Environmental Educator

The Environmental Educator supports the Katahdin Learning Project (KLP), an initiative of Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters (FKWW) that connects youth to their local landscapes, communities, and Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. Working with staff, partners, and volunteers, the Educator helps inspire curiosity, environmental stewardship, and a sense of place among students in the Katahdin region. 

For general management and support, the Educator works under the supervision of the Education Coordinator. This part-time position will ideally start on January 19th. The position will average 20 hours per week. Weeks with overnight trips or special programs may include additional hours, balanced by lighter weeks that bring the average to 20 hours. A small portion of the work may be completed remotely.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

School Year

• Teach hands-on, standards-linked lessons at schools and outdoor settings
• Lead students on hikes, paddles, and citizen science projects
• Facilitate outdoor skills, social-emotional learning and team-building activities
• Support week-long Vacation Camp programs during school breaks
• Lead approximately three overnight trips during the academic year
• Record participation data
• Maintain supplies, and assist with post-program cleanup and surveys

Summer

• Lead day and multi-day overnight excursions for middle and high school students, including hiking, biking, and paddling programs
• Ensure participant safety, foster teamwork, and create memorable learning experiences.
• Assist with trip planning and logistics
• Contribute to marketing and outreach through social media posts, photography, and flyers

Community Events (throughout year)

• Assist team leads with events such as Teacher Camp, Leave No Trace Trainer courses, and Stars Over Katahdin through preparation, facilitation, and participant support

Other duties

• Submit timecard on a biweekly basis
• Submit expense report on a monthly basis
• Additional relevant tasks may be assigned from other FKWW teams (Finance, Development, Grants, Operations, Events, and Communications)
• Attend a range of professional development opportunities when applicable and available

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

• Strong skills in safety, group management, problem-solving, environmental ethics, and lesson delivery across indoor and outdoor settings
• 2-3 years of experience working with children in indoor and/or outdoor environments
• Demonstrated experience and comfort in the outdoors, including hiking, camping, and canoeing. Basic knowledge of Maine’s natural history
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with staff, volunteers, and community partners
• Passion for youth development, environmental stewardship, and place-based education
• Clean driving and criminal record; background check required
• Must live in the Katahdin region
• Must be willing to acquire a Maine Rec Guide license if not already obtained

Preferred:

• Current First Aid and CPR Certification (Wilderness First Aid Preferred)
• Maine Recreation Guide
• Leave No Trace Level 1 or 2 Certification

WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The Educator should expect to be exposed to: heat/cold, outdoor and office environments, inclement weather, and biting insects.

This work requires computer access. Candidates are required to have access to a public or personal computer to communicate through email, use shared organizational documents, and submit time cards and expense reports.

Physical demands include: carrying a backpack up to 30 lbs, sitting, standing, camping, walking, hiking, kneeling, handling/repetitive motion, driving, use of keyboard or other digital dexterity, peripheral vision, use of written or verbal sources of information like reading reports, use of oral communication to perform work.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• The Environmental Educator is paid $23/hour, subject to federal and state tax withholdings.
• Part-time employees who work between 20 and 40 hours per week accrue Paid Time Off on a prorated basis.
• Professional development to acquire required certifications and skills as necessary.
• The Educator has the option to receive pro-rated health and dental benefits.
• Travel reimbursement to program sites is available to employees at the current federal rate per mile. Travel to the FKWW Patten office is not reimbursable. Expenses and travel are reimbursed on a monthly basis after the submission of an expense report.
• Pro-rated phone reimbursement

LOCATION & TRAVEL

The Educator is based out of the Friends of KWW office in Patten, Maine. Travel to other locations within the Katahdin Region is a frequent requirement of this job. The employee must maintain a reliable car and valid driver’s license. Travel on rough dirt roads will be required occasionally. 

PLEASE NOTE

This job description is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills or working conditions associated with the position.  While it is intended to accurately reflect the position’s activities and requirements, Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and assign other duties as necessary.

External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, must be able to perform the essential job functions (as listed on this job description) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by management on a case by case basis.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. Friends of Katahdin Woods and Waters employs without discrimination as to age, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics under federal, state, and local law. Our work environment reflects and recognizes the individual dignity of each employee and provides equal opportunity in all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, training, compensation, promotion, and all other conditions and privileges of employment.