Teacher-Naturalist

Programmatic Responsibilities 

• NBNC Teacher-Naturalists’ programmatic responsibilities vary significantly with the seasons. During the school year, the focus is on the ECO program, ECO Homeschool, Afterschool, and other programming. During the summer, Teacher-Naturalists teach NBNC’s popular summer camps. Mixed in with these programmatic responsibilities is a considerable amount of planning and debriefing time, administrative tasks related to the programs, team meetings, and other desk duties. Across the year, Teacher-Naturalists spend roughly 80% of their time in the field teaching and about 20% of their time on planning or other administrative tasks, though that breakdown varies significantly based on the time of year. Teacher-Naturalist responsibilities in each of these program areas include:
  • Educating Children Outdoors ECO, our flagship school-based program, takes public elementary school students into the forests on or near school grounds for weekly lessons. A Teacher-Naturalist develops and delivers standards-based lessons in collaboration with the classroom teacher, maintaining a regular ECO teaching or consultation schedule at 1-3 area public schools. ECO programming typically runs September - December and March - June, though some schools do have ECO in January and February.
  • ECO Homeschool Develop and deliver student-led lessons and activities that take advantage of local phenology during ECO Homeschool sessions, write weekly summaries and extensions for parents, and coordinate and co-teach with other NBNC Teacher-Naturalists. Once a week, September - June
  • Afterschool Work with other NBNC Teacher-Naturalists to plan and lead nature-based Afterschool sessions. Once a week, September - June. 
  • Summer Camp Develop and implement experiential Summer Camp activities based on weekly themes throughout the summer season. Help train, mentor, and co-teach with seasonal Summer Staff and high school Leaders-In-Training. June - August. 
  • Other Programming In consultation with NBNC’s Director of Education and Program Director, and based on the strengths and interests of the Teacher-Naturalist, develop, deliver, and take a lead in other nature-based programming and nature connection opportunities for the NBNC community, including but not limited to family outings, evening and weekend programs, natural history programs, community science opportunities, community events, and other activities. Year round.
• Qualifications 
  • At least two years experience in environmental education, place-based education, or similar nature-based, outdoor, community science, or other educational programming. 
  • Bachelor’s Degree in education, environmental education, environmental science, natural science, or related field, or commensurate life experience. 
  • Experience with and interest in working with children in an outdoor environment. 
  • Willingness to teach outside in all Vermont weather conditions. 
  • Knowledge of local natural history, including flora, fauna, geology, and Vermont’s historical land use preferred. Knowledge of local Indigenous cultures and history preferred. 
  • Professional training in anti-bias education. 
  • Experience with storytelling, singing, and nature-inspired art in daily teaching routine. 
  • Proficiency in outdoor skills such as fire tending, tool use, and knot tying. 
  • Experience managing risk in an outdoor setting. 
  • Wilderness First Aid or First Aid certification, Adult/Child CPR, and AED certification, or the willingness to obtain those certifications before employment begins. 
  • Clear background check; valid driver's license; reliable transportation to teaching sites.