Field Instructor – Piedmont NC

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 position of Field Instructor for Muddy Sneakers (MS) is a part-time (2-5 days per week) seasonal position. Field Instructors are responsible for delivering high quality, science and nature programming in an outdoor setting while maintaining students’ safety and implementing respectful and positive behavior management techniques when necessary. Field Instructors serve an important role within the organization. Their enthusiasm, knowledge, education & facilitation skills, sensitivity to the needs of the students, and overall commitment to the organization are essential for its success.Field Instructors will report directly to their local Program Manager.

Experience, Skills, and Abilities

Strong candidates will be committed to the Muddy Sneaker 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
• 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
• Previous teaching experience
• Current Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder Certification, as well as Child and Adult CPR, completed before first day of work. This 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)

Field 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
• Work individually, cooperatively in a team, and respectfully within the framework of the administration and organization
• 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/Program Delivery

Provide high quality field instruction to 5th grade students, beginning with thorough preparation for the topic and including creative, age-appropriate instruction and activities

• Ensure exemplary field safety
• Facilitate expected curriculum content with good time management
• Guide appropriate student behavior and implement skillful group management in an outdoor classroom
• Arrive at the field site on time with an instructor kit, a charged radio, and first aid kit
• Observe professional codes of conduct and dress codes including uniform expectations
• If appropriate, contribute to ongoing support of Muddy Sneakers Classroom Curriculum and delivery of Muddy Sneakers Live! Online virtual sessions

Resupply/Logistics

• Help to maintain and organize the field vehicle and resupply equipment
• Maintain individual instructor kit, keeping materials organized and in good condition
• Coordinate with the Program Manager or assigned Core Field Instructor when resupply items are needed
• Communicate with instructing team via email before the expedition, contributing to carpooling and vehicle logistics
• Drive Muddy Sneakers fleet vehicles (including 15-passenger vans) to and from expedition sites when necessary; accommodations may be possible for staff that do not hold a valid driver license

Administrative Duties

• Submit pay and mileage logs on time each month
• Complete mid- and end-of- season personal evaluation forms and review meetings with supervisor
• Complete peer reviews in the field as assigned
• Submit applicable reports following incidents during expedition

Staff Meetings/Trainings

• Attend multi-day trainings at the beginning of each semester and other training days as scheduled

Physical Demands, Working Environment, and Working Conditions

• Environmental: Work is almost entirely in outdoor conditions including occasional mildly inclement weather in all seasons
• 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, using a backpack to carry field gear.

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: Field Instructor positions are part time, seasonal positions with a weekly commitment of 2-5 days of work. The season runs from mid August through the end of May.