Environmental Educator

Summer (or year-round) Environmental Educator

Reports To: Education Coordinator – Camps Lead
Classification: Program Support
Salary: $18/hour, with the potential for pay increase after the summer season

Benefits:

- Paid holidays if a holiday falls during a scheduled work week

- Accrued paid sick leave

- Training in education best practices and PNW ecology, opportunities for professional development such as Reflecting on Practice peer feedback

- The potential to pursue special projects and interest areas

- The opportunity to work and teach in a beautiful outdoor setting with a team that values personal and professional growth and a healthy work/life balance

Position Description

Do you remember the first time you saw a banana slug? Are you a child at heart that loves exploring moss-covered forests or turning over rocks in the stream to see what lives underneath? Join our creative and passionate team of Columbia Springs Educators and guide the next generation of nature explorers! If you want to make a lasting impact on kids in our community, this is the job for you. Columbia Springs is a non-profit dedicated to connecting people with nature and inspiring stewardship. See website for more info: www.columbiasprings.org

Columbia Springs Environmental Educators support our education programs in a diversity of ways and should be enthusiastic about filling a variety of roles and learning new tasks quickly. This position can be combined with the school year educator position to become a year-round job or can be a summer position only.  The summer position is approximately June 13th – July 26, including training before camp begins and clean up after. Educators will lead summer day camp groups at our site, creating a fun and supportive atmosphere as campers explore nature, science, sustainability topics. After a program ends you may find educators cleaning microscopes, sweeping classrooms or discussing how to adapt program materials to better meet the needs of students.

Educators also lead educational activities at community outreach events and support our education programs in a variety of ways throughout the year.  A week in the life of an educator during the school year might include leading an ecosystem field trip for fifth graders at our site, driving to a school the next day to lead a fish dissection for third graders and the next day leading a bug program for 1st graders!

Duties and Responsibilities:

Guide groups of up to 12 elementary students during our week-long summer nature day camp programs on-site at our 100-acre natural area and trout hatchery.
Work with, and provide guidance to, intern educators and volunteers.
Conduct outdoor activities in all kinds of weather on earthen trails and uneven terrain with a positive attitude.
Manage the behavior of students through positive feedback and excellent classroom management skills.
Set-up and clean-up all educational activities each day.
Support education program coordinators with tasks as needed.

During the school year:

Lead a full class of elementary students (20-30 students) through 2-4hr science and nature field trip programs.
Support our Salmon in the Classroom program (which raises thousands of Coho Salmon with in-school tanks all over Clark County!) by providing program support, leading in-class activities (like fish dissections or fingerling ID lessons) and field trips.

Preferred Skills and Experience:

We recognize that there are many different paths, experiences, and less traditional backgrounds that add value to one’s work and encourage applicants to apply even if they do not have all of the preferred skills, and feel that this position would be a great fit. Bilingual applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.

This position requires full vaccination against Covid-19, including any recommended boosters.
1-3 years relevant work and/or academic achievement or a bachelors degree in education or natural sciences
Demonstrated ability to lead exemplary educational programs
Basic understanding of PNW forest ecology, natural history subjects, and environmental stewardship or a strong desire to learn
Experience with inquiry-based environmental education and class management
Commitment to anti-racist practices and principles, cultural competency, and an interest in uprooting systemic and historical inequities in STEM
Outstanding verbal communication, interpersonal, and customer service skills
Demonstrated ability to take direction and follow through on assignments
Possess a positive, ‘Can-Do’ attitude and curiosity of the natural world
Ability to lift 50lbs and travel 3-4 miles over uneven trails / stairs
Desire and ability to work independently and also contribute to a strong team
Strong problem-solving and “tinkering” skills
Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation for getting to schools for in-class lessons (mileage will be reimbursed)

Hours and Work Location:

This position is year-round, but work will vary (avg 18-23 hrs/week) based on season, school holidays and program needs. During school breaks there will be very limited hours.
Generally,

Summer camp: 5.5-7 hours per shift (Usually between 8am- 3pm), Monday through Friday.          
During the school year:  5-6 hours per shift (usually between 9am-3pm), 2-3 shifts per week.

Planned work dates and times will be provided in advance and are subject to change based on mutual agreement. Schedule can be flexible when planned in advance.
Almost all hours will be completed on-site (either at Columbia Springs or a local school/park). There may be occasional projects that are suitable to be completed at home, but they will be infrequent.

Columbia Springs is committed to recruiting, hiring, developing, compensating, and promoting the best-qualified individuals for positions at all levels of the organization.

Columbia Springs is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability including sensory, mental or physical disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. Applicants of color, immigrants, and other underserved persons are encouraged to apply.

How to apply:

Please apply on or before Friday, May 20th 11:59 PM

Interviews will take place late May

Start date: Mid-June

To Apply:

Submit a single pdf that includes a cover letter sharing why you are interested in this position and how it will fit into your life, a resume with relevant experience and the contact information for two (2) references, preferably past supervisors, to Shelly at learn@columbiasprings.org. If you are selected for an interview, you will be asked to complete a background check.   

Email: learn@columbiasprings.org