Education Assistant

JOB DESCRIPTION:

The Education Assistant and Lead Instructor role will help the Education Manager with pre-season admin tasks related to Outdoor School, edit SFI class curriculum, plan staff training activities, and help with behind the scenes tasks of Outdoor School as well as be a lead instructor when kids are on site. 

This role will start part-time (20 hours a week, $20/hour) beginning in March and will transition to the day-rate instructor pay of $200/day at the start of staff training in April. 

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY PRE-SEASON:

• Assist the Education Manager with curriculum organization and design

• Help inventory current SFI Outdoor School supplies and make order lists for items needed

• Brainstorm and help Education Manager create daily routines, systems and culture for SFI Outdoor School

• Help with printing, assembling, and organizing activity materials for instructor resource binders

• Help with manual setup of SFI site (eating area, canvas tents, other messy work outside)

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY DURING SEASON:

• Assist in leading staff training and act as resource to other instructors

• Assist in admin tasks and backend work of day-to-day Outdoor School logistics and other tasks as they relate to SFI’s Adventure Learning Program

• Be “on call” staff on-site at SFI for 1-2 nights a week

• Facilitate high-quality, NGSS-based outdoor education programs (day and evening)

• Lead instructional and recreational activities with students

• Run challenge course activities ensuring participant safety

• Deliver programs effectively while working with chaperones, teachers, community groups, staff members, and other instructors as needed

• Attend trainings delivered by the Youth Education Programs Manager 

• Clean yurts, break down tents, inventory program supplies, and participate in debriefs after each program

• Work Support Staff duties when assigned, including but not limited to: creating personalized science notebooks for schools, revamping curriculum, office projects, etc.

• Help with meal preparation and announcements, and other duties as assigned

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• A passion for working with young people and making a difference through education and nature connection

• Bachelor’s Degree in related field and/or relevant work experience

• Experience facilitating outdoor environmental education programs and/or classroom teaching experience

• The ability to take initiative, work independently and maintain a positive and flexible attitude

• Ability to maintain professional demeanor with other staff members

• Ability to work irregular hours and days/nights in order to meet group needs

• Ability to pass a background check

• Ability to lift up to 30 pounds and hike up to five miles a day

• Must provide and maintain own transportation, a valid driver’s license, and meet minimum insurance requirements.  (Work-related mileage will be reimbursed at 65% of the federal rate.) 

• Current First Aid and CPR certification or willingness to obtain. Wilderness First Aid/Responder highly desirable

• Willingness to obtain food handler’s license

DESIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge and familiarity of outdoor school routines, lessons and objectives

• Ability to organize and keep track of multiple projects at once

• Comfortable leading peers and acting as a resource during staff training 

• Excellent written and oral communication skills and ability to convey complex information to a variety of audiences; public speaking experience

• Strong desire to understand the science of our region and communicate it in a fun way; strong interest in natural history

• Works well as a member of a team as well as independently; highly motivated to succeed and to ensure program success; resourceful and creative in accomplishing goals  

• Excellent written and oral communication skills and ability to convey complex information to a variety of audiences; public speaking experience

• Awareness of, and sensitivity to, how to craft language and curriculum material to be accessible to students of all ability levels, native languages, and backgrounds

• Strong organizational and logistical skills, with an attention to detail

• Ability to multi-task and stick to deadlines in a busy office and outdoor environment and able to craft engaging experiences for the students and keep them active while learning; experience with writing/editing/customizing curriculum to meet state and national education standards

• We especially encourage members of marginalized communities or from those who have historically lacked access to outdoors and environmental education to apply

• Proficiency with computer programs (GoogleSuite, MS Word, Excel)

• Positive and capable outlook in both calm and challenging situations

Why Siskiyou Field Institute? We are a mission-driven organization that values your contributions and supports you in making a positive impact on youth and the environment. You will get to work in a beautiful natural setting with other dedicated educators who are passionate about the environment!

How To Apply: Siskiyou Field Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Please click on the following link to complete the application HERE and email a copy of your resume to edmanager@thesfi.org.