Beginning in August of 2023, an Apprentice Outdoor Educator for Muddy Sneakers will be a part-time 10 month position, with a minimum of 3 days/week of work with an opportunity for continued employment. The fall will focus on training, professional development and skill building. Apprentices will begin by focusing on in-house training with our core team and field experts while exploring pedagogy models, child development, and naturalizing. The cohort will shadow instructors in the field and other EE professionals to experience diverse education settings with peers. Apprentices will also be assigned a veteran instructor mentor with expectations of regular meetings, support, and focused shadowing time working up to solo teaching by Spring 24’.

Summary

Job Title: Apprentice Outdoor Educator

Supervisor Title: Program Manager

Location: Salisbury & Winston-Salem, NC (and surrounding counties)

All programs will take place in the Piedmont region with a focus on Salisbury, Winston-Salem and the surrounding counties. Site and training locations vary and require that you have reliable transportation to the sites or the ability to meet at a centralized carpool location (generally around Salisbury or W-S).

Term of Position: Part time, seasonal position from August through May

About the Apprenticeship Program

As a pilot program, Muddy Sneakers (MS) will be beginning a one year apprenticeship program, with possible extensions into a second year. This pilot program will allow Muddy Sneakers to hire and train a cohort of 4 apprentices interested in the field of outdoor education. Previous experience in the outdoor education industry or formal training in education is not required. These positions will focus on training, mentorship and professional development opportunities in the outdoor education industry. We strive to create more equitable pathways for all individuals seeking a career in environmental education, shaping career opportunities to keep talent at home locally and introducing students to instructors who share their lived experiences.

About Muddy Sneakers: Muddy Sneakers operates at the crossroads of outdoor science instruction, public education, and conservation to awaken in children a deeply felt connection to the natural world – one that inspires curiosity, stimulates learning, and brings new life to classroom performance. We envision a world where every child has the opportunity to form a connection to nature and benefit from the wellness it provides. We are committed to becoming a national model for closing the science literacy gap, ensuring diversity thrives in the outdoors, and instilling an understanding of one’s role in the greater ecosystem. In doing so, we cultivate healthier generations committed to the stewardship of our natural resources.

Muddy Sneakers shares place-based, experiential science learning and nature discovery with 5th grade students in our public schools. As part of a year-long school partnership, Field Instructor teams guide learning expeditions onto nearby, protected lands, with the goal of introducing students to the wonders of the natural world through teaching science hands-on, outdoors, in small-group settings. Muddy Sneakers supports inquiry-based learning throughout the school year through other partnership elements, including a nature-based science curriculum for the schoolyard and virtual sessions with instructors.

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To apply, submit your resume and cover letter via our Breezy Hiring Platform linked above

Hiring Timeline

June 9: Priority deadline to apply (applications will be accepted on a rolling basis after this date)
June 26 - 30: Interviews
August 1: Preferred start date

To learn more about Muddy Sneakers, please visit our website: muddysneakers.org

Compensation Information

Compensation Range: $115-$125 per day

Additional benefits

12 paid office holidays + one week paid between Christmas and New Years

Supplemental pay for occasional longer days, mileage reimbursement and/or carpool options