Educator

ACES is a nonprofit environmental science education organization. Since 1968, ACES has inspired a lifelong commitment to the Earth by providing innovative and immersive programming for all ages. We have three locations in the Roaring Fork Valley: Hallam Lake, Rock Bottom Ranch, and Catto Center at Toklat. Our programs reach more than 140,000 individuals every year, and focus on ecological literacy, regenerative agriculture, forest and ecosystem health, land restoration, and environmental leadership. ACES works diligently to directly affect environmental and climate change education, awareness, and action. We also engage our community by hosting public lectures and events. ACES collaborates with land trusts, public agencies, and other nonprofits to achieve our mission.

ACES has full-time environmental education classrooms at three elementary schools: Aspen Elementary School, Basalt Elementary School, and Crystal River Elementary School. Educators teach K-4/5 students in our partner schools, lead field programs for school groups at sites from Aspen to Rifle, and facilitate winter, spring, and summer camps. 

Please visit the ACES website for more information on our education programs.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Teach in the ACES classroom at one of our partner schools. (50%)
   • Teach ACES' K-4/5 environmental education classes. ACES is a "specials" class in our partner schools, like art, library, PE, and music. ACES Educators teach by themselves and with a co-teacher in our full-time classrooms.
   • Be solely responsible for managing and supervising students in a classroom environment.
   • Develop and revise units and lesson plans for grades K-4/5 that are aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards and 2020 Colorado Academic Science Standards.
   • Create, prepare, and obtain classroom materials and resources.
   • Coordinate and communicate with other classroom teachers, school principals, and administrative staff.
   • Participate in school faculty meetings, professional development, and parent/teacher conferences.
   • Assess and track students' progress; submit grades for students.
   • Plan, coordinate, and teach occasional evening programs for school families.
   • Maintain an understanding of best practices in education and classroom management.
2. Teach ACES field science programs. (30%)
   • Teach non-residential environmental science field programs at various sites throughout the Roaring Fork Valley and Garfield County.
   • Lead and safely manage students (K-12) in a wide range of environments and seasons (e.g. programs at 11,200 feet in elevation in winter conditions).
   • Maintain an understanding of best practices in environmental and outdoor education, and knowledge of local ecology.
   • Lead other ACES programs as needed, including some overnight, evening, and weekend programs, as well as pre-K, adult, and family programs.
3. Teach ACES community programs. (20%)
   • Teach children’s day and weeklong camps during summer, winter, and spring breaks. Weeklong summer camps are based at Hallam Lake and Rock Bottom Ranch, and may include hikes off site and overnight camping.
   • Be solely responsible for managing and supervising youth in grades K-8 in an outdoor environment.
   • Develop, revise, and document curriculum for associated programs.
   • Organize, create, and prepare educational resources and materials for ACES youth programs.
   • Lead and support other community programs as needed, including adult and family programs, and events.

Secondary Responsibilities

1. Assist and become involved with visitor center maintenance including resident animal management, ranch animal husbandry, interpretive exhibits, and other ACES projects.
2. Perform on-site visitor center hosting responsibilities. This includes greeting and engaging guests, answering telephone calls, informal visitor education, selling merchandise, and fielding questions.
3. Maintain site organization and cleanliness.
4. Other duties as assigned to further the mission of ACES. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree or equivalent experience in natural sciences, environmental education, agriculture education, or related field
• Minimum of two years’ teaching experience in a classroom or outdoor setting, elementary grade level preferred
• Experience with curriculum writing and development of educational teaching materials
• Knowledge of, and familiarity with, the Next Generation Science Standards
• Ability to work independently as well as within a team-oriented environment
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Strong organizational skills
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
• Current CPR and First Aid certifications, WFR or WFA preferred
• Fluency or proficiency in Spanish is desired, but not required (see our Bilingual Educator job posting)

Reporting Relationships

This position reports to the ACES School Programs Manager. The ACES Education Director and ACES Community Programs Director also provide management and support.

Location

Hallam Lake educators are based at ACES’ 25-acre nature preserve located in Aspen, Colorado. Hallam Lake Educators teach at Aspen Elementary School or Basalt Elementary School, and may assist at other school sites in the Aspen and Roaring Fork school districts.

Rock Bottom Ranch educators are based at ACES’ 113-acre ranch located in Basalt, Colorado. Rock Bottom Ranch educators teach at Basalt Elementary School or Crystal River Elementary School, and may assist at other school sites in the Aspen, Roaring Fork, and Garfield Re-2 school districts.

Educators' schedules vary throughout the week. Work hours are generally Monday-Friday from 8:30am-5pm, with adjustment for schools' daily schedules and field programs. Occasional evening, weekend, and overnight work is required. Educators report to work at their school site, their ACES site (Hallam Lake or Rock Bottom Ranch), or a field program site, depending on the day. Travel throughout the Roaring Fork Valley is required for school and field programs.

ACES has a variety of housing located in Aspen, Basalt, and Carbondale. Educators may be housed at any of these locations based on primary work sites. 

Position Start Dates

Year-round positions begin on June 9, 2025 or August 4, 2025, and will be filled on a rolling basis.

ACES employees work with school children, therefore ACES conducts background checks for criminal history and motor vehicle records.

Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ACES does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and organizational need.