Staff Instructor

Job Description:

The Staff Instructor is a seasonal contract, full-time member of the professional education team for IslandWood. During the school year, the Staff Instructor will work to support Islandwood’s education programs including the School Overnight Program, Summer Camp, various day programs, Community Education, and Event programs through instruction and support.

Job Type: Full-time/Contract Seasonal Feb 24, 2026 through August 8 2026.

Work Schedule: During school year:  Monday through Friday varied schedule between 7:00am to 9:30pm

Work Hours: 40 hours per week

Pay Rate: $24.00/HR

Location: Bainbridge Island, WA

Responsibilities: 

• Provide high quality, culturally responsive instruction in natural and cultural history, ecology, and stewardship to multi-cultural elementary-aged students from diverse backgrounds: language, racial/ethnic, socio-economic, geographic, ability groupings for School Overnight, Summer Camp, various day, community education, and events
• Provide program support beyond instruction for School Overnight Program, including but not limited to curriculum development, community education, modelling lessons for graduate student instructors, school orientation, supply inventorying/space stewardship, the design and implementation of alternative school programming, leading and supporting meals, and leading and supporting evening programs
• Partner with the Garden Manager in the use of the garden as a teaching tool
• Lead schoolyard programming occasionally as needed in partnership with the Urban School Programs team
• Assist registrar with school communications, orientations, and special projects related to impact
• Attend relevant Education Team meetings and/or training as schedule allows
• Develop a professional growth plan for the season
• Assist in the upkeep of program areas such as the gear library, garden, and art studio
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor

Required Qualifications:

• Ability to contribute to a positive culture in a variety of settings including elementary age students, graduate students, and IslandWood staff.
• Must be able to participate in all key weeks of SOP as designated by Supervisor (busiest months are April and May)
• Must be able to participate in all weeks of Summer Camp (6/29/26 to 8/8/26)
• Commitment to support IslandWood’s work towards justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace
• At least two years of direct teaching experience in formal or non-formal settings
• Bachelor’s degree in environmental education, education, natural sciences, environmental studies, related field or equivalent experience.
• Basic knowledge of natural history and/or desire to increase knowledge of local flora and fauna, and cultural history
• Understanding of and first-hand experience in multicultural and culturally responsive education
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Lesson planning experience
• Wilderness First Aid and CPR certification (we can provide this training with a fee)
• Demonstrate IslandWood’s core values that enable teams and individuals to succeed with shared respect and purpose
• Support IslandWood’s strategic plan to expand our mission and impact, and commitment to the mission, vision, values and goals of IslandWood.
• Must pass child safety screening procedure; post-offer
• Must be able to comply with and maintain a smoke-free, drug-free, and fragrance-free work environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Completion of IslandWood’s graduate program in Education, Environment and Community
• Experience teaching outdoors
• Master’s degree in education or related field or equivalent experience
• Classroom teaching experience

Paid Time off annual benefit:  

IslandWood offers  paid vacation which is accrued at 5 hours per pay period, 8 hours of floating holiday, 3 annual IslandWood paid holidays (that are applicable during contract period) and 80 hours of paid annual sick leave. Prorated based on date of hire and length of service.

IslandWood is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes applications from qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. We encourage diverse applicants because we believe having a staff that authentically reflects the community we serve is critical to our ability to be culturally responsive