Summer Farm Educator

This is a fun, outdoor education position at a working farm in Fairbanks, Alaska! This is a training position with no experience necessary, so people who are beginning their journey in environmental education or only have a season or two of experience are strongly encouraged to apply! The Summer Farm Educator serves primarily as a camp counselor at Calypso's youth summer camps. This is a great opportunity to develop your leadership skills, learn techniques for working with children and youth, and learn all about (and practice!) principles of hands-on, place-based education. No experience necessary - we just ask that you have a strong interest in working with children of all ages and learning about environmental education!

Position Overview

The Farm Educator is an education focused position at Calypso Farm. Your primary responsibility will be to be a camp counselor at Calypso's youth summer camps. This is a great opportunity to develop your leadership skills, learn techniques for working with children and youth, and learn all about (and practice!) principles of hands-on, place-based education. Throughout the summer, you will receive training on working with youth, hands-on education, farming and boreal forest ecology, and more. Based on need and availability, there may also be the opportunity to work with Calypso's Field Trips and other farm-based education programs.

About Calypso Farm & Ecology Center

Founded in 2000, Calypso Farm and Ecology Center is a non-profit, educational farm in Fairbanks, Alaska. We offer hands-on education programs for all ages and grow fresh food for the community. We encourage environmental awareness in both farming and natural ecosystems, and our farm is surrounded by beautiful boreal forest. Our education programs are all hands-on and based in principles of place-based learning.

About Calypso's Educational Philosophy

We believe in the power of immersive, hands-on, place-based learning. We know that people of all ages, including children, learn best when they are learning real skills and building real relationships with the land and community around them. Our programs focus on child-led learning and discovery and guiding participants through hands-on learning experiences on the Farm. Our programs incorporate elements of play-based learning, nature awareness, place-based science and ecology, and outdoor skills/farm skills.

To see a full job description, including responsibilities and qualifications, please visit our website: https://calypsofarm.org/employment/

To Apply

Please send a copy of your resume, the contact information for 3 references (could be work related, former teachers, mentors, etc.), and a cover letter that addresses the following questions to Leila Pyle, Calypso’s Lead Educator, at leila@calypsofarm.org. We will then contact you about an interview!

1. Describe why you are interested in being a Summer Farm Educator.
2. Describe any outdoor/environmental education experience that you have, or other experience working with children. If you don't have experience in this area, please describe your interest in working with children and your interest in learning more about place-based learning!
3. Describe something you'd hope to learn or an area you'd like to grow in as a Summer Farm Educator. 4. If you were a vegetable, what would you be and why?
5. How did you hear about the position?

Preference given to Alaskan hires!

Feel free to spread the word! Calypso plans to hire 2-3 qualified applicants for this position.