Environmental Educator

POSITION OVERVIEW 

Oxbow Education (“OxEd”) provides year-round farm-based agriculture and environmental education programming for kids aged 4 to 18 (and beyond) based out of our Organic Farm and Conservation Center located on the banks of the Snoqualmie River near Carnation, Washington (~25 miles east of Seattle). We are seeking an Environmental Educator to join our team to facilitate education program delivery during the  program season (January through November), as well as support our summer camp program, support the development of educational programming and facilitate activities for special events. This position would be a great fit for an energetic person with experience in outdoor education or children’s programming, a commitment to social, environmental and food justice, and a love of gardening and connecting children and families to their food through farm-based environmental education experiences.

POSITION DETAILS 

The Environmental Educator position is year-round, Full-Time (40 hours per week). The preferred starting date for this position is September 9th, 2024. While all members of the Education team facilitate programming, the Environmental Educator will be the primary and most frequent facilitator of on-farm and off-site Education programs. The work schedule will be primarily Monday-Friday with occasional evening and weekend work, and some off-site work at our partner schools and organizational events. The majority of work will be on-site at the farm (or otherwise in-person), with the option of remote work during the winter (“off-season”) or when site-based work and/or programming is not scheduled. 

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Environmental Education: 
  • Facilitation(45%): Deliver environmental/agriculture education programs to all age groups, including on-farm programs, off-site programs at area schools and partner locations, public education, and special events at the farm. Adapt lesson and facilitation starting from curriculum outlines and customizing activity structure, approach and specific learning and experience goals based on the students (age, teacher requests, lived experience, etc.)
    • Camp Programming: Support camp programming by serving as guest activity facilitator (and supporting outside guest facilitators), providing general staff and program support, providing 1:1 support for campers as needed, and filling in as needed for camp group leaders.   
    • On-Farm Programming: The Environmental Educator will teach the majority OxEd’s school programs during the school year, and are most often facilitating alongside at least one other OxEd staff member. For on-farm programs, they will be responsible for leading instructional experiences for groups of approximately 12 students per program on average, with the support of at least 1 adult chaperone or teacher.   
    • In-Class Programming: During in-class programs, the Environmental Educator will facilitate with at least one other OxEd Staff. 
  • Program Preparation (5%): Prepare for each program by reviewing Teacher requests, notes from past school visits, and compiling physical materials. Liaises with Garden Coordinator at least once a week to confirm produce availability, farm projects and current phenomena-based opportunities for learning. For most school programs, serve as Logistics Coordinator, communicating program specifics to the OxEd teaching team, making initial on-site contact with the school group leader, and acting as timekeeper. 
  • Program Support (35%):  While the Education Specialist is primarily responsible for curriculum and activity development, and the Environmental Educator will work closely with them in this process in multiple ways, including the following-
    • Winter 
      • Offers support in curriculum improvement of Farm Adventures (FAs) and Farmer-in-Classroom (FIC) programs 
      • Assists in synthesizing reflection and feedback from previous year’s programming 
      • (Optional) Initiates research on/projects in areas of interest or need to improve/expand OxEd capacity or offerings 
    • Spring/Fall 
      • On a daily basis, contributing to program reflections, feedback, notes for future reference and contributing input for refinement and improvement of school programs. 
      • Develops and facilitates at least one module/workshop for staff training and/or enrichment  
      • Engages in peer coaching by providing observation and feedback to staff 
      • Serves as primary liaison between OxEd and the Garden Coordinator, communicating weekly on status of harvestable produce in the kids’ farm/living playground, and potential farm projects for students 
    • Summer 
      • Working closely with the Assistant Manager to help plan summer camp activities and weekly schedules 
      • Guest facilitator planning, coordination, support, training and occasional activity leading as needed 
      • Contributes to facilitation of summer staff training 
      • Professional Development support for summer staff (coaching, observation and feedback, etc.) 
      • Supervising campers during instructors’ lunch breaks
    • Custom and Partnership programs 
      • Assists Education Specialist as needed with curriculum and activity development for custom and/or partnership programs 
      • Facilitating custom and/or partnership programs during the school year as needed 
  • Farming and Gardening (15%): Work alongside the Site Team and Garden Coordinators to assist with planting, sowing, weeding, mulching, harvesting, seed-saving and general 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY COMMITMENT

Oxbow is committed to cultivating a culture of diversity and inclusion. We value the individual differences, life experiences, and knowledge that our staff bring to their work and their communities. Valuing diversity is a significant part of our culture, our values, and the success of Oxbow’s mission.   

Oxbow provides equal employment opportunities to all staff members and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.  

Oxbow is committed to fostering a racially diverse team. People of color are encouraged to apply.  

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume and contact info for 3 professional references. This position will remain open until filled - applicants to this position will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with a preferred start date in late September 2024.