K–12 Environmental Education Assistant

Organization

Westgate Community School

Job Posted

April 14, 2026

Job status

Job Category

Job Type

Job Duration

Job Compensation Type

Remote

No

Contact Name

Charlie Kahn

Contact Email

charlie.kahn@westgateschool.org

Contact Phone

(303) 452-0967

Location

Thornton, CO
United States
Environmental Education is central to the Mission and Vision of Westgate Community School. We have a 10-acre Environmental Education Campus that includes outdoor classrooms, trails, open fields, gardens, trees, bees, chickens, goats, barn cats, and reptiles. In the role of the K-12 Environmental Education Assistant, you will act as an educator and assistant for our environmental education and service-learning programs by collaborating with the Director of Environmental Education & Service-Learning to plan, implement, and evaluate hands-on, NGSS standards-aligned, nature-based programs for K-12 school aged children.

Summary

Anticipated start date: 

  • Mid to late July 

Job Duties 

  • Implement educational materials, activities, and curricula that align with Next Generation Science Standards 
  • Assist with lessons and guide experiences for K-12 students 
  • Providing program feedback to (TITLE) programs, systems, and procedures 

  • Support Earth Week activities and K-8 Earth Week Outdoor EE Lessons 
  • Assist with care of Westgate’s animals (chickens, goats, bees, barn cats, reptiles) including: 

Act as Chicken Tender Volunteer Support & Trainer 

Act as a back-up support for canceled volunteers as needed  

Assist with other care: hoof trimming, winterizing enclosures, brushing, chicken basic vet care, feeding and watering all animals, refilling food, moving bags of food, checking bee hives, cleaning enclosures 

  • Support garden planting and care 
  • Support student-led zero waste initiatives including Zero Waste Wednesday 
  • Promptly return phone calls and answer emails within 48 hours  
  • Attend occasional EE field trips off-site with teachers and students 
  • Aid in presentations and EE lessons during field trips to outside schools, current and potential families 
  • Participate in department, school, and/or district trainings 
  • May assist in grant writing for the environmental campus development 
  • Recess and car line duties as assigned 

Physical, Emotional, and Intellectual Demands: 

  • Ability to work in outdoor setting in various weather conditions  
  • Able to carry/lift up to 50 lbs. 
  • Demonstrate preparation and skill in working with students from diverse cultural, economic, and ability backgrounds 
  • Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, operate a computer, hand-held learning devices, and other office equipment 
  • Operate hand-held and power tools 
  • Hold and operate tools required for animal care 
  • Hold and operate tools required for gardening 
  • Reach with hands and arms 

Qualifications: 

Required 

  • High school diploma or GED required 
  • Willingness to learn 
  • Comfortable speaking in front of large groups of students 
  • Comfortable working with and around animals (chickens, goats, cats, reptiles, bees) 
  • Basic Microsoft Office proficiency 

  • This position will require successful completion of pre-employment checks to include a criminal background check and fingerprinting. 

Preferred 

  • Experience in Environmental Education 
  • Experience in gardening and/or animal care 
  • B.A./B.S. degree in Environmental Education or Teaching (preferred, not required) 

Other Information: 

  • This position normally works Monday – Friday  
  • Some weekend and evening hours due to community events, farm check-ups, and extra-curricular activities will be required 
  • This position does not follow a traditional school calendar as program support will require work during the summer and school breaks. 

To Apply: 

Email your resume and a cover letter to employment@westgateschool.org

Compensation Information

$19-21/hr

Full Time, Non-Exempt