Core Instructor/Field Instructor

Supervisor Title: Program Manager

Location: Salisbury, NC

• This is a hybrid role that requires remote and in-person work

Term of Position:

• Multiple terms available: Part-time 10 month or Full-time 12 month

Compensation Range: Dependent on experience and term of position

• Part-time Salary Range: $18,000 to $25,600
• Full-time Salary Range: $26,600 to $39,200
• see “Compensation” section for additional information

Muddy Sneakers (MS) 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. As part of a year-long school partnership with 5th grades in NC public schools, Field Instructor teams guide place-based, experiential learning expeditions on nearby, protected lands. School partnerships also include a supplemental Classroom Curriculum and Muddy Sneakers Live! Online virtual sessions.

The Core Instructor is responsible for delivering high quality, science and nature programming in an outdoor setting while maintaining safety, managing student needs, leading expedition logistics and team communication, developing and maintaining meaningful relationships with teachers, collaborating with the leadership team in administrative projects, supporting Muddy Sneakers Live! Online virtual instruction, and maintaining a healthy work experience for all team members.

Core instructors will have the option to complete offie work in-person at our office located in Salisbury or remotely from home. Work that is required in person includes staff training and program instruction. Travel to any of the following counties may be required for Core Instructors:

Rowan-Salisbury, Forsyth, Guilford, Stokes, Montgomery, Durham, Orange Counties

Essential Roles & Responsibilities

Strong candidates will be committed to the Muddy Sneakers mission and possess relevant experience and key skills including:

• Strong leadership capabilities and interpersonal skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Love of working outdoors and significant experience in child/youth education; excellent facilitation skill with children, adults, and educators
• Demonstrated ability to communicate respectfully and effectively with external partners
• Basic knowledge of, or ability to learn independently and rapidly about
  • local natural history of the Mountain region
  • science concepts represented in 5th grade curriculum
  • educational pedagogy
  • map/outdoor navigation skills
• Skill with Google Workspace, Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), digital meeting spaces (Zoom, Google Meet)
• Current Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder Certification, and Child and Adult CPR, completed before the first day of work. Training may be available through Muddy Sneakers, but it is the responsibility of the Field Instructor to ensure certification.
• Willingness to enroll in NC Environmental Education Certification (or already certified)
• Ability to interpret results of feedback and evaluation; implement changes to maintain high quality programming
• Special consideration may be given to applicants with experience and interest in virtual instruction.

Core Instructor Essential Functions

• Connect socially with students and adults, building rapport to facilitate safe learning outdoors; recognize and respond positively to social cues of children and adults
• Navigate outdoor settings to ensure safety of children and adults
• Be prepared to make difficult decisions in stressful situations with full knowledge of organizational policy and procedure
• Use discretion when faced with sensitive issues that could impact individual parties involved in/with MS or the organization as a whole
• Respond in a timely manner to changes in logistics by phone, email, or text
• Act as a mentor to Field Instructors and collaborate with Program Manager (PM) and other Core Instructors to plan and facilitate instructor training sessions
• Work individually, cooperatively, and respectfully within the administration and organization to deliver instruction and contribute to administrative projects
• Participate in supporting a strong and inclusive professional ecosystem, including: investing in a collaborative staff community with healthy and responsive communication, furtherance of an equitable workplace, willingness to work across differences, and commitment to a culture of mutual support and continued growth.

Specific Duties

Education, Evaluation, and Program Monitoring:

• Regularly instruct in the field and model exemplary teaching practices in the field
• Regularly instruct virtual lessons (Muddy Sneakers Live! Online)
• Collaborate with other regional management and field instructor team to maintain safety and high quality of program delivery
• Collaborate with programming team to enact planned field and remote curriculum maintenance; support instructor teams in maintaining and developing curriculum
• Regularly report on School Programming delivery and field perspective to PM
• Support efforts to further DEI objectives of recruiting and supporting a diverse group of interns, volunteer chaperones, and community partners

Administrative:

