An educator leads students through the Olympic National Park forest.
Teach the Next Generation

Environmental Science Educators

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NatureBridge environmental science educators are skilled professionals who provide student groups with meaningful experiences in one of the world’s best classrooms—our national parks. Programming is guided by the integration of our three pillars: science; social and emotional learning; and equity, inclusion and diversity, as outlined in our Theory of Change.

NatureBridge programs:

  • Connect students to nature
  • Develop students’ relationship skills
  • Build students’ skills in, appreciation for and interest in science
  • Empower students to take responsibility for themselves, others and our planet

Experiences are intentionally crafted so students develop knowledge, attitudes and skills to act as environmental stewards.

We commit to helping educators grow and refine their craft. We foster a growth mindset and value a willingness to challenge one’s self to grow. Educators meeting or exceeding expectations will receive an invitation to return the following season / school year. Our aim is to help educators to deliver high quality NatureBridge programming, and develop skills that can be leveraged in future endeavors.

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Overview

NatureBridge has campuses in four national park locations. Hiring is specific to and coordinated at the campus level. All programming is guided by NatureBridge’s Theory of Change, yet each campus’ culture is a result of unique participant composition, natural resources, educator expertise and program offerings. All campuses offer multi-day, residential environmental science programs for school groups. 

NatureBridge deeply values equity, inclusion and diversity. We actively strive to diversify our workforce and seek applications by individuals from all backgrounds, abilities, cultures, orientations, identities and communities who have the ability to work in the United States.

Please review the full position description and campus specifics before applying. Season dates and hiring windows may vary slightly from what is listed. Please only apply to a maximum of three locations. You will be contacted if selected for interview. 

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Job Description

Primary Duties and Responsibilities #

  • Lead students through multi day, hands-on, experiential learning in outdoor settings. 
  • Use a student-centered approach to facilitate interactive environmental education lessons and activities.
  • Cultivate an inclusive learning environment by delivering culturally relevant content, by presenting multiple and balanced perspectives and by connecting instruction to participants’ lives and community. 
  • Engage students in the practices of science via investigations.
  • Differentiate and tailor programs that honor the backgrounds and needs of each school group by incorporating teacher requests within the NatureBridge educational framework and program logistics.
  • Manage students’ physical safety in outdoor settings using sound judgment and applying appropriate risk management decisions; administer and document first aid as needed. 
  • Establish and maintain respectful, supportive and compassionate relationships with staff, volunteers and participants.
  • Model responsible environmental behavior.
  • Regularly create and lead evening programs, and/or assist National Park Service staff and guest presenters, typically after a field day, typically twice weekly. 
  • Provide occasional on-call and evening support.
  • Assess and document student learning and program outcomes. 
  • Provide comprehensive program debriefs. 
  • Participate in meetings and training as assigned. 
  • Collect and share stories from the field to support fundraising efforts.
  • For those in provided housing, follow NatureBridge housing policies and work agreements; cultivate a respectful home environment by setting and being accountable to agreed upon expectations and boundaries among housemates. 
  • Fulfill other duties as assigned, such as supporting donor engagement events, program support tasks, providing feedback on special projects, participating in campus beautification or attending conferences.

Experience, Competencies & Education #

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. NatureBridge honors various types of work and training experiences as equivalencies to the formalized education with a Bachelor’s degree. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Required Qualifications

  • Minimum one year of relevant formal or informal teaching experience, including environmental education, science education or residential outdoor education.
  • Possess the social and emotional skills necessary to build rapport and positive relationships with people from all backgrounds, abilities, cultures, orientations, identities and communities.
  • Commitment to equity and inclusion within your teaching and our community, or sincere willingness to explore these topics professionally and personally.
  • Bachelor's degree/equivalent experience.
  • Education in science, environmental or multidisciplinary studies, or a relevant field.
  • Current Wilderness First Responder and CPR certification or willingness to complete training at your own expense shortly after a job offer. 
  • Ability to perform physically challenging work outdoors and in all weather conditions on uneven terrain. 
  • Effective communication skills.
  • A willingness to be coached and openness to feedback.
  • Ability to work flexible hours and split shifts, including evenings and occasional weekends.
  • Ability to work in the United States.
  • Proof of COVID-19 vaccination required. Final shot must occur 15 days or more before start date. Here is the link to our full policy: NatureBridge COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

