Coyote Outdoor School Lead Instructor

Type of work required: Work will consist of moving around the program site outdoors, leading activities and supporting students; cleaning and maintaining the site (80%); participating in meetings, events, and trainings indoors, outdoors, or remotely (10%); communicating and collaborating with other staff in person or via electronic devices (7%); and reviewing information and resources on printed materials or electronic devices (3%). We will make reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants to perform job functions. 

Overnight programs are held at Camp Baker, located in Florence, OR, which is 1 hour and 20 minutes from Eugene. Staff are expected to work longer hours during overnight programs; however, programs are 4-days/3-nights or 3-days/2-nights in length. Day-only programs are held at Mount Pisgah, located in Eugene, OR. Staff are to work 7-9 hour days for 3-day or 4-day programs. Employees can expect 35-44 hours per week, depending on the program. Employees are responsible for transporting themselves to and from the program site via person vehicle or carpool. 

Other details: 

• Offer of employment is contingent on successful passing of an Oregon Department of Education background check, at no cost to the employee.
• Offer of employment is contingent upon submission of Proof of eligibility to work in the United States as dictated on the Federal I-9 form
• Employees must obtain or provide proof of a current First Aid+CPR certification for adults and children; provided by the employer at no cost to the employee.

LEAD INSTRUCTOR JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead activities, teach curriculum, and manage groups of students with support from volunteers and program leaders.
• Facilitate culturally-responsive lessons that encourage student voice and choice, curiosity, observation, cooperation, and nature connection.
• Use equitable approaches to engage all students in land-based learning, including youth who are: BIPOC, LGBTQ+, Neurodivergent or English Language Learners; and/or who have behavioral needs.
• Encourage and support students to participate in discussions, activities, stories, games and/or songs.
• Treat participants with kindness and respect while consistently maintaining group agreements.
• Clean the site weekly, organize materials, and assist set up and break down of program spaces.
• Use trauma-informed group management strategies to support student needs.
• Ensure safety of all participants at all times and maintain participant confidentiality.
• Provide support to school teachers and chaperones to ensure all group needs are met.
• Communicate with program leaders about challenges during programs such as hazards or conflicts.
• Respect and preserve land and facilities for current and future users.
• Adhering to organizational, site, and camp policies at all times.

REQUIRED SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Interest in youth development and outdoor programming.
• Ability to deliver outdoor education lessons, games and activities, using resources and training.
• Ability and/or experience managing small and large groups, facilitating songs, activities, games, storytelling, wilderness skills, and more.
• Ability to compassionately lead diverse groups of fifth- and sixth-grade students outdoors, meeting students where they are at with sensitivity to students’ life experiences and needs.
• Commitment to creating an inclusive environment for all students, especially students who have been excluded in outdoor education like students with disabilities, BIPOC students, and LGBTQ+ youth.
• Commitment to creating a clean and safe learning environment including site cleaning duties and assessing risks.

OTHER DESIRED SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS (NOT REQUIRED)

• Prior experience working with youth, particularly outdoors.
• Skills or knowledge in ecology, culture, conservation, wilderness skills (fire, journaling, navigation, shelter, archery), music, crafting, teambuilding, or storytelling
• Proficiency or fluency in Spanish.
• Experience or education in childhood development, particularly equity-centered and trauma-informed.
• Must have access to reliable transportation to and from the site, which may include carpooling with other instructors.