Environmental Educator | 4K Teacher Aide

The primary responsibilities will be to support Dragonfly Nature Preschool to assist the teacher and support the student’s engagement in the natural world, as well as supporting The Ridges Sanctuary’s growing program and educational experience. This position will be working outside every day in almost all weather and will be traversing uneven ground in forest and meadow. This position reports to the Executive Director and will work collaboratively with the Education Team throughout the year. 
*Flexible and open to further discussion. 
 

About The Ridges Sanctuary

As a leading voice for conservation action, the mission of The Ridges Sanctuary is to promote positive environmental behaviors through impactful educational experiences, land protection and management, and ecological research. The Ridges was established in 1937 after Albert Fuller, then Curator of Botany at the Milwaukee Public Museum, began spending a significant amount of time surveying the landscape. Fuller spearheaded a grassroots movement to protect this incredibly diverse property and establish Wisconsin’s oldest member-based land trust. This grassroots movement still drives the organization today. The Ridges Sanctuary now protects 1,700+ acres of the Midwest’s most biologically diverse ecosystems and serves as a leading voice for conservation action in the region. Our campus features 5 miles of rustic trails, rare wildflowers, historic Range Lights, indoor exhibits, and an accessible boardwalk among more. 

Joining our team means becoming part of an organization committed to creativity, teamwork, and excellence. Our goal is to foster a supportive and inclusive work culture where every team member can thrive and contribute to our ongoing success.

Position Summary 

The Ridges Sanctuary seeks to hire an Environmental Education and 4K Teacher Aide to primarily support Dragonfly Nature Preschool, which will be an official site of the Gibraltar School District 4K Collaborative. The preschool sessions are scheduled for mornings, Monday – Friday, and will follow the Gibraltar School Calendar. The position is a 20 – 32* hour per week position. The primary responsibilities will be to support Dragonfly Nature Preschool to assist the teacher and support the student’s engagement in the natural world, as well as supporting The Ridges Sanctuary’s growing program and educational experience. This position will be working outside every day in almost all weather and will be traversing uneven ground in forest and meadow. This position reports to the Executive Director and will work collaboratively with the Education Team throughout the year. 

*Flexible and open to further discussion. 

Duties & Responsibilities

Dragonfly Nature Preschool

• Collaborating with the Lead Teacher, assist the teacher in supporting learning and development in a nature setting.
• Step in as substitute teacher in the event that the Lead Teacher is unavailable.
• Participate in special events.

Environmental Education

• Support, facilitate and lead environmental education programming. 

OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED

Candidate Profile & Qualifications

• Experience in developing and delivering early childhood environmental education and/or camp programs is preferred.
• Energetic and enthusiastic personality to help motivate children and collaborate with co-workers.
• Knowledge of local natural history preferred.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Withstand the physical demands of work which involves some lifting, carrying, bending and hiking across uneven terrain.
• Must pass a criminal background check.

Required Trainings and Certifications

• CPR certification and state required trainings for early childhood educational programming in Wisconsin will be provided upon hire.