Naturalist Internship

San Mateo County Office of Education 

is seeking

NATURALIST INTERNS

For the 2026-2027 School Year

We are looking for motivated educators looking to guide students from California’s San Mateo County  through the outdoors for the 2026-27 school year. We are committed to equity, inclusion, and diversity and welcome applicants from all backgrounds to live and work in community together and serve as role models and leaders for youth as they learn about themselves and their world.   San Mateo Outdoor Education is a five-day residential outdoor education program nestled in an old growth redwood forest in the Santa Cruz Mountains.  

Our naturalist interns will learn all aspects of a residential outdoor education program.  These include teaching groups of fifth and sixth grade students through educational hikes that explore habitats on the Coastal Range – redwood forest, chaparral, mountains, Pacific Ocean, tide pools, brackish marsh, pond and stream ecosystems.  Curriculum and inquiry based, student centered activities tie directly to the Next Generation Science Standards.  Interns lead meals and evening activities including: night hike, ocean prep class, earth dance, and campfire programs as well as lessons in our organic teaching garden.   Interns also learn our office roles, including supporting cabin leaders and doing school presentations at elementary schools before their trip.   The internship also includes staff training and weekly professional development.

Contract Terms: September 8, 2026 to May 22, 2027 (excluding one week for Thanksgiving, three weeks for Winter Break, and Spring Break).

Compensation: A wage of $17.95 an hour for 29.5 hours of work per week and additional cost allocated to cover housing in a private room within a shared house for the contract duration. Meals will be provided on weekdays. This is an internship position; no health benefits, retirement, or paid time off are provided beyond sick hours.  This internship includes three weeks of paid training,  weekly professional development, and a stipend to cover the Spring AEOE Conference.

Qualifications: Experience working with students, interest in building a shared community, openness to learn and grow as an educator and community member.  Must commit to fulfilling the entire length of the contract term.

Application Deadline: Please send all of your materials by April 10th, 2026.  

For more information see our website: https://www.smcoe.org/for-communities/programs/outdoor-education.html

Meet our current staff and interns here: https://www.smcoe.org/for-families/attending-outdoor-education/meet-the-staff.html