where they do not cause KSS undue hardship or pose a direct threat to the health and safety of others.