Summer Farm & Naturalist Instructor

ABOUT SIENNA RANCH

Sienna Ranch provides immersive nature programming, farm education and compelling outdoor experiences for youth pre-K to teen. Our program offerings include woodshop, natural building, archery, horseback riding, gardening, science, pottery, survival skills, naturalist skills and much more. Sienna Ranch is situated on a 21-acre family-owned ranch in Lafayette, CA. 

POSITION SUMMARY 

The Sienna Ranch Summer Day Camp Counselors are responsible for creatively adapting and delivering dynamic nature-based curriculum to small groups of youth age pre-K to teen. Camp sessions include themes such as farm/ranch animal interactions, survival skills, nature-based art and wild crafts, animal tracking, and hiking adventures. Additional activities include archery, pottery, woodshop, gardening, animal care, and wilderness skills. Counselors and campers will be fully immersed in “ranch life” including caring for our farm animals (goats, sheep, horses, ducks, chickens), learning about edible wild plants, and cooking from our garden. 

Instructors will cultivate a sense of curiosity and discovery of the natural world through inquiry-based teaching, hands-on lessons, animal interactions, and nature exploration. Instructors model enthusiasm for all aspects of nature and weather conditions and consistently incorporate themes of stewardship, gratitude, and wonder.  

SCHEDULE SUMMARY

Non-exempt/hourly. Seasonal. Full-time (30-35 hours/week). 

Summer Dates: 

• Duration of employment May 23 – August 15th, 2025
• Mandatory Training May 23, 26-30
• Week long M-F day camps begin June 2nd. 11 weeks in total. Instructors are required to work 10 out of the 11 weeks. (Please note this is a day camp program, not an overnight camp and does not include accomodations)

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Teach nature and farm camps according to the key program values and curriculum overview
• Independently manage groups of 8-10 students, facilitating group games, arts and craft activities, cooking, and nature skills
• Maintain prompt and professional email communication with Ranch administration, proactively communicating any issues which may arise
• Lead summer camp activities as designated by Sienna Ranch Directors
• Take responsibility for the safety, education and happiness of all participants in your camp
• Encourage respect between participants, as well as respect for the Ranch animals, equipment, and facilities
• Ensure appropriate and safe behavior for all participants, utilizing the Sienna Ranch Parent/Guardian Report system when necessary
• Demonstrate impeccable time management and reliably arrive to classes on time as well as prep before classes, clean up afterwards, and care for equipment, supplies and facilities.
• Confidently hike on uneven or undeveloped terrain with groups of  children, finding and following nature mysteries, and facilitating unstructured nature exploration

REQUIREMENTS

• At least 1 year experience in outdoor education or related field
• Must be 18 years or older
• A sincere passion for connecting children to nature, mentoring young people, and working with youth outside in all weather
• Ability to improvise, be creative, proactive and flexible, with a strong back pocket of nature games and activities
• Thrive in professional environment with minimal supervision
• Ability to lead curriculum, activities, games and projects as assigned, and to follow a strict daily timetable
• Ability to facilitate unstructured nature exploration
• Ability to patiently and positively mentor youth from a wide variety of cultural backgrounds, ages and experiences
• Ability to patiently and positively communicate with parents
• Committed to being a solution-oriented, self-motivated community member in a cooperative, team-oriented atmosphere
• Be a model of kindness, flexibility and professionalism
• Able to check and respond to email communications within 24 business hours
• Be able to confidentially hike up to 6 miles per day at a brisk pace on uneven or undeveloped terrain with groups of children, finding and following nature mysteries, and facilitating unstructured nature exploration
• Current First Aid and CPR for Adult and Child certifications, COVID Vaccination, and clear TB test results (or ability to acquire before first day or work), and ability to pass FBI/DOJ background check for working with children
• Certificate of completion for California Child Abuse Mandated Reporter Training
• Able to independently and confidently interact with farm animals, experience with horses a plus
• Able to hold boundaries with students and comfortable upholding consequences when necessary with priority for positive-discipline based approaches.

COMPENSATION

• Rate Range: $20-21/hour, depending on experience