AmeriCorps Outdoor Educator

PROJECT SPONSOR: PALOUSE-CLEARWATER ENVIRONMENTAL INSTITUTE
PCEI MISSION: LEARNING. SERVING. RESTORING. LIVING.

Connecting people, place, and community since 1986. Our programs encourage sustainable living,
provide experiential learning, and offer opportunities for serving in our community, while actively
protecting and restoring our natural resources.
 

LOCATION: 
PCEI NATURE CENTER AT 1040 RODEO DRIVE IN MOSCOW, IDAHO.

POSITION TIMELINE:
September 1, 2024, and ends June 6, 2025 (675 hours, approximately 20 hours a week).

WEBSITE:
https://pcei.org/palouse-roots/

POSITION SUMMARY:
We are seeking an Outdoor Educator, needed 20 hours per week during the 2024-2025 school year. They will be based at PCEI’S Palouse Nature Center, regularly on weekdays: Mondays–Thursdays, 8:30 AM–1:30 PM, with closures following the Moscow School District and/or weather-related. Additional obligations may include staff meetings, education outreach, workdays, and community events. Outdoor Educator will be working with children between the ages of 4–7 in an outdoor environment and will have knowledge and experience in play-based learning, emergent curriculum, have a love for nature, teaching, and children; and enjoy being outdoors in all kinds of weather.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Palouse Roots Outdoor Educator will lead children and groups in play-based environmental education activities. They will help teach new skills and instill and love for our natural world. Will fully support PCEI’s Palouse Roots Nature School.

JOB TASKS:
• Help to plan and carry out daily programming in an inviting and safe manner including helping
children stay comfortable in inclement weather conditions and managing risk in an outdoor or
indoor setting.
• Help plan and/or carry out intentional lessons each week for our participants.
• Maintain school supplies, lessons, and gear.
• Work together with fellow nature school teachers, staff, and participants.
• Teach a nature-based curriculum under the direction of the Palouse Roots Coordinator.
• Set up and pack up outdoor classroom materials each day.
• Effectively communicate with the Palouse Roots Coordinator, staff, and families.
• Ability to problem-solve and be flexible with changing conditions.
• Ensuring regular headcount of students (every 5 minutes or when changing an activity; whichever
is shorter).
• Assist children with the restroom, gear, clothing layers, and clothing changes.
• Make keen observations of the natural world and of the participants.
• Help children learn to assess their needs and body awareness.
• Watch for and encourage the physical, emotional, and social health of the students.
• Represent the school philosophy and core values at community, networking, and fundraising events.
• Ability to sing songs, play, be physically active, and model the Palosue Roots core values.
• Willingness to learn and play along with students and staff.
• Exhibit a genuine nurturing and caring attitude to all the children.
• Knowledge of and/or desire to learn about local ecology, flora, fauna, and animals;
• Be an active learner willing to continue their growth as a teacher;
• Be enthusiastic and prepared to explore the outdoors with children on a daily basis;
• Be able to support child-led learning;• Willingness to get dirty, sit on the ground in exploration, and play;
• Be actively engaged and contribute to developing the emergent curriculum;
• Observe and document the children’s learning, behavior, and development;
• Address the individual needs of each child as they emerge;
• Model kindness, wonder, engagement, and empathy.
• Strong organizational, time management, and project management skills with the ability to work
independently as well as part of a team.
• A cooperative manner and the ability to serve as part of a diverse team.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• Active interest in the natural world and a commitment to its use as a central and daily learning and
play environment;
• Able to speak clearly, positively, and effectively with both children and staff;
• Strong verbal communication skills;
• Ability to be outside in all types of weather conditions and maintain a positive attitude.
• Maintains the school’s professional attitude and work behavior.
• Observes all rules and regulations of the school and local, state, or national regulatory agencies
pertaining to the health, safety, and care of children.
• Able to lift up to 50 lbs. and move easily in an outdoor setting in various weather conditions;
• CPR First Aid certification or willingness to get certified.
• Be able and willing to pass a background check.
• Ability to bring wonder and curiosity to learning and join in imaginative play.
 

To apply submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information with
two references to: courtneywarner[at]pceiamericorps.org