About NatureBridge
Founded in 1971, NatureBridge provides environmental science programs for students in the world’s best classrooms—our national parks. Our mission is to foster environmental literacy to sustain our planet. Our programs do so by exposing students to the wonder and science of nature and inspiring the stewards of tomorrow. As the largest residential education partner of the National Park Service, NatureBridge serves more than 30,000 students and their teachers each year and offers programs in seven national parks: Yosemite National Park, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Olympic National Park, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, Channel Islands National Park, Shenandoah National Park, and Prince William Forest Park.
In order to further our mission, NatureBridge is committed to supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion and to promoting equal opportunity for students and staff in the field of environmental education. We strive to diversify our workforce and seek applications by individuals from all backgrounds, abilities, cultures, orientations, identities, and communities.
For more information, visit: naturebridge.org
Summary
NatureBridge in the Mid-Atlantic region is currently seeking Environmental Science Educators to lead an intensive summer program based in Shenandoah National Park, VA. Educators teach and facilitate a 13-day program for a diverse group of international high school students, including a 7-day backpacking trip and a sightseeing day in Washington DC. The position runs from July 6th-July 30th 2017. This is an intensive program requiring evening work and being on-call overnight. Top candidates will possess a passion for working with high school students and teaching environmental science, experience leading backpacking trips, and be highly skilled in outdoor leadership and risk management.
There is also the possibility of extending employment into the fall season. Fall Environmental Science Educators teach 3-day outdoor school programs in Prince William Forest Park, VA, working primarily with 5th and 7th graders in an outdoor school setting.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
● Lead participants through multi-day, hands-on, experiential learning experiences in an outdoor setting
● Using a student-centered approach, facilitate interactive, community-building activities for a diverse
participant group.
● Provide participants with opportunities to engage in the practices of science.
● Lead by example to demonstrate positive and responsible environmental literacy and behavior.
● Cultivate an inclusive and culturally relevant learning community among participants.
● Actively participate in NatureBridge’s efforts to assess and evidence participant learning and program
outcomes.
● Provide comprehensive post-trip program debriefs.
● Actively participate in staff community by attending meetings and trainings as assigned.
● Collect and share stories from the field to support NatureBridge’s fundraising efforts.
● Lead a day-long field trip into Washington DC.
● Chaperone participants in a variety of settings, including a hotel, a campground, and in the backcountry.
● Assist with various pre- and post-trip duties.
● Facilitate and manage all aspects of a 7-day backpacking trip.
● Guide students through individual field science research projects.
● Facilitate opportunities for participants’ personal and social growth.
● Manage participants’ physical, social, and emotional safety in an outdoor setting by applying sound judgment, adhering to NatureBridge risk management policies, and administering and documenting first aid as needed.
● Other duties as assigned or necessitated by circumstances in the field.
Required Experience and Education
●
Bachelor’s degree in science, environmental or multidisciplinary studies, or a related field.
● Current Wilderness First Responder and CPR certification, or a willingness to obtain at your own expense prior to start date.
● Relevant formal or informal teaching experience.
● Experience leading backpacking and/or wilderness trips.
● Ability to perform physically challenging work in the outdoors and in all weather conditions on uneven terrain.
● Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion within your teaching and community.
● Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
● A willingness to be coached and openness to feedback.
● Ability to work flexible hours, and ability to work extended hours in challenging conditions as necessary.
Desirable Qualifications
● Working experience with racial and ethnic minority groups, English Language Learners, urban youth, low-income communities, immigrant communities, LGBTQ communities, people with special needs, and other groups that are underrepresented in the field of environmental education.
● Involvement in community service projects, leadership, social and environmental justice, and activism.
● Ability to speak and teach in a language other than English relevant to our participants
● Working experience with environmental education, science education, or residential outdoor education.
● Working knowledge of inquiry-based, multi-disciplinary science, and natural history.
● Advanced degree or teaching credential.
Compensation
● Competitive compensation. Educators are considered exempt and paid on a daily rate basis.
● Paid training days.
● Space in a shared house provided from July 5th-July 31st for accommodation during training and storage of personal belongings during program.
How to Apply
A complete application consists of:
● A cover letter describing why you want to work for NatureBridge in Shenandoah National Park.
● Your current resume.
● Contact information for three references.
When your application materials are complete, please complete the application form online
For applicants with limited computer access, please mail your complete application to:
Educator Selection Committee
NatureBridge
777 6th St NW, Suite 700
Washington, D.C. 20001
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until all positions are filled. Please direct questions to Rae Parks, Senior Educator, at midatlanticsearch@naturebridge.org
Thank you for your interest. We look forward to hearing from you!