Desirable Qualifications

  • Working knowledge of natural history and inquiry-based, multi-disciplinary science.
  • Lived experience as or experience working with: people of color, indigenous people, people whose first language is other than English, people from low-income communities, people from immigrant communities, people who are gender non-confirming or non-binary, people who are LGBTQIA+, people with special needs and other groups that are impacted by the historic and current system of oppression that has prevented them from having access to environmental education.
  • Ability to speak and teach in a language relevant to our student populations other than English. For example, Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog, and Vietnamese in California; Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese, and Somali in Washington; Spanish, French, Amharic/Ethiopian, and German in the Mid-Atlantic region.
  • Advanced degree or teaching credential.

Compensation #

  • Starting exempt educators make $126.00 for a full teaching day, and are paid additionally for evening work. Non-exempt educators (Golden Gate) are paid California state minimum wage ($15.75/hr). Daily and weekly work hours vary. 
  • Paid training days and sick pay.
  • Full-time hires can elect to receive a comprehensive benefit plan, including: medical, dental and vision; retirement. 
  • Full-time hires accrue vacation based on tenure.
  • Housing may be provided as a benefit of employment. By providing housing, NatureBridge can ensure that educators are available and accessible to provide support for program participants in emergency situations, and that educators can work odd hours and split shifts required during typical programs.
  • The opportunity to live and grow in a spectacular location with an amazing community.

Working Conditions & Physical Demands #

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Weekend work is required occasionally and evening work is required regularly.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing duties of this job, the employee is required to regularly stand; walk up to 7 miles on uneven terrain at 2 miles per hour pace; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb and balance; stoop, kneel, crouch and crawl; talk, hear, taste and smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

 

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Campus Details

Yosemite #

Educators teach 4th–12th graders in Yosemite Valley and at our new campus, the National Environmental Science Center. Day trips to Mariposa Grove, Tuolumne Meadows and Sentinel Dome are offered. Educators may also co-lead multi-day backpacking trips with middle and high school groups. In the winter, educators may teach cross country skiing and snowshoeing. Multi-season positions are offered.

We seek applicants with experience working with a variety of age groups, audiences, and populations, who are eager to grow and learn personally and professionally, have a flexible attitude, are community-oriented, self-directed, motivated and can adapt to Yosemite’s dynamic landscape.

Housing: Shared housing provided in El Portal and Foresta, 30 to 40 minutes away from most work locations. Although owning a car is not a requirement for educators, it is a huge asset in this remote location.

Golden Gate #

Educators teach K-12 students, with the majority being 4th-6th grade, in the Marin Headlands. Educators occasionally lead day trips in Muir Woods. During the summer, school-year educators may apply to work for Coastal Camp. We also welcome external Coastal Camp applicants. Multi-season positions are offered.

We seek applicants with experience working with multiple program types, different age groups and urban youth, who have flexibility and adaptability, and a desire to grow personally and professionally in a team environment.

Housing: Shared housing, owned by the National Park Service, provided. Housing is within two miles of the Golden Gate campus.

Olympic #

Educators teach 1st-12th grade students along the shores of Lake Crescent. Most days are on foot in the forests of Barnes Point or paddling with groups in Salish style canoes on Lake Crescent. Field trips to other sites such as the Elwha River or Hurricane Ridge are also offered.

We seek applicants who are eager to grow and learn personally and professionally, have a flexible attitude, are community-oriented, self-directed and motivated.

Housing: Staff have the option to live in individual housing in historic cabins on campus; shared housing in a four-bedroom house on Lake Crescent; or shared housing in a rented house or apartment in Port Angeles, WA.

Prince William Forest #

Educators teach 5th–8th grade students during three-day programs in Prince William Forest Park, VA, the largest green space in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. 

We seek applicants with experience with urban youth and low-income communities, flexible attitudes, and a desire to learn and grow both personally and professionally in a team environment. 

Housing: Shared housing, owned by the National Park Service, provided.

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How to

Apply

Open positions vary by campus and season. Positions will be coordinated at the campus level. Please review the full position description and campus specifics before applying. Visit our Careers page to view all current open positions.

If you have any questions about the position please contact the Hiring Manager at ESEhiring@naturebridge.org