Summer East Side Environmental Educator

Overview
Bird Alliance of Oregon ’s Summer East Side Environmental Educators are passionate nature enthusiasts and relationship builders excited to help us lead a summer of Sliding Scale camp based out of Portland east side. With a brand new east side location pick up and drop off we hope to expand access to our camps. Together, we’ll lead joyful, curious and collaborative camps outside for children from all socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. East Side Environmental Educators work together in small, diverse teams of 2-3 staff per camp who bring a wide range of professional and lived experience to our work. Through nature explorations, traveling to some of the East side’s best natural areas, music and art, quiet reflection and big belly laughs we encourage children to bring their whole selves to camp, find their growing edge and deepen their connection to nature and one another.

As an East Side Environmental Educator, You’re someone with experience in outdoor education or teaching in an informal setting (e.g. camps, parks, museums, community centers or comparable spaces), especially in socioeconomically and racially diverse environments. You love nature, and have some knowledge of ecology or natural history, ideally in the Pacific Northwest. It’s essential that all educators have a strong comfort working in multiracial teams, a dedication to creating an anti-racist learning environment, and a commitment to advancing equity and inclusion through their practice. Candidates with lived experience working with youth of color, immigrants, and people from working class families are highly encouraged to apply.

Camps will be based out of the East side where we will pick up and drop off and then transport kids to different natural areas around the East side. This program will run for 6 weeks with 2 weeks of training and the possibility of extension. Bird Alliance of Oregon has made a strong commitment to protect summer staff time – the regular schedule is designed to ensure an eight hour work day with early release on Fridays.

Responsibilities

• Work in consistent teams of 2-5 educators to lead 10 weeks of camp with a set age group
• Learn and teach 2, week-long camps (repeated 3 times) for a total of 6 weeks. Curriculum will be provided and you will be responsible for learning and implementing that curriculum
• Be ready to give and receive feedback in an open and growth oriented mindset
• Lead culturally responsive camps that build an inclusive and welcoming environment for all children
• Be responsive to various emotional and physical needs of the campers with age-appropriate behavior management interventions
• Celebrate the work of communities of color, LGBTQIA practitioners, and other historically marginalized voices in science and conservation throughout our programs
• Facilitate circle times and creative expression throughout the camp week
• Participate in a culture of mentorship and collaboration that supports the growth of Green Leaders and as well as other educators
• Assist with logistics around camp transportation, food, and equipment
• Ability to be certified in Basic First Aid and CPR

Skills

• 1+ years of experience leading programs with children of diverse ages and backgrounds
• 1+ years of experience in programs in informal or outdoor settings such as parks, playgrounds or forests
• 1 + years of experience facilitating positive behavior management with youth
• Demonstrated cultural competency and enthusiasm for working with diverse populations, including communities of color, immigrants, and underserved communities
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Knowledge of general forest ecology, Pacific Northwest natural history is ideal
• Comfort delivering programs in the field and in remote settings
• Able to work weekdays from 8AM-4PM
• Experience with music, art or other forms of creative expression desirable for some positions
• Some positions will be required to drive a 15 passenger van. No prior experience is needed but a willingness to learn and take on that responsibility is preferred.
• Second language abilities in addition to English (Spanish, Mandarin/Cantonese, Vietnamese, Somali, Russian) desirable
• Educators who have lived experience in a leadership program for young adults (either as participants or practitioners) are encouraged to apply!