Ecology Educator

We are seeking new members of our Educator team starting February 29th, 2024. A successful Educator is someone ready to invest their whole self, time, and energy into making our community, programs, and the experiences of our visiting schools and participants the best that they can be. As an Educator, you will work hard, long hours in a challenging job that will support immense growth as an educator and connection in an intentional community. You will gain valuable teaching skills, as well as experience with, and insight into, a successful non-profit. You will also gain experience hosting conference groups for farm and site experiences. We are looking for hard working individuals, who are excited to share place-based experiences with students and guests of all ages.

The Ecology School is an organization that works hard to practice what we teach and to teach with intention. Located at River Bend Farm in Saco, Maine, The Ecology School provides a variety of programming including conferences, workshops, camps, and school programs. Ecology Educators will work with our school programs in spring and fall and with a variety of youth and adult programs during the summer season. We are committed to making every program empowering, informative, nature-based, and fun for our participants and pour our hearts, energy, and time into our work.

Our strong, supportive community of Educators live nearby in offsite staff housing for the entirety of the term, allowing an opportunity to make lifelong connections with people from all across the country. The Ecology School’s team works to maintain a strong support system to ensure that our educators can deliver their very best lessons. An integral part of our mission is to use laughter and storytelling as key learning tools. This means our Educators are wearing costumes on a daily basis to perform educational skits and songs that help our students make connections.

Spring Term (February 29, 2024 – Mid June): Educators will focus on school programming, mostly working with 5th-8th grade students in overnight programming. Educators will also join in facilitation of outreach or day programs with students of all ages.

Summer Season (Mid-June – August): Summer will have the widest variety of activities for Ecology Educators. This will consist of group programs similar to the spring term, overnight camp programs (this includes overnight supervision of campers in dorms), and help to host adult programs on site. Program type and educator role will vary week to week. Weekend work will be required for some programming.

Fall Term (September – November): Programming is run similarly to Spring Term.
*We are looking for staff to join us for this full March-November timeline, but open to discuss shorter one-season options.

A successful Educator invests their time, energy, and enthusiasm into providing exceptional program experiences and contributing to a dynamic and supportive community.

Compensation & Benefits

• A starting stipend of $450 per week. Returning Educators are eligible for additional compensation.
• Free, furnished housing for the duration of employment, including weekends
• Meals are provided during onsite overnight programming and supplemental food is provided for off-site programming. Many dietary accommodations are available.
• Access to farm-fresh produce
• Extensive training in outdoor education and imbedded staff development
• Access to our private Saco River waterfront and boating equipment
• Free Ecology School gear including a T-shirt, water bottle, stickers, field guide, and curriculum guide
• Eligibility for Pro Deals
• Free laundry machine use

Outcomes

• Experience preparing and implementing lesson plans and adapting content to a wide variety of different learners.
• A deeper understanding of your personal teaching style, strengths, and skillset through experience and feedback.
• Connection to our extended community of professional environmental educators who make up an informed, passionate, and fun-loving network.

Responsibilities

• Plan, prepare for, and teach lessons to a group of approximately 12 students generally between 3rd and 8th grade.
• Deliver outdoor lessons, including both day and evening programs.
• Attend and participate in meals (usually sitting at a student table to share the meal and engage students).
• Perform various assigned duties (3-5 per week) such as breakfast or lunch dishes, recreation or dorm supervision, and site set up/clean up.
• Work long, often strenuous hours, mostly outdoors. Working with our overnight school programming typically begins at 8am and ends at 8:30pm with prep and break time within that shift.
• Adhere to a set schedule.
• Drive to and from outreach programs on occasion. Mileage will be reimbursed and a car is not required.
• Assist in hosting adult programs and conferences on campus; could include help in the kitchen, farm and site tours, or water front support.
• Supervise summer academy students in the dorms overnight.
• Support youth and adults in safely kayaking or canoeing during our summer academy (with some training provided).
• Attend all scheduled meetings.
• Participate in pre-lesson and mealtime educational skits and songs.
• Assist in developing curriculum, skits, and program materials for The Ecology School.
• Consult with Ecology School Program Admin and teachers/chaperones to make decisions regarding youth conduct.
• Develop good rapport and positive relations with guests, youth, and fellow educators.
• Live in staff housing with co-workers.

Qualifications

• Willingness to be a strong contributor to a living and learning community of ecology educators.
• Ability to work long, often strenuous hours, mostly outdoors, managing groups of children.
• Ability to adapt and problem solve in-the-moment.
• Experience working with K-8th grade children.
• BS or BA degree or equivalent life/work experience.
• Completed training in CPR and First Aid prior to employment.
• Willingness to learn content and methodology and an openness to feedback.
• Experience as a lifeguard or in working with a variety of learners (multi-lingual, neuro-diverse, etc.) learners is helpful.

To apply, please submit an application (form found on website www.theecologyschool.org), cover letter, and resume to: Erin Shultz, Program Manager, erin@theecologyschool.org. Positions will be filled on a rolling basis and applications accepted until positions are filled.

The Ecology School provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type with regards to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.