• Report updates, needs, successes, and opportunities regularly to Program Leadership
• Assist in all other administrative tasks necessary for successful implementation of programming
• Collaborate with Program Leadership in one or more of these administrative areas as assigned:
  • Gear supplies and distribution
  • Program vehicle fleet maintenance
  • Site permit processes and routine communication with site partners
  • Community Programming
  • Development, Communications, or Marketing
  • Curriculum & Pedagogy
  • Muddy Sneakers Classroom Curriculum and Live! Online virtual sessions

Financial:

• Support the PM during budget evaluations with inventory, price quotes, and other data

School/Community Relations and Programming:

• Act as Lead Instructor for 3-5 partner schools, developing effective communication channel with partner teachers and:
  • Schedule and lead school orientations at the beginning of the year
  • Process school-specific and student paperwork
  • Communicate logistics of each lead school expedition to field instruction and teaching team in a timely and efficient manner
  • Lead the instructor team in successful delivery of programming
  • Support supplemental science needs for each lead school including, but not limited to: attendance at STEM or science nights, parent
  • Lead EOG reviews at the end of the year with partner schools
• Represent Muddy Sneakers at community outreach events, school/district functions, and other events in furtherance or regional programming as needed

• Support Teacher Development training programs with school partners
• Support long-distance partner schools by instructing on some expedition days with long carpool commutes
• Occasionally work at weekend events

Evaluation of Impact

• Assist in collecting qualitative feedback from partners, parents, and students

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions

• Environmental: Work is almost entirely outdoors in fall and spring, with some outdoor work in winter. Conditions include mildly inclement weather in all seasons
• Seasonally, work is primarily indoors, requiring daily prolonged computer use.
• Physical Demands: Requires frequent standing, walking, hiking, and carrying. Manual dexterity is required to use field equipment and teaching aids. Hiking occurs on varying terrain up to three (3) miles per day.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral, and depth perception vision and the ability to focus. Must be able to read and comprehend written documentation on paper and screen.
• Hearing and Speaking Requirements: Requires ability to hear, listen, comprehend, and communicate verbally.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently lift or carry up to 25 lbs, carry field gear.
• This position must be able to work independently and collaborate with team members in-person and remotely.
• Occasional remote work may be possible if Core Instructor has access to high-speed internet and computer equipment. Access to a computer and internet are available in the Muddy Sneakers office.
• Some necessary communications requiring internet access and a device occur in the evenings and on weekends.

Education Requirements

A sufficient mastery of science concepts, natural history, and educational pedagogy, with professional experience, volunteer experience, life experience, or significant training sufficient to qualify applicant to work with 10-12 year old students in a naturalist instructor capacity.

Term and Compensation

Term of Position

Core Instructor positions are offered under two models:

• 10 months, 4 days per week; term of August 1 through end of May or early June
• 12 months, 5 days per week; term of August 1 through July 31.

Compensation

Pay is commensurate with experience depending on the individual’s level of education, advanced training, and years of teaching and leadership experience.

• 10-month/4-day Core Instructor salary ranges from $18,000 to $25,600 with a starting range of $18,000 to $21,200
• 12-month/5-day Core Instructor salary ranges from $26,600 to $39,200 with a starting range of $26,600 to $32,500

Benefits

• 3% 401k match
• Eligible for $1,000 end of term bonus
• $50 professional development reimbursement
• Eligible for cell phone stipend (up to $40/month)
• Partial mileage reimbursement
• Assigned time off for 3 weeks during Dec-Jan, 1 week in early Spring, and 1 week of sick days.
• Paid office holidays
• Respect for work-life harmony, including consideration of flexible schedules
• Pro deals discounts (30 – 50% off retail) with established brands
• Opportunity to build a legacy through strengthening public education and connecting children to nature
• Full-time 12-month position includes these additional benefits:
  • 10% of salary offered as healthcare stipend
  • Wellness program with associated annual stipend
  • Additional 1 week of assigned time off in June-